Dopamine Dynamics in the Amygdala Influence Emotional Changes in the Early Stage of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome in Rats / La Dinámica de la Dopamina en la Amígdala Influye en los Cambios Emocionales en la Etapa Temprana del Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica en Ratas

SUMMARY: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a potentially fatal reaction to various forms of tissue damage and infections that cause damage to various organs. Furthermore, the brain is damaged earlier than other organs, resulting in diffuse brain dysfunction. The central clinical symptom of SIRS is delirium and emotional changes are involved in disease development. Although the amygdala is known to play a major role, the mechanisms underlying emotional changes in the early stages of SIRS have not been elucidated. Therefore, changes to dopamine levels in the amygdala were observed using an in vivo model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced SIRS to clarify the biochemical mechanisms activated in the early stages of SIRS. Extracellular dopamine was collected from the amygdala of free moving rats via microdialysis and then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, emotional changes were assessed with the open field and sucrose preference tests. In the LPS group, dopamine release in the amygdala increased remarkably immediately after LPS administration, peaking at 120 min. Thereafter, dopamine release temporarily decreased, but then significantly increased again after 180 min. The present results suggest that diffuse brain dysfunction in the early stages of SIRS may involve altered dopamine levels in the amygdala.

El síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SRIS) es una reacción potencialmente fatal a diversas formas de daño tisular e infecciones que causan injuria a varios órganos. Además, el cerebro se daña antes que otros órganos, lo que provoca una disfunción cerebral difusa. El síntoma clínico central del SIRS es el delirio y los cambios emocionales están involucrados en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. Aunque se sabe que la amígdala desempeña un papel importante, no se han dilucidado los mecanismos que subyacen a los cambios emocionales en las primeras etapas del SRIS. Por lo tanto, en el estudio se provocaron cambios en los niveles de dopamina en la amígdala utilizando un modelo in vivo de SRIS inducido por lipopolisacáridos (LPS) para dilucidar los mecanismos bioquímicos activados en las primeras etapas del SRIS. La dopamina extracelular se recogió de la amígdala de ratas en movimiento libre mediante microdiálisis y luego se analizó mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución. Además, se evaluaron los cambios emocionales con las pruebas de campo abierto y de preferencia de sacarosa. En el grupo de LPS, la liberación de dopamina en la amígdala aumentó de manera notable inmediatamente después de la administración de LPS, alcanzando un máximo a los 120 minutos. A partir de entonces, la liberación de dopamina disminuyó temporalmente, pero luego volvió a aumentar significativamente después de 180 min. Los resultadosactuales sugieren que la disfunción cerebral difusa en las primeras etapas del SIRS puede implicar niveles alterados de dopamina en la amígdala.

Analysis of the metabolic profile and comorbidities in women with endometriosis before and after surgical treatment / Análise do perfil metabólico e comorbidades em mulheres com endometriose antes e depois do tratamento cirúrgico

Aim: this study aimed to evaluate the effects of surgical treatment for endometriosis on the metabolic profile of women diagnosed with deep endometriosis. Methods: we conducted a prospective observational study with a sample of 30 women in the menacme diagnosed with deep endometriosis who underwent videolaparoscopic surgery in a reference center in Brazil between October 2020 and December 2021. A total of 30 women performed clinical and laboratory tests regarding their metabolic profile on two occasions, during preoperative tests and six months after video-laparoscopy. Results: patients had lower average levels of Total Cholesterol (TC), Low-Density Cholesterol (LDL-c), Triglycerides (TGC), and Fasting Glycemia (FG) after the surgical procedure. The average TC level was 8.2% lower after surgery, LDL-c was 12.8% lower, TGC was 10.9% lower, and FG was 7.3% lower. The results showed a statistically significant difference for all these parameters (p < 0.001). Conclusions: video-laparoscopy was associated with a favorable lipid profile compared to the preoperative lipid profile, with a significant improvement in the average levels of LDL-c, HDL-c, TC, TGC, and FG. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to determine whether surgical treatment for endometriosis can improve the metabolic parameters of women with endometriosis and favor a lower predisposition to atherogenesis.

Objetivo: Aeste estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do tratamento cirúrgico da endometriose no perfil metabólico de mulheres com diagnóstico de endometriose profunda. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo observacional prospectivo com uma amostra de 30 mulheres na menacme, com diagnóstico de endometriose profunda, que foram submetidas à videolaparoscopia em um centro de referência no Brasil, entre outubro de 2020 e dezembro de 2021. As mulheres realizaram exames clínicos e laboratoriais quanto ao seu perfil metabólico em duas ocasiões, durante exames pré-operatórios e seis meses após a videolaparoscopia. Resultados: as pacientes apresentaram níveis médios mais baixos de Colesterol Total (CT), Colesterol de Baixa Densidade (LDL-c), Triglicerídeos (TGC) e Glicemia de Jejum (GJ) após o procedimento cirúrgico. O nível médio de CT foi 8,2% menor após a cirurgia, o LDL-c foi 12,8% menor, o TGC foi 10,9% menor e a GJ foi 7,3% menor. Os resultados mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa para todos esses parâmetros (p < 0,001). Conclusões: a videolaparoscopia foi associada a um perfil lipídico favorável em comparação ao perfil lipídico pré-operatório, com melhora significativa nos níveis médios de LDL-c, HDL-c, CT, TGC e GJ. Estudos de acompanhamento a longo prazo são necessários para determinar se o tratamento cirúrgico da endometriose pode melhorar os parâmetros metabólicos de mulheres com endometriose e favorecer uma menor predisposição à aterogênese.

