[Mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pills in treatment of mice with diminished ovarian reserve based on proteomics].

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pills in the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve(DOR) by using proteomic techniques. Firstly, cyclophosphamide(60 mg·kg~(-1)) combined with busulfan(6 mg·kg~(-1)) was injected intraperitoneally to establish the mouse model of DOR. After drug injection, the mice were continuously observed and the success of modeling was evaluated by the disturbance of the estrous cycle. After successful modeling, the mice were administrated with the suspension of Liuwei Dihuang Pills by gavage for 28 days. At the end of the gavage, four female mice were selected and caged together with males at a ratio of 2∶1 for the determination of the pregnancy rate. Blood and ovary samples were collected from the remaining mice on the next day after the end of gavage. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) were then employed to observe the morphological and ultrastructural changes in the ovaries. The serum levels of hormones and oxidation indicators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Quantitative proteomics techniques were used to compare the ovarian protein expression before and after modeling and before and after the intervention with Liuwei Dihuang Pills. The results showed that Liuwei Dihuang Pills regulated the estrous cycle of DOR mice, elevated the serum levels of hormones and anti-oxidation indicators, promoted follicle development, protected the mitochondrial morphology of ovarian granulosa cells, and increased the litter size and survival of DOR mice. Furthermore, Liuwei Dihuang Pills negatively regulated the expression of 12 differentially expressed proteins associated with DOR, which were mainly involved in lipid catabolism, inflammatory response, immune regulation, and coenzyme biosynthesis. These differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in sphingolipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, ribosomes, ferroptosis, and cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. In summary, the occurrence of DOR and the treatment of DOR with Liuwei Dihuang Pills are associated with multiple biological pathways, mainly including oxidative stress response, inflammatory response, and immune regulation. "Mitochondria-oxidative stress-apoptosis" is the key to the treatment of DOR by Liuwei Dihuang Pills. YY1 and CYP4F3 may be the key upstream targets that trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS accumulation, and the metabolism of arachidonic acid is the main signaling pathway of drug action.

[Research progress in the relationship between Veillonella and oral diseases].

Veillonella species, known as the early colonizer of oral biofilm, are prevalent in oral microbiota. Seven Veillonella species have been isolated from oral cavity. Their distribution varies not only with different people but also with different sites in the oral cavity. Oral Veillonella are associated with oral diseases. They contribute to the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans and consume the lactate generated by streptococci. Veillonella species play an important role in the occurrence and development of periodontal diseases by providing adhesion sites for Porphyromonas gingivalis and boosting immune responses. The production of lipopolysaccharide and H2S is related to other oral diseases, such as pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, and halitosis. Several studies have been conducted on the relationship between Veillonella and oral diseases and the interaction between Veillonella and other pathological microorganisms, but limited knowledge is available at the molecular level. This article reviews the research progress in the relationship between Veillonella and oral infectious diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases.