Dr. Jiankang Liu, PhD

Professor and Dean

School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

University of Southern California (USC School of Pharmacy)

Career Summary

1997-1999 Assistant Professional Res Biochemist, University of California at Berkeley, CA
2000-2002 Assistant Staff Scientist, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, CA
2003-2006 Associate Staff Scientist, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute and Associate Research Professor, University of California at Berkeley
2003-2008 Guest Professor and Director of the Lab of Nutrition and Aging, Institute for Nutritional Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai
Irvine , CA, and Children’s Hospital Oearch Institute, CA, USA
2006-2008 Associate Research Professor, Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, University of California, Irvine, CA
2008-2012 Professor, Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY
2011- Dean, Xi’an Jiaotong University School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
2012- Adjunct Professor, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy

Specialized field

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging, stress, and age-/stress-associated degenerative diseases with a focus on mitochondrial and redox biology and medicine

Research publications (selected from more than 160 papers)

1 Wang X, Feng Z, Wang X, Yang L, Han S, Cao K, Xu J, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Liu J.: O-GlcNAcase deficiency suppresses skeletal myogenesis and insulin sensitivity in mice through the modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis. Diabetologia. 2016 Mar 18. [Epub ahead of print]

2 Peng Y, Liu J, Shi L, Tang Y, Gao D, Long J, Liu J.: Mitochondrial dysfunction precedes depression of AMPK/AKT signaling in insulin resistance induced by high glucose in primary cortical neurons. J Neurochem. 2016 Mar 1. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13563. [Epub ahead of print]

3 Yan C, Sun W, Wang X, Long J, Liu X, Feng Z, Liu J.: Punicalagin attenuates palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in HepG2 cells by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant defense system. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 Mar 15. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201500490. [Epub ahead of print]

4 Wang P, Jia L, Chen B, Zhang L, Liu J, Long J, Li Y.: Hydrogen Inhalation is Superior to Mild Hypothermia in Improving Cardiac Function and Neurological Outcome in an Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest Model of Rats. Shock. 2016 Feb 3. [Epub ahead of print]

5 Hou C, Wang Y, Zhu E, Yan C, Zhao L, Wang X, Qiu Y, Shen H, Sun X, Feng Z, Liu J*, Long J*.: Coral calcium hydride prevents hepatic steatosis in high fat diet-induced obese rats: a potent mitochondrial nutrient and phase II enzyme inducer. Biochem Pharmacol. 2016 Jan 13. pii: S0006-2952(16)00023-X. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.12.020. [Epub ahead of print]

6 Cao K, Xu J, Pu W, Dong Z, Sun L, Zang W, Gao F, Zhang Y, Feng Z* and Liu J*.: Punicalagin, an active component in pomegranate, ameliorates cardiac mitochondrial impairment in obese rats via AMPK activation. Sci Rep 2015 Sep 15;5:14014. doi: 10.1038/srep14014.

7 Tang Y, Peng Y, Liu J, Shi L, Wang Y, Long J* and Liu J*: Early inflammation-associated factors blunt sterol regulatory element-binding proteins-1-mediated lipogenesis in high-fat diet-fed APPSWE/PSEN1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. J Nueorchem 2015 Nov 18. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13437. [Epub ahead of print]

8 Yang L, Luo C, Chen C, Wang X, Shi W, Liu J*: All-trans retinoic acid protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by activating the Erk2 signalling pathway. Br J Pharmacol. 2016 Jan;173(2):357-71. doi: 10.1111/bph.13377. Epub 2015 Dec 19.

9 Liu J, Peng Y, Wang X, Fan Y, Qin C, Shi L, Tang Y, Li H, Long J* and Liu J*: Mitochondrial dysfunction launches dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy via AMPK/FOXO3 signaling. Mol Pharmaceut 2016 Jan 4;13(1):73-84. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00516. Epub 2015 Dec 17.

10 Gao J, Zou X, Yang L, Feng Z*, Liu J*: Hydroxytyrosol protects against acrolein induced preosteoblast cell toxicity: involvement of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. J Funct Foods 2015 (in press)

11 Chen C, Han X, Zou X, Li Y, Yang L, Cao K, Xu J, Long J, Liu J, Feng Z.: 4-methylene-2-octyl-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acid (C75), an inhibitor of fatty-acid synthase, suppresses the mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis pathway and impairs mitochondrial function. J Biol Chem. 2014 Jun 13;289(24):17184-94. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M114.550806. Epub 2014 May 1

12 Qu X, Shen L, Zheng Y, Cui Y, Feng Z, Liu F, Liu J: A signal transduction pathway from TGF-?1 to SKP2 via Akt1 and c-Myc and its correlation with progression in human melanoma. J Invest Dermatol. 2014 Jan;134(1):159-67. doi: 10.1038/jid. 2013.281. Epub 2013 Jun 21.