Fangji Fuling Decoction Alleviates Sepsis by Blocking MAPK14/FOXO3A Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To examine the therapeutic effect of Fangji Fuling Decoction (FFD) on sepsis through network pharmacological analysis combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments.@*METHODS@#A sepsis mouse model was constructed through intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by 250 ng/mL LPS to establish an in vitro cell model. Network pharmacology analysis identified the key molecular pathway associated with FFD in sepsis. Through ectopic expression and depletion experiments, the effect of FFD on multiple organ damage in septic mice, as well as on cell proliferation and apoptosis in relation to the mitogen-activated protein kinase 14/Forkhead Box O 3A (MAPK14/FOXO3A) signaling pathway, was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#FFD reduced organ damage and inflammation in LPS-induced septic mice and suppressed LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation in vitro (P<0.05). Network pharmacology analysis showed that FFD could regulate the MAPK14/FOXO signaling pathway during sepsis. As confirmed by in vitro cell experiments, FFD inhibited the MAPK14 signaling pathway or FOXO3A expression to relieve LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation (P<0.05). Furthermore, FFD inhibited the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway to inhibit LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis in the lung tissue of septic mice (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#FFD could ameliorate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice by inhibiting the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway.

Effect of brachial plexus block on stress response in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of brachial plexus block on stress response in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery.Methods A total of 150 patients with shoulder arthritis who underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery in the Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital,Fudan University from December 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects.All patients were divided into the control group and the observation group by random number table method,with 75 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were given general anesthesia,while patients in the observation group were given brachial plexus block on the basis of the control group.The mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),norepinephrine(NE),cortisol(Cor)before operation(T0),10 minutes after operation(T1),30 minutes after operation(T2),at the end of operation(T3)and 30 minutes after extubation(T4)of the two groups were compared.The transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)before and 3 days after operation of the two groups were compared.The visual analogue scale(VAS)scores at postoperative wakefulness and 6,12 and 24 hours after operation of the two groups were compared.Results Compared with T0,the levels of MAP and HR at T1,T2,T3,and T4 in the observation group and the control group were obviously decreased(P<0.01),the levels of NE and Cor were obviously increased(P<0.01),while the levels of MAP,HR,NE,and Cor at T1,T2,T3,and T4 in the observation group were obviously lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).The levels of TGF-β1,TNF-α,and CRP 3 days after operation in the observation group and the control group were obviously increased compared with those before operation (P<0. 01), and the above indicators after operation in the observation group were obviously lower than those in the control group (P<0. 01). The VAS scores at postoperative wakefulness and 6, 12 and 24 hours after operation in the observation group were obviously lower than those in the control group (P<0. 01). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block by interscalene approach can ensure the stability of the vital signs of patients with shoulder arthritis during shoulder arthroscopic surgery, alleviate pain, reduce stress, and reduce inflammatory response.

Wu-Mei-Wan improves colonic mucosal inflammation and pyroptosis in rats with ulcerative colitis via regulating NLRP3 inflammasome / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To study effect and mechanism of Wu-Mei-Wan on improving colonic mucosal inflammatory response and pyroptosis in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)via regulating NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)inflam-masome.Methods:Male SD rats were selected for animal experiments.UC model was established by enema with 2,4,6-trinitroben-zene sulfonic acid.After model was established,different doses of Wu-Mei-Wan were given by gavage,negative control(NC)-lentivi-rus(LV)or NLRP3-LV were injected by tail vein.Disease activity index(DAI)of rats in each group was evaluated,length of colon was measured,pathological changes and histopathological scores,contents of IL-1β,IL-18,GSDMD-N,NLRP3 and Cleaved cas-pase-1 expressions in colon tissues were detected.Results:Typical UC pathological changes were found in colon mucosa of UC group,DAI,histopathological score,IL-1β,IL-18 contents,GSDMD-N,NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues of UC group were higher than control group,and colon length was shorter than control group(P<0.05).UC pathological changes of colon mucosa of rats in different concentrations of Wu-Mei-Wan groups were improved,DAI,histopathological score,IL-1β,IL-18 con-tents,GSDMD-N,NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues were lower than UC group,and colon length was longer than UC group(P<0.05).LV was injected simultaneously with intragastric administration of high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan,pathological changes of UC in colon mucosa of rats in NLRP3-LV+NC+high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan group was aggravated,DAI,histopathological score,IL-1β,IL-18 contents,GSDMD-N,NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues were higher than NC-LV+NC+ high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan group,and colon length was shorter than NC-LV+NC+high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Wu-Mei-Wan improves colonic mucosal inflammation and pyroptosis in UC rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome.

Transcription factor SP1 regulates expression of MAP3K1 and affects apoptosis and inflammatory response of diabetic retinopathy cells / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To explore effect and molecular mechanism of transcription factor SP1 on apoptosis and inflammatory response of diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods:To construct a DR model of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(hRMECs),cells were divided into Control group,HG group,HG+si-NC group,HG+si-SP1 group,HG+si-SP1+oe-NC group and HG+si-SP1+oe-MAP3K1 group by transfection.RT-qPCR was used to detect expressions of SP1 and MAP3K1;flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis;ELISA was used to detect contents of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in cells;binding site between SP1 and MAP3K1 promoter were found by bioinformatics,and ChIP-qPCR was used to detect binding of SP1 to the MAP3K1 promoter.Results:Compared with control group,expressions of SP1 and MAP3K1 in hRMECs treated with HG were increased(P<0.05).Inhibition of SP1 expression,apoptosis rate was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and contents of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Inhibition of SP1 reduced expression of MAP3K1.Further overexpression of MAP3K1 reversed inhibitory effect of si-SP1 on HG-induced apoptosis and inflammatory responses in hRMECs.Conclusion:Transcription factor SP1 promotes apoptosis and inflammatory response of DR cells by promoting expression of MAP3K1.

