Retracted : Baicalin prevents tumor necrosis factor‚ÄêŒ±‚àíinduced apoptosis and dysfunction of pancreatic Œ≤‚Äêcell line Min6 via upregulation of miR‚Ä?05
Authors: Wenjun You
Lijuan Song
Changhong Yu
Kun Wang
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Min6 cell; baicalin (BAI); miR-205; tumor necrosis factor-Œ± (TNF-Œ±); type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
Affiliations: Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China., Department of Endocrinology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China., First Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China.

Abstract:  Baicalin (BAI), one major flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis, possesses anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of BAI on diabetes mellitus has not been investigated. This study explored the antidiabetic effect of BAI on pancreatic Œ≤-cell line Min6. Min6 cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-Œ± (TNF-Œ±) to mimic Œ≤-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes mellitus. The effects of BAI on viability and apoptosis of Min6 cells were analyzed by the cell counting kit-8 assay and Annexin V-fluoresceine isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining method. The insulin secretion of Min6 cells was determined using radioimmunoassay. Expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and nuclear factor ŒöB (NF-Œ∫B) pathways were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Relative microRNA-205 (miR-205) expression was determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. TNF-Œ± treatment inhibited cell growth and insulin secretion, but promoted iNOS expression. All of these effects were reversed by BAI treatment. BAI promoted viability; suppressed apoptosis; regulated caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein; decreased iNOS level; and increased insulin production. BAI protected Min6 cells by upregulating miR-205. Besides, the Min6 cell-protective effect of BAI was PI3K/AKT pathway and NF-Œ∫B pathway dependent. BAI activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibited the NF-Œ∫B pathway by regulating miR-205. In conclusion, BAI protected Min6 cells from TNF-Œ±-induced injury by upregulating miR-205, which acts, at least in part, via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and inactivation of the NF-Œ∫B pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 The Western blots and other figures in this paper have an interesting layout that appears to be shared with many other papers, as discussed in a January 2020 post on Leonid Schneider s blog: https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing In almost all papers, Western blot panels within the same figure, and across figures and papers, appear to share the same background, while the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges without the usual smudges and specks, and with some bands showing a recognizable  jumping sardine shape. Also in almost all papers, bar graphs show a characteristic layout with bars in solid shades of grey, and the left-most bar in black, as well as double-edged error bars. Many papers have  cell viability and  apoptotic cells graphs. To illustrate the recognizable layout of the graphs in this paper, here is Figure 1.  , 
 Retraction: [08 February 2021] . --------------------------------------------- The above article, published online on 30 July 2018 in Wiley Online Library , has been retracted by agreement between the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. Several flaws and inconsistencies between results presented and experimental methods described were found, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. The authors collaborated in the investigation initially, but were not available for a final confirmation of the retraction. , 
 An investigation by Jining First People s Hospital (the authors institution), released 29 December 2021: https: www.jnrmyy.com keyan kxyj gonggao 2021 1229 6607.html -------------------------- 6. The paper  Baicalin prevents tumor necrosis factor-u03b1-induced apoptosis and dysfunction of pancreatic u03b2-cell line Min6 via upregulation of miR is published by Song Lijuan as the corresponding author, You Wenjun as the first author, and Wang Kun as the co-first author. u2010205u201d, after investigation, it is an academic misconduct of tampering with data and fabricating the research process. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Song Lijuan (corresponding author): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancel the nomination or recommender, nominated or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for one year; order to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; warning from the party. You Wenjun (first author, merged with another paper): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 6 years; cancellation of 6 years as a nominee or recommender, nominee or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; recover the author s personal research awards and honorary titles; revoke the higher-level professional and technical positions that have been obtained; postpone promotion 3 A senior professional and technical position; a warning within the party. Wang Kun (tied as the first author): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans, etc. within 5 years; Membership or membership of academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc. that have been obtained; deferment of promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for 1 year; administrative warning. The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University made the following treatment to Yu Changhong (participating author): admonishing the conversation. ,