13 Zou X, Yan C, Shi Y, Cao K, Xu J, Wang X, Chen C, Luo C, Li Y, Gao J, Pang W, Zhao J, Zhao F, Li H, Zheng A, Sun W, Long J, Szeto IM, Zhao Y, Dong Z, Zhang P, Wang J, Lu W, Zhang Y, Liu J, Feng Z.: Mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: the protective effects of pomegranate with its active component punicalagin. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2014 Oct 10;21(11):1557-70. doi: 10.1089/ars.2013.5538. Epub 2014 Feb 18.

14 Xu J, Cao K, Li Y, Zou X, Chen C, Szeto IM, Dong Z, Zhao Y, Shi Y, Wang J, Liu J, Feng Z.: Bitter gourd inhibits the development of obesity-associated fatty liver in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. J Nutr. 2014 Apr;144(4):475-83. doi: 10.3945/ jn.113.187450. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

15 Liu J, Peng Y, Feng Z, Shi W, Qu L, Li Y, Liu J, Long J.: Reloading functionally ameliorates disuse-induced muscle atrophy by reversing mitochondrial dysfunction, and similar benefits are gained by administering a combination of mitochondrial nutrients. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Apr; 69:116-28. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed. 2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

16 Cao K, Zheng A, Xu J, Li H, Liu J, Peng Y, Long J, Zou X, Li Y, Chen C, Liu J, Feng Z.: AMPK activation prevents prenatal stress-induced cognitive impairment: modulation of mitochondrial content and oxidative stress. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Oct; 75:156-66. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.07.029. Epub 2014 Aug 1.

17 Cao K, Xu J, Zou X, Li Y, Chen C, Zheng A, Li H, Li H, Szeto IM, Shi Y, Long J, Liu J*, Feng Z*.: Hydroxytyrosol prevents diet-induced metabolic syndrome and attenuates mitochondrial abnormalities in obese mice. Free Radic Biol Med. 2013 Dec 6; 67C:396-407. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2013.11.029. [Epub ahead of print]

18 Shen W, Tian C, Chen H, Yang Y, Zhu D, Gao P, Liu J.:Oxidative stress mediates chemerin-induced autophagy in endothelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med., 2013 Feb;55:73-82. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.11.011. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

19 Feng Z, Zou X, Jia H, Li X, Zhu Z, Liu X, Bucheli P, Ballevre O, Hou Y, Zhang W, Wang J, Chen Y and Liu J: Maternal docosahexaenoic acid feeding protects against impairment of learning and memory and oxidative stress in prenatally stressed rats: Possible role of neuronal mitochondria metabolism. Antioxid Redox Signal 16(3):275-89; 2012

20 Feng Z, Bai L, Yan J, Li Y, Shen W, Wang Y, Wertz K, Weber P, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Liu J.: Mitochondrial dynamic remodeling in strenuous exercise-induced muscle and mitochondrial dysfunction: Regulatory effects of hydroxytyrosol. Free Radic Biol Med. 50(10):1437-46, 2011.

21 Zou X, Feng Z, Li Y, Wang Y, Wertz K, Weber P, Chen Y and Liu J: Stimulation of GSH synthesis to prevent oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by hydroxytyrosol in human retinal pigment epithelial cells: Activation of Nrf2 and JNK-p62/SQSTM1 pathways. J. Nutr Biochem 2012 Aug;23(8):994-1006. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio. 2011.05.006. Epub 2011 Sep 19.

22 Yan J, Feng Z, Liu J, Shen W, Wang Y, Wertz K, Weber P, Long J, and Liu J: Enhanced autophagy plays a cardinal role in mitochondrial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats: Ameliorating effects of (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. J. Nutr Biochem 2012 Jul;23(7):716-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.03.014. Epub 2011 Aug 4.

23 Shen W, Hao J, Feng Z, Tian C, Chen W, Packer L, Shi X, Zang W, Liu J.: Lipoamide or lipoic acid stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via the endothelial NO synthase-cGMP-protein kinase G signalling pathway. Brit J Pharmacol. 2011 Mar;162(5):1213-24.

24 Hao, J., Shen, W., Yu, G., Jia, H., Li, X., Feng, Z., Wang, Y., Weber, P., Wertz, K., Sharman, E., and Liu J.: Hydroxytyrosol promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial function in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. J Nutr Biochem 2010 Jul;21(7):634-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.03.012. Epub 2009 Jul 2.

25 Jia H, Liu Z., Li X., Feng Z., Hao J., Li X., Shen W, Zhang H., Gao H, and Liu J: Anti-Parkinsonism activity of high doses of B vitamins in a chronic cellular model and an ?-synuclein transgenic Drosophila model. Neurobiol. Aging 31(4):636-46? 2010

26 Zhang H, Jia H, Liu JH, ShenW, Ao N, Wang X, and Liu J: Combination of R-a–Lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in a rotenone-treated human neuroblastoma cellular model of Parkinson’s disease. J Cell Mol Med 14:33-43, 2010 z

27 Cai X, Hao J, Zhang X, Yu B, Ren J, Luo C, Li Q, Huang Q, Li W, Shi, X, and Liu J: The polyhydroxylated fullerene derivative C60(OH)24 protects mice from ionizing radiation-induced immune and mitochondrial dysfunction. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol 243(1):27-34. 2010

28 Feng Z, Liu Z, Li X, Jia H, Sun L, Tian C and Liu J: ?-Tocopherol is an effective phase II enzyme inducer: Protective effects on acrolein-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. J Nutr Biochem 21(12):1222-31, 2010.

29 Zhu L, Liu Z, Feng Z, Hao J, Shen W, Li X, Sun L, Sharman E, Wang Y, Wertz K, Weber P, Shi, X and Liu J: Hydroxytyrosol protects oxidative damage by simultaneous activation of mitochondrial biogenesis and phase II enzyme systems in retinal pigment epithelial cells. J Nutr Biochem 21(11):1089-98, 2010.

30 Liu J, Shen W, Zhao B, Wang Y, Wertz K, Weber P, Zhang P: Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis for preventing and treating insulin resistance in diabetes and obesity: Hope from natural mitochondrial nutrients. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 61:1343-52, 2009.

31 Long J, Gao H, Sun L, X. Shi, Liu J*, Zhao-Wilson X*: Grape Extract Protects Mitochondria from Oxidative Damage and Improves Locomotor Dysfunction and Extends Lifespan in a Drosophila Parkinson’s Disease Model. Rejuv Res 12: 321-31, 2009.

32 Hao J, Shen W, Ren J, Tian C, Li X, Long J, and Liu J: Mitochondrial nutrients improve immune dysfunction in the type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. J Cell Mol Med 13, 701-11,2009.

33 Li X, Liu Z, Luo C, Jia X, Sun L, Hou B, Shen W, Packer L, Cotman CW, and Liu J: Lipoamide protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Free Radic Biol Med 44:1465-74, 2008.

34 Shen W, Liu K, Tian C, Yang L, Li X, Ren J, Packer L, Cotman CW, and Liu J: R-?-Lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine complementarily promote mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Diabetologia 51:165-174, 2008.

35 Liu J: The effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial nutrient ?-lipoic acid on improving age-associated mitochondrial and cognitive dysfunction: an overview. Neurochem Res 33:194-203, 2008.

36 Liu Z, Sun L, Zhu L, Jia X, Li X, Jia H, Wang Y, Weber P, Long J, and Liu J: Hydroxytyrosol protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from acrolein-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. J Neurochem103:2690-2700 2007.

37 Jia, L., Liu ,Z., Sun, L., Miller, S. S., Cotman, C. W., Ames, B. N., and Liu, J.: Acrolein, a toxicant in cigarette smoke, causes oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal pigment epithelial cells: Protection by (R)–lipoic acid. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 48:339-348, 2007.

38 Sun, LJ, Luo, C., Long, JG, Wei, DZ, and Liu, J.: Acrolein is a mitochondrial toxin: Effects on respiratory function and enzyme activities in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Mitochondrion 6:136-142 2006.

39 Liu, J. and Ames, B. N.: Reducing mitochondrial decay with mitochondrial nutrients to delay and treat cognitive dysfunction, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Nutr Neurosci 8:67-89, 2005

40 Voloboueva, L. A., Liu, J., Suh, J. H., Ames, B. N. and Miller, S. S.: R-alpha-Lipoic acid protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative damage. Invest Ophth Vis Sci 46:4302-4310, 2005.

41 Liu, J., Killilea, D., and Ames, B.N.: Age-associated mitochondrial oxidative decay: Improvement of carnitine acetyltransferase substrate binding affinity and activity in brain by feeding old rats acetyl-L-carnitine and/or R-a-lipoic acid. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99: 1876-1881, 2002.

42 Liu., J., Head, E., Gharib, A., Yuan, W., Ingersoll, R. T., Hange, T. M., Cotman, C. W., and Ames, B.N.: Memory loss in old rats is associated with brain mitochondrial decay and RNA/DNA oxidation: Partial reversal by feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and/or R-a-lipoic acid. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99: 2356-2361, 2002.

43 Hagen, T. M., Liu, J., Lykesfeldt, J., Wehr, C. M., Ingersoll, R.T., Vinasky, V., Bartholmew, J.C., and Ames, B.N.: Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats significantly improves metabolic function while decreasing oxidative stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99: 1870-1875, 2002.

44 Head, E., Liu, J., Hagen, T. M., Muggenburg, B. A., Milgram, N. W., Ames, B. N. and Cotman, C. W.: Oxidative damage increases with age in a canine model of human brain aging. J Neurochem 82:375-381, 2002.

45 Liu, J., Kuratsune, H., Atamna, H., and Ames, B.N.: Delaying brain mitochondrial decay and aging with mitochondrial antioxidants and metabolites. Ann New York Acad Sci 959: 133-166, 2002.

46 Liu, J., Yeo, H. C., Overvik, E., Doniger, S. J., Chu, D., Hagen, T. M., Brooks, G. A. and Ames, B. N.: Acutely and chronically exercised rats: biomarkers of oxidative stress and endogenous antioxidants. J Appl Physiol 89:21-28. 2000.