Protective effect of Periplaneta americana powder on rats with spinal cord injury via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of Periplaneta americana powder on rats with spinal cord injury.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation,saline,Periplaneta americana powder,and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)inhibitor groups.Except for the sham operation group,a rat spinal cord hemi-transection injury model was established in the other three groups.The sham operation group received no treatment after the operation,saline and drug groups were subjected to intragastric administration of equal volumes of normal saline and Periplaneta americana powder(630 mg/kg),respectively,and the TLR4 inhibitor group was administered an intraperitoneal injection of TLR4 inhibitor(3 mg/kg).On days 1,3,7,and 14 after the operation,the motor function of rat hind limbs was evaluated by the Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan(BBB)score.Histopathological changes of the spinal cord were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Changes in the number of neurons were observed by immunohistochemistry.The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1,IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-α were measured by ELISA,and expression of TLR4,myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the BBB score and number of neurons in the saline group were significantly decreased,while the degree of pathological damage,and IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65 levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the saline group,periplaneta americana powder and TLR4 inhibitor groups showed an increase in BBB scores and the number of neurons,and decreases in the degree of pathological damage and IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65 levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the TLR4 inhibitor group,the periplaneta americana powder group had better increases in the BBB score,number of neurons and decreases in the degree of pathological damage and expression of IL-1 and TNF-α.Conclusions Periplaneta americana powder reduces the production of inflammatory factors after spinal cord injury by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway,protects nerves,and promotes motor recovery.

Construction and evaluation of a mouse model of chronic restraint intestinal stress injury / 中国实验动物学报

Objective Given that psychosocial stress can contribute to a series of diseases,such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome,we aimed to establish an experimental chronic restraint mouse intestinal stress injury model as a basis for exploring the pathogenic mechanism of chronic restraint stress-induced gastrointestinal diseases,and for developing preventive and curative measures.Methods Eighteen male SPF-grade BALB/c mice were acclimatized for 7 days and then divided into a control group and a chronic restraint stress group according to body weight,using a randomized numerical table method.The mice were subjected to restraint stress for 3 hours per day for 14 days to establish an intestinal injury model.The model was evaluated by observing body weight,pathological changes in intestinal histomorphology,expression of tight junction proteins,apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells,and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines.Results After 14 days of chronic restraint stress,model mice showed weight loss,shortened duodenal villus height,abnormal crypt structure,a decreased villus/crypt ratio,colonic mucosal inflammatory cell infiltration,and irregular crypt structure.Protein immunoblotting,immunohistochemistry,and immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression levels of the duodenal and colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-1 were significantly decreased in mice after chronic restraint stress(P＜0.05),while expression levels of the apoptotic protein cleaved-caspase-3 in intestinal epithelial cells were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Regarding the mRNA expression levels of intestinal inflammatory factors and chemokines,chronic restraint stress for 14 days significantly increased the gene expression levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),tumor necrosis factor-α,and IL-10 in the duodenum of mice(P＜0.05),and significantly increased the gene expression levels ofIL-1β,IL-6,and MCP-1 in the colon(P＜0.001).Conclusions The use of a behavioral restriction device to restrain mice continuously for 14 days led to abnormal intestinal tissue structure,intestinal barrier dysfunction,and intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis,and triggered an intestinal inflammatory response in the stressed mice,indicating successful establishment of a mouse model of intestinal injury by chronic restraint stress.

Effect of lidocaine regulating the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway on ischemia-reperfusion injury in orthotopic liver transplantation rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of lidocaine(LID)on ischemia-reperfusion injury in orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)rats and to analyze its mechanism of action.Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into Verteporfin group,high-dose LID(High LID),medium-dose LID(Medium LID),low-dose LID(Low LID),Model and Control groups,on average.The rest of the rats except the control rats were used to establish OLT models.Observe the pathological changes in liver tissue were with hematoxylin-eosin staining.Serum aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)activities and alanine transaminase(ALT)were detected.Measure liver tissue levels of proinflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,and IL-10 with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by a fluorescence probe.Malondialdehyde(MDA)was detected by the thiobarbituric acid colorimetric method.Superoxide dismutase(SOD)was detected by nitrogen blue tetrazole colorimetry.Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)was detected by a spectrophotometry method.Apoptosis of liver histiocytes was detected by in situ end labeling.Detect the expression of mammalian STE20 like protein kinase(MST1),phosphorylation(p)-MST1,large tumor suppressor factor 1(LATS1),p-LATS1,Yes associated protein(YAP),p-YAP,and apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2 related X protein(Bax)with Western blot.Results Compared with the Control group,liver tissue in Model group rats showed injury,liver cell necrosis,and a large degree of inflammatory cell infiltration.Moreover,the cell apoptosis rate;serum AST,ALT,TBIL,and LDH activities;and liver tissue levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,MDA,ROS,and Bax were significantly increased.Furthermore,liver tissue levels of IL-10,SOD,GSH-Px,Bcl-2,p-MST1/MST1,p-LATS1/LATS1,and p-YAP/YAP proteins were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the Model group,liver tissue injury was reduced in Low LID,Medium LID,and High LID groups.The cell apoptosis rate;serum AST,ALT,TBIL,and LDH activities;and liver tissue levels of TNF-α,IL-6,1L-1β,MDA,ROS,and Bax were significantly reduced.Moreover,liver tissue levels of IL-10,SOD,GSH-Px,Bcl-2,p-MST1/MST1,p-LATS1/LATS1,and p-YAP/YAP proteins were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Hippo-YAP signaling pathway inhibitor verteporfin reversed the improving effect of LID on ischemia-reperfusion injury in OLT rats(P＜0.05).Conclusions LID may activate the Hippo-YAP pathway,which reduces the inflammatory response,oxidative stress,and liver cell apoptosis,and improves liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in OLT rats.

Effects of conditioned medium of alveolar epithelial cells on vascular endothelial cell damage / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To observe the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced conditioned medium of alveolar epithelial cells on the inflammatory response and cell damage of vascular endothelial cells, and explore its mechanism.Methods:The LPS induced type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells (A549) conditioned medium was used as a stimulus to induce human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) damage. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the effect of 0% (blank group), 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% A549 cell conditioned medium cultured for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours on the cell viability of HUVEC. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and vasoactive substances [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1)] in the supernatant. Phalloidin staining was used to observe the effects of A549 cells conditioned medium on cell morphology. The expressions of protein kinase B/nuclear factor-κB (AKT/NF-κB) pathway in HUVEC induced by conditioned medium was detected by Western blotting.Results:Compared with the blank group, A549 cells conditioned medium with concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, and 50% had no significant effects on cell viability of HUVEC after 6, 12, and 24 hours, but the activity of HUVEC decreased significantly after 48 hours. Therefore, 12.5%, 25%, 50% A549 cell conditioned medium stimulated for 24 hours was selected as the induction condition for follow-up experiments. Compared with the blank group, the level of IL-6 was significantly increased in 12.5% and 50% conditioned medium groups (ng/L: 2?438.95±64.89, 3?036.41±96.69 vs. 1?736.75±20.99, both P < 0.05), the level of TNF-α was significantly increased in 12.5% and 25% conditioned medium groups (ng/L: 174.08±11.09, 81.37±8.17 vs. 50.03±0.26, both P < 0.01), the levels of VEGF and ET-1 were significantly increased in 12.5%, 25% and 50% conditioned medium groups [VEGF (ng/L): 173.60±41.44, 192.49±12.38, 318.89±27.90 vs. 66.68±19.65; ET-1 (ng/L): 54.88±1.37, 36.69±0.29, 24.07±0.73 vs. 10.67±0.25, all P < 0.01]. Phalloidin staining showed that HUVEC induced by 25% A549 cells conditioned medium were irregular in shape, uneven in size, disordered in arrangement, widened in gap, dense and unclear in microfilament structure and serrated in cell membrane. Furthermore, the average fluorescence intensity of 25% conditioned medium group significantly increased compared to the blank group (67?205.60±3?430.40 vs. 56?272.67±7?650.95, P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that compared with the blank group, the expression of HUVEC cells phosphonated inhibitor α of NF-κB (p-IκBα) was significantly decreased in the 12.5%, 25%, and 50% conditioned medium groups (p-IκBα/IκBα: 0.38±0.08, 0.67±0.12, 0.31±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.00, all P < 0.01), the expressions of phosphonated-AKT (p-AKT) and VEGF were significantly increased (p-AKT/AKT: 1.50±0.18, 1.42±0.27, 1.61±0.14 vs. 1.00±0.00, VEGF/GAPDH: 1.37±0.10, 1.53±0.22, 1.40±0.12 vs. 1.00±0.00, all P < 0.05), the expression of phosphonated NF-κB p65 (p-P65) was significantly increased in the 25% conditioned medium group (p-P65/P65: 1.45±0.14 vs. 1.00±0.00, P < 0.05). Conclusion:LPS induced conditional culture medium of alveolar epithelial cells induced endothelial cell damage via activating AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Effects of Tuina on motor behavior,oxidative stress and inflammatory response in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome / 中国运动医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of back Tuina on motor behavior,oxidative stress and in-flammation in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group and a Tuina group,each of 8,according to a random number table.The CFS rat model was prepared by means of forced weight-bearing swimming combined with chronic stress stimulation in 21 days.After modeling,the Tuina group was given daily 20-minute Tuina for 14 days.The general condition semi-quantitative score,exhaustion swimming time and open field experiment(OFE)distance of all groups were recorded.After the experiment,sam-ples were collected,and the histopathological changes of the vertical spine muscles were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The cross-sectional area and diameter of muscle fibers were calcu-lated using Image Pro Plus software,and the frequency distribution diagram of cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was processed by using the Origin software.The contents of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-coactivator 1α(PGC-1α)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 in the serum of rats were mea-sured.Results After the intervention,the general condition semi-quantitative score of the Tuina group was significantly lower than the model group(P<0.01),while the exhaustion swimming time and OFE distance were significantly higher than the latter group(P<0.05,P<0.01).(2)HE staining showed that the significant atrophy of erector spinal muscle cells in the model group,was significantly relieved in the Tuina group.(3)Compared with the blank group,the contents of SOD,GSH-Px and PGC-1α in erectus muscles decreased significantly(P<0.01),while those of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the se-rum of the model group increased significantly(P<0.01).However,compared with model group,the contents of SOD,GSH-Px and PGC-1α in erectus muscle increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01),while those of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 of the Tuina group decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Tuina in the back can regulate the oxidative stress response,reliever the inflammatory re-sponse and improve the motor behavior of CFS rats.

Clinical value of combined detection of placenta associated 8 and platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase for early identification of sepsis and non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of combined detection of placenta associated 8 (PLAC8) and platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PLA2G7) for early identification of sepsis and non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 189 febrile patients suspected infection who were admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from October 2022 to April 2023 were included. Based on etiological, laboratory test results and clinical data, patients were classified as infection or non-infection, and further classified as sepsis or non-infectious SIRS according to diagnostic criteria. Real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of PLAC8 and PLA2G7 in peripheral venous blood of patients. Hematology, inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin, sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and the difference of cycle threshold (Ct) values between PLA2G7 and PLAC8 ((PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value))were compared between the sepsis and non-infectious SIRS groups. Statistical comparison was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, and the diagnostic performance of (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in discriminating sepsis from non-infectious SIRS was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve. Results:Among the 189 febrile patients suspected infection, there were 80 non-infectious patients, including 51 non-infectious SIRS patients, and 109 infection patients, including 53 sepsis patients. The neutrophil ratio, CRP, IL-6, procalcitonin, and SOFA score of non-infectious SIRS patients were lower than those of the sepsis group, and the differences were all statistically significant ( Z=-2.70, -3.11, -2.16, -3.76 and -2.33, respectively, all P<0.05). The (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in the non-infectious SIRS group was 4.38(1.41), which was lower than 8.18 (6.19) in the sepsis group, with a statistically significant difference ( U=193.50, P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in the differential diagnosis of sepsis and non-infectious SIRS was 0.859, with the optimal cut-off value of 5.86. The sensitivity and specificity were 82.2% and 71.9%, respectively. When combined with procalcitonin, the AUROC was 0.917, with a sensitivity of 95.6% and specificity of 70.6%. Conclusions:The (PLA2G7-PLAC8)ΔCt value in peripheral blood has good clinical value for early identification of sepsis and non-infectious SIRS, especially when combined with procalcitonin, which could further improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis.

Effects of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula on neuronal apoptosis of rats with ischemia-reperfusion induced injury / 中成药

AIM To investigate the effects of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula on neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury based on the study of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the edaravone group(3.0 mg/kg),the low,medium and high dose groups(9.0,18.0,36.0 g/kg)of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula,with 18 rats in each group.The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion was conducted by thread embolism method to simulate cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats followed by 6 days corresponding drugs administration.Subsequently,the rats had their neurological function deficit scored by Zeal Longa scoring method;their sizes of cerebral infarction areas measured by TTC staining;their pathological damage and apoptosis of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area of ischemic penumbra of the brain tissue detected by HE staining and TUNEL staining;their SOD activity and levels of GSH,MDA,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α in brain tissue detected by kits;and their protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,cleaved-capase-3,TLR4,NF-κB p65,Nrf2,HO-1 in rat brain tissue determined by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with edaravone,medium and high dose of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula displayed improvements in the scores of nerve function defects,the rate of cerebral infarction,the rate of neuronal apoptosis,the levels of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α and MDA in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues,the protein expressions of Bax and TLR4,the ratio of cleaved-capase-3/caspase-3 and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P＜0.05),the levels of GSH,the activity of SOD and the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Being an inhibitor of oxidative stress and inflammatory response,Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula can alleviate brain injury in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury through the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and improvement of neural function mediated by the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway.

Pharmacological Effect of Nuanxinkang Powder on Ventricular Remodeling in Post-infarction Mice Through"Metabolic-Inflammatory"Network Regulating Macrophage Polarization / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To explore the mechanism of Nuanxinkang Powder(aka.NXK,composed of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra and Ilex Pubescens Radix)on improving ventricular remodeling in post-infarction mice based on the"metabolic-inflammatory"network regulating macrophage polarization.Methods ①Thirty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham-operation group,model group,and NXK group(1.65 g·kg-1),with 10 mice in each group;the mouse model of myocardial infarction was replicated using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation;and the drug was administered by gavage once a day for 4 consecutive weeks.Masson staining was used to detect collagen deposition in myocardial tissue;ultrasound was used to detect cardiac function in mice:left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular anterior wall thickness at end-systole(LVAWS)and left ventricular anterior wall thickness at end-diastole(LVAWD);flow cytometry was used to detect distribution of cardiac macrophages in mice;qPCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1(CPT-1),glucose transport protein 4(GLUT4),isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH),and succinate dehydrogenase(SDHa)in heart tissue.②NXK was given 1.15 g·kg-1 NXK suspension to rats by gavage twice a day for 5 consecutive days to prepare NXK-containing serum.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells were used to construct a pro-inflammatory macrophage model.The cells were grouped into the following groups:blank serum control group(medium containing 5%blank serum+5%fetal bovine serum),NXK drug-containing serum group(medium containing 5%NXK drug-containing serum+5%fetal bovine serum),lipopolysaccharide group(medium containing 5%blank serum+5%fetal bovine serum+200 μg·mL-1 lipopolysaccharide),NXK drug-containing serum+ lipopolysaccharide group(medium containing 5%NXK drug-containing serum+5%fetal bovine serum+200 μ g·mL-1 lipopolysaccharide),all the groups were intervened for 16 hours.Glycolysis stress test was used to detect the level of glycolysis in RAW 264.7 cells;qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier(MPC1)in RAW 264.7 cells;and MitoSox Red fluorescent staining was used to detect the level of oxidative stress damage in mitochondria of RAW 264.7 cells.Results ①Compared with the sham-operation group,the blue-stained area of cardiac collagen fibres in mice of the model group was significantly increased,accompanied by thinning of the ventricular wall and enlargement of the left ventricular cavity;cardiac function indexes,such as LVEF,LVAWS,LVAWD,etc.,were all significantly reduced(P＜0.01,P＜0.001);the mRNA expressions of LDHA and CPT-1 were significantly up-regulated in the cardiac tissues of mice(P＜0.05),and the mRNA expressions of GLUT4,IDH and SDHa were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and CD86 staining positive cell was significantly increased(P＜0.001).Compared with the model group,mice in the NXK group showed a significant decrease in cardiac collagen fiber deposition and an increase in the thickness of the ventricular wall;cardiac function indexes such as LVEF,LVAWS and LVAWD were significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001);and the mRNA expressions of LDHA and CPT-1 in the cardiac tissues of the mice were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),mRNA expressions of GLUT4,SDHa and IDH were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),and the number of CD86 positive cells was significantly reduced(P＜0.001).②Compared with the blank serum control group,the cytosolic glycolysis level and ROS level of macrophages in the NXK serum-containing group did not change significantly(P＞0.05),whereas the glycolysis level and ROS level of macrophages in the lipopolysaccharide group were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the mRNA expression of MPC1 was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.001).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the macrophage glycolysis level and ROS level were significantly reduced in the NXK serum-containing + lipopolysaccharide group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and mRNA expression of MPC1 was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.001).Conclusion NXK can reduce myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction and improve cardiac function in mice,and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of mRNA expression of LDHA in cardiac tissues,the up-regulation of mRNA expression of GLUT4,the improvement of cardiac glucose uptake after myocardial infarction,the inhibition of pro-inflammatory macrophage glycolysis,the increase in the expressions of SDHa and IDH to alleviate the accumulation of succinate and citrate,and the reduction of reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation,thereby reducing pro-inflammatory macrophage hyperpolarisation.

Effect of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Perscription on Polarization of Hippocampal Microglia in Hypertensive Rats Complicated with Depression by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-кB Signaling Pathway / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To investigate the effect of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Perscription(Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis,Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Pheretima,Puerariae Lobatae Radix,etc.)modulating the TLR4/NF-кB signaling pathway on the polarization of hippocampal microglia in rats with hypertension complicated with depression(HD)Methods Forty primary hypertensive rats were randomly divided into five groups:the model group,the positive drug group,and the high-,medium-,and low-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Perscription,with 8 rats in each group;and another 8 SD rats were taken as the control group.The HD model was replicated using 42 days of continuous chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)combined with solitary rearing.The modeling was accompanied by the administration of drugs,including 29.61,14.81,and 7.40 g·kg-1 of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Perscription in the high-,medium-,and low-dose groups of Chinese herbal medicine,respectively,and 0.45 mg·kg-1 of Levamlodipine Besylate+1.8 mg·kg-1 of Fluoxetine in the positive group;the volume of the gavage was 10 mL·kg-1,once a day,for 42 consecutive days.The systolic blood pressure of rat tail artery was measured by non-invasive sphygmomanometer before drug administration and in the morning of the last day of each week;the behavioural test of Sucrose Preference Test(SPT)was carried out once in the second week and once in the last week after the start of the modelling;the water maze experiment was carried out after the end of the modelling;the levels of serum inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)1β and IL-10 were determined by ELISA;the pathological changes of rat hippocampal tissue neurons were observed by HE staining and Nissl stain were used to observe the neuronal pathological changes in rat hippocampal tissue;immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the expressions of microglia M1(CD16)and M2(CD206)types in the hippocampal region;and Western Blot was used to detect the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-кB p65 in the hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the systolic blood pressure in the tail artery of rats in the model group from week 1 to week 6 were all significantly increased(P＜0.01);sucrose preference rate was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);evasion latency was significantly prolonged(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the number of times of traversing the plateau and the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant were significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the contents of serum TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased(P＜0.01),IL-10 content was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);cytosolic nuclei were deeply stained,cytoplasmic solidification and apoptosis were obvious;the fluorescence intensity ratio of CD206/CD16 in hippocampal microglial cells were significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-кB p65 in hippocampal tissues were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the systolic blood pressure in the tail artery of rats in the first to sixth weeks of the drug administration group were all significantly reduced(P＜0.01);the sucrose preference rates were all significantly increased(P＜0.05);the contents of serum TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the content of IL-10 was significantly increased(P＜0.01);the Nissl substances are abundant and apoptosis is significantly reduced,and apoptosis were significantly reduced.The escape latency of rats in the positive drug group and the high-dose group of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Perscription was significantly shortened(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the number of times of crossing the plateau and the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant were significantly increased(P＜0.05);the ratio of fluorescence intensity of hippocampal microglial cells,CD206/CD16 was significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and the hippocampal tissues,protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Perscription may regulate the polarisation state of hippocampal microglial cells,modulate the secretion of inflammatory factors,and attenuate the damage of hippocampal neurons in HD rats by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-кB pathway.

Construction and Evaluation of a Mouse Model with Intestinal Injury by Acute Hypoxic Stress in Plateau / 实验动物与比较医学

Objective By simulating acute hypoxic conditions, an experimental model of intestinal stress injury in plateau mice was established to explore the pathogenic mechanism of acute gastrointestinal diseases in plateau, and to lay foundation for preventive and therapeutic measures.MethodsThirty-six SPF-grade adult male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: normoxic 24 h, normoxic 72 h, hypoxic 24 h, and hypoxic 72 h, based on body weight using a randomized numerical table method, with nine mice in each group. Mice in the normoxic group were kept in a conventional barrier environment, while those in the hypoxic group were placed in a hypoxic chamber within the barrier environment with oxygen concentration set at 10% to simulate plateau conditions. They were subjected to stress for 24 h and 72 h, respectively, in order to establish a model of intestinal injury induced by acute hypoxia. After modeling, the mice were weighed, anesthetized with 1% pentobarbital sodium, and then euthanized by cervical dislocation. Duodenal and colonic tissues were collected. Histopathological morphology of intestinal tissues was observed after HE staining. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins in intestinal tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to measure the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. TUNEL staining was used to assess apoptotic activity of intestinal epithelial cells, thus evaluating intestinal injury-related phenotypes in this model.Results Compared with the normoxic groups, mice in the 24 h and 72 h hypoxia groups showed weight loss, shortened duodenal villi, abnormal crypt structure, and decreased villus/crypt ratio. The colonic mucosa was infiltrated with inflammatory cells and irregular crypt structure. Expression levels of Occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were significantly decreased in duodenal and colonic tissues of mice in the 24 h and 72 h hypoxia groups (P<0.05). The expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax was significantly up-regulated while expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated in duodenal tissues (P<0.05). Apoptotic activity of intestinal epithelial cells was significantly enhanced (P<0.05). In addition, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA levels were significantly increased in duodenal tissues after 24 and 72 h of hypoxic stress(P<0.05). After 24 h of hypoxic stress, there was no significant change in the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues (P>0.05), but after 72 h, the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 mRNAs significantly increased in colon tissues of mice (P<0.05).Conclusion The usage of a hypoxia chamber to simulate an acute hypoxic environment in plateau can lead to abnormal intestinal tissue structure, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and induce intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, triggering an intestinal inflammatory response in stress mice. These findings indicate the successful construction of a mouse model for an acute hypoxic stress-induced intestinal injury.

Effects and mechanism of Yiqi huoxue decoction on lumbar disc herniation in rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yiqi huoxue decoction （YQHX） on lumbar disc herniation in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， NF-κB inhibitor group （QNZ group， 1 mg/kg）， YQHX group （9.1 g/kg） and combination group （YQHX+QNZ group， the same dose as each single drug group）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group， lumbar disc herniation model of rats was induced in other groups； administration groups were given QNZ intraperitoneally or/and YQHX intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. The severity of intervertebral disc herniation was evaluated in each group； the pathological changes of intervertebral discs and the changes of autophagy of nucleus pulposus cells were all observed； the level of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum， and the ratios of Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3 （BNIP3） and Beclin-1 positive cells in intervertebral disctissues were detected； the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p65， the expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor- associated factor-2 （TRAF-2）， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein， and mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65， LC3B， p62，BNIP3 and Beclin-1 were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， Pfirrmann grading score decreased significantly，the pathological injury of intervertebral disc tissue was relieved in YQHX group； the number of autophagosomes in nucleus pulposus cells increased； serum level of TNF-α and mRNA expression of p62 in intervertebral disc tissue decreased significantly； the ratios of BNIP3 and Beclin-1 positive cells， the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65， the expressions of TRAF-2， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein as well as the mRNA expressions of NF- κB p65， LC3B， BNIP3 and Beclin-1 decreased significantly in intervertebral disc tissues （P＜0.05）. The changes of above indexes in YQHX group were reversed partly in YQHX+QNZ group. CONCLUSIONS YQHX promotes the elevation of autophagy level of intervertebral discs， slows down the inflammatory response and the progression of lumbar disc herniation by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Protective effect and mechanism of Hirudo on mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effects and potential mechanisms of Hirudo on mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in mice. METHODS The male ApoE－/－ mice were randomly divided into the model group and Hirudo low- dose and high-dose groups （0.45， 0.9 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group； another 10 wild-type male C57BL/6J mice were chosen as the control group. The control group was fed with basal maintenance chow and the remaining groups were fed with high-fat chow for 12 weeks to establish the NAFLD model. Each administration group was given corresponding solution intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. In the 13th week， the body weight and liver weight of mice in each group were measured after the last medication， and the liver index was calculated； the serum levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF- α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were detected； the liver pathomorphological changes were observed； the protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ（PPARγ） and silence information regulator type 1 （SIRT1） were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the liver tissue of mice in the model group showed more fat vacuoles and infiltration of inflammatory cells， with significant lipid accumulation； the body weight， liver weight and liver index of the mice， and serum levels of NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， TC， TG and LDL-C significantly increased， while the serum level of HDL-C， the protein expressions of PPARγ and SIRT1 in liver tissues significantly decreased （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes in liver tissue of mice were all relieved in Hirudo low-dose and high-dose groups； the body weight， liver weight and liver index， the serum levels of NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， TC， TG and LDL-C decreased significantly， while the serum level of HDL-C， the protein expressions of PPARγ and SIRT1 in liver tissue all increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Hirudo can regulate liver lipid metabolism and inhibit inflammation by activating the protein expressions of PPARγ and SIRT1， thus having a significant ameliorative effect on NAFLD.

Effect of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma on Stabilization of Atherosclerotic Vulnerable Plaques via Inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma on plaque stability in atherosclerotic （AS） mice and to explore its possible mechanism of action based on the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodTen normal C57BL/6J mice were used as the normal group， and the same strain of ApoE knockout （ApoE-/-） mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to construct an atherosclerosis model. Mice were randomly divided into five groups， namely the model group， the atorvastatin group， and the Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma low-， medium-， and high-dose groups， with ten mice in each group. Then normal and model groups were given equal volume of saline gavage， and the low-， medium-， high-dose Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma groups were given 1.95， 3.9， 7.8 g·kg-1 of the drug by gavage for 8 weeks， respectively. The general state of mice was observed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to observe the pathology of aortic root plaques and calculate the percentage of plaque area. Masson staining and oil red O staining combined with immunohistochemistry of F4/80 and α-SMA were used to detect the plaque components of aortic root plaques and calculate the plaque vulnerability index. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to detect the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）， matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65， and phosphorylation （p） -NF-κB p65 in the aortic tissues of mice in each group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） assay was employed to detect the expression levels of MMP-2， MMP-9， TLR4， and MyD88， NF-κB p65 mRNA. ResultCompared with the model group， the general state of the mice in each medication group was improved， and no obvious side effects were observed. Compared with the model group， the percentage of plaque area in the aortic root of AS mice was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma groups （P<0.05）. The content of collagen fibers and smooth muscle cells in the plaques of the high-dose Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the content of lipids and macrophages was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， the plaque vulnerability index of each dose group of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma was significantly reduced， with significant reduction of the medium- and high-dose groups （P<0.01）. MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA expression levels in aortic tissues were significantly reduced in medium- and high-dose Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma groups （P<0.05）. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in AS mice in medium- and high-dose Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma groups （P<0.05）. In the medium- and high-dose Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma groups， the levels of TLR4， MyD88 protein， and mRNA expression in aortic tissues were significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the level of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation in aortic tissues was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. ConclusionScutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma may play an anti-inflammatory and stabilizing role by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of Bushen Huoxue Formula （补肾活血方） on TLR/NF-κB Pathway and Intestinal Flora in Ileum Tissue of Parkinson's Disease Model Mice / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Formula （补肾活血方， BHF） in the treatment of Parkinson's disease （PD） from the the perspective of intestinal flora. MethodsSeventy-two male C57/BL6J mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， Madopar group and low-， medium- and high-dose BHF groups， with 12 mice in each group. The mice in the blank group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 ml/kg of normal saline， and those in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） at a concentration of 3 mg/ml to induce PD mice model， both once a day for 7 consecutive days. After successful modeling， the low-， medium-， and high-dose BHF groups were given 7.5， 15， and 30 g/（kg·d） of BHF by gavage， respectively， while the Madopar group was given 112.5 mg/（kg ·d） of Domedopar tablets by gavage， and the blank group and the model group were given 15 ml/（kg·d） of distilled water， all once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rod climbing test， rotating rod test， grip strength test and weight-bearing swimming test were used to evaluate the behavioral indicators of mice. Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor （TLR）/nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） pathway inflammatory factors in the mouse ileum， including Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， NF-κB， tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α）， interleukin 6 （IL-6）， and interleukin 17 （IL- 17）. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze changes in mouse intestinal flora. ResultsCompared to those in the blank group， the mice in the model group had longer bottoming time when climbing the pole， reduced grip strength， shortened rotary pole duration and swimming duration， and increased protein expression levels of TLR2， TLR4， NF-κB， TNF-α， and IL-6 in the ileal tissue （P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， the Madopar group and the low-， medium- and high-dose BHF groups had shortened bottoming time of the climbing pole and increased grip strength； the Madopar group and the high-dose BHF group had prolonged rotary pole duration， and reduced protein expressions of TLR2， TLR4， NF-κB， TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-17 levels； and only the high-dose BHF group had prolonged swimming duration （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the low-dose BHF group， the bottoming time of the climbing pole were shorter in the moderate- and high-dose groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， and the grip strength increased while the protein expression levels of TLR2， TLR4 and IL-17 decreased in the high-dose group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The intestinal flora results showed significant differences between the blank group and the model group in the Dominance index， Pielou_e index， Shannon index， and Simpson index （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those of the model group， the Shannon index， Chao1 index， and Observed_otus index of the Madopar group， as well as the Chao1 index， Observed_otus index， Dominance index， Pielou_e index， Shannon index， and Simpson index of the high-dose BHF group all showed significantly statistical differences （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. At the phylum level， the relative abundance categories of bacterial phyla with statistically significant differences in each group included Proteobacteria， Bacteroidetes， and Firmicutes （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. At the genus level， the relative abundance categories of bacterial genera with statistically significant diffe-rences among each group included Muribaculaceae， Akkermansia， and Helicobacter pylori （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe possible mechanism of BHF in treating PD may be to reconstruct the disordered intestinal flora structure and improve the inflammatory response.