Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of dehydroabietic acid derivative as potent vasodilatory agents.

Using dehydroabietic acid as the lead compound for structural modification, 25 dehydroabietic acid derivatives were synthesized. Among them, compound D1 not only showed the strongest relaxation effect on the aortic vascular ring in vitro (Emax = 99.5 ± 2.1%, EC50 = 3.03 ± 0.96 µM), but also significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in rats at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg in vivo. Next, the vascular protective effect of the best active D1 and its molecular mechanism were further investigated by HUVECs. The results showed that D1 induced endothelium-dependent diastole in the rat thoracic aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. Endothelium removal or aortic ring pretreatment with NG-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and tetraethylammonium (TEA) significantly inhibited D1-induced relaxation. In addition, wortmannin, KT5823, triciribine, diltiazem, BaCl2, 4-aminopyridine, indomethacin, propranolol, and atropine attenuated D1-induced vasorelaxation. D1 increased the phosphorylation of eNOS in HUVECs Furthermore, D1 attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. However, this effect was attenuated by the eNOS inhibitors l-NAME and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). The findings suggest that D1-induced vasorelaxation through the PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO/cGMP/PKG pathway by activating the KCa, Kir and KV channels or muscarinic and ß-adrenergic receptors, and inhibiting the l-type Ca2+ channels, which is closely related to the hypotensive action of the agent. Furthermore, D1 exhibits an inhibitory effect on vascular inflammation, which is associated with the observed vascular protective effects.

[Effect of fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma on airway inflammation in chronic bronchitis based on TGF-ß signaling pathway].

This study aims to explore the mechanism of fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma against chronic bronchitis airway inflammation. The SD rats of SPF grade were divided into control group, model group, Guilongkechuanning group(GLKCN, 1.125 g·kg~(-1)), high-dose fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma group(LG-HD, 15 g·kg~(-1)), and low-dose fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma group(LG-LD, 7.5 g·kg~(-1)). The chronic bronchitis models of rats in other groups except the control group were induced by the modified smoking method. From the 15 th day of modeling, the rats were given corresponding agents by gavage for 20 consecutive days. After the last administration, the rats were sacrificed for sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to detect serum transforming growth factor-ß(TGF-ß) and interleukin-6(IL-6) levels. The protein expression of TGF-ß, IL-1ß and IL-6 in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemical method. Masson staining was performed to detect collagen fibers and muscle fibers in lung tissue, and HE staining to detect the pathological changes of lung tissue. Human bronchial epithelial(16 HBE) cells were cultured in vitro, and CCK-8(cell counting kit-8) method was used to detect the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke extract(CSE) and fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma. After the exposure of 16 HBE cells to 3.5% CSE and appropriate concentration(800, 400 µg·mL~(-1)) of fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma for 24 h, quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of TGF-ß and IL-1ß, and Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TGF-ß and IL-6 in the cells. The rat model of chronic bronchitis induced by smoking was successfully established. Fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma reduced serum TGF-ß and IL-6 levels, down-regulated the protein levels of TGF-ß, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in lung tissue, and alleviated pathological changes and fibrotic lesions in lung tissue. Moreover, it down-regulated the CSE-induced protein expression of TGF-ß and IL-6 as well as the mRNA level of TGF-ß in 16 HBE cells. These results indicated that fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma could prevent airway inflammation from chronic bronchitis and promote cell repair by inhibiting the TGF-ß signaling pathway.

Vascular Protective Effects of Xanthotoxin and Its Action Mechanism in Rat Aorta and Human Vascular Endothelial Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Xanthotoxin (XAT) is a linear furanocoumarin mainly extracted from the plants Ammi majus L. XAT has been reported the apoptosis of tumor cells, anti-convulsant, neuroprotective effect, antioxidative activity, and vasorelaxant effects. This study aimed to investigate the vascular protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of XAT. METHODS: XAT's activity was studied in rat thoracic aortas, isolated with aortic rings, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: XAT induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner in the isolated rat thoracic aortas. Removal of endothelium or pretreatment of aortic rings with L-NAME, 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one, and wortmannin significantly inhibited XAT-induced relaxation. In addition, treatment with thapsigargin, 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate, Gd3+, and 4-aminopyridine markedly attenuated the XAT-induced vasorelaxation. XAT increased nitric oxide production and Akt- endothelial NOS (eNOS) phosphorylation in HUVECs. Moreover, XAT attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin. However, this effect was attenuated by the eNOS inhibitors L-NAME and asymmetric dimethylarginine. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that XAT induces vasorelaxation through the Akt-eNOS-cGMP pathway by activating the KV channel and inhibiting the L-type Ca2+ channel. Furthermore, XAT exerts an inhibitory effect on vascular inflammation, which is correlated with the observed vascular protective effects.

Discovery and evaluation of novel synthetic 5-alkyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-carbox-amide derivatives as anti-inflammatory agents.

To develop novel anti-inflammatory agents, a series of 5-alkyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1, 2, 4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-carboxamide derivatives were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for anti-inflammatory effects using RAW264.7 cells. Structures of the synthesised compounds were determined using 1H NMR, 13 C NMR, and HRMS. All the compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory activity based on their inhibitory effects against LPS-induced NO release. Among them, 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1, 2, 4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-carboxamide (6p) showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity and inhibited NO release more potently than the lead compound D1. Further studies revealed that compound 6p reduced the levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6, and that its anti-inflammatory activity involves the inhibition of COX-2 and iNOS and downregulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signal pathway. Notably, compound 6p displayed more prominent anti-inflammatory activity than D1 and the positive control ibuprofen in the in vivo acute inflammatory model. Overall, these findings indicate that compound 6p is a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammation.

Identification of TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 as potential therapeutic target genes for liver fibrosis.

The molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not clear. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis induced by HCV and to identify potential therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis. We analyzed gene expression patterns between high liver fibrosis and low liver fibrosis samples, and identified genes related to liver fibrosis. We identified TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 were related to the development of liver fibrosis. HNF4A is important for hepatic fibrogenesis, and upregulation of HNF4A is an ideal choice for treating liver fibrosis. The gene expression of CALM2 is significantly lower in liver fibrosis samples than nonfibrotic samples. TAF1 may serve as a biomarker for liver fibrosis. The results were further validated by an independent data set GSE84044. In summary, our study described changes in the gene expression during the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. The TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 may serve as novel targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

PI3K-AKT Signaling Activation and Icariin: The Potential Effects on the Perimenopausal Depression-Like Rat Model.

Icariin is a prenylated flavonol glycoside isolated from Epimedium herb, and has been shown to be its main bioactive component. Recently, the antidepressant-like mechanism of icariin has been increasingly evaluated and demonstrated. However, there are few studies that have focused on the involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signaling in mediating the perimenopausal depression effects of icariin. Perimenopausal depression is a chronic recurrent disease that leads to an increased risk of suicide, and poses a significant risk to public health. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of icariin on the expression of the PI3K-AKT pathway related to proteins in a rat model of perimenopausal depression. Eighty percent of the left ovary and the entire right ovary were removed from the model rats. A perimenopausal depression model was created through 18 days of chronic unpredictable stimulation, followed by the gavage administration of target drugs for 30 consecutive days. We found that icariin administered at various doses significantly improved the apparent symptoms in the model rats, increased the organ indices of the uterus, spleen, and thymus, and improved the pathological changes in the ovaries. Moreover, icariin administration elevated the serum levels of female hormone estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and interleukin (IL)-2, decreased those of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteotropic hormone (LH), promoted the expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER) and ERα in the hypothalamus, and increased those of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and noradrenaline (NA) in the brain homogenate. Furthermore, icariin elevated the expression levels of AKT, phosphorylation-akt (p-AKT), PI3K (110 kDa), PI3K (85 kDa), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in the ovaries, and inhibited those of Bax. These results show that icariin administration rebalanced the disordered sex hormones in perimenopausal depression rats, regulated the secretion of neurotransmitters in the brain, boosted immune function, and improved the perimenopausal syndrome. The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the expression of PI3K-AKT pathway-related proteins.

Effects of Portulaca Oleracea Extract on Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury of Rats.

The present study was envisaged to investigate the chemical constituents and the intervention effects of Portulaca oleracea extract (POE) on acute alcoholic liver injury of rats. The chemical composition of POE was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Normal control (NC) group, acute alcoholic liver injury model group (ALI), low, medium and high dose of POE (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) groups and bifendate (BF, 3.75 mg/kg) group. Each group was given by intragastrical administration for 7 days. Alcoholic liver injury was induced in the experimental model by administering 50% ethanol at 8 mL/kg and repeated administration after 6 h, for a period of 7 days. The results showed that pretreatment with POE significantly reduced the ethanol-elevated serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and triglyceride (TG). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in liver were enhanced followed by administration of POE, while the content of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was found to decrease. Hepatic content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was also reduced by POE treatment. These results indicated that POE could increase the antioxidant capacity and relieve the inflammatory injury of the liver cells induced by ethanol. Meanwhile, in our study, POE reduced the expression of miR-122, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) 1 mRNA and protein and increased the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA and protein in liver, which indicated that POE could improve the lipid metabolism disorder induced by ethanol. Our findings suggested that POE had protective effects on acute alcoholic liver injury of rats.

[Thinking on safety of "toxic" traditional Chinese medicine for external use].

In recent years,the safety of " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine has received great attention. Similarly,the safety of " toxic" Chinese medicines for external use should not be ignored. In this paper,the adverse reactions of toxic Chinese medicine for external use were systematically studied; the causes for adverse reactions were analyzed; and the key problems on the external use of toxic Chinese medicine in modern clinical practice were put forward. For example,usage dosage(time,area),specific efficacy of external use,early warning index of toxicity,toxic dose,adverse effects,toxic symptoms and corresponding treatment measures all had no reference basis,lacking a systematic toxicity evaluation medication criteria for clinical external use of toxic Chinese medicine. Attention shall be paid to the toxicity of toxic Chinese medicine for external use,and the theory of toxicity evaluation should be established for the external use of " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine under specific conditions. The early warning mechanism for toxic and adverse effects were clarified,and relevant early warning sensitive indicators applicable to clinical use were established in this study to control its risk factors. The study on the mechanism of pharmacodynamics and toxicology of " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine for external use was strengthened to clarify the usage and specific effects of external use. On the basis of this,the study of synergism and reduction of toxicity was carried out to maximize the efficacy of external use of traditional Chinese medicine under specific conditions. A toxicity standard of " toxic" Chinese medicines for external use was put forward,which was of great significance to guide clinical safety,rationality,effectiveness as well as the research and development of new dosage forms for external use of traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on the relationship between insulin growth factor 1 and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between serum protein level of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The cases are divided into four groups. Then serum levels of IFG-1, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, and HCV genotypes were detected simultaneously in patients with hepatitis C, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was measured by transient elastography, and aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio (APRI) score was determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between CHC with T2DM group and CHC group in diabetes family history (P > 0.05), but the difference between the two groups were significantly lower than that of T2DM group ( P < 0.05). The levels of fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in CHC group with T2DM group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups ( P < 0.05), while the IGF-1 RNA and the serum protein level in the two groups were significantly lower than those in the CHC group, and were lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05). The level of serum IGF-1 was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, LSM, and APRI score in CHC with T2DM group ( r = -0.71, -0.75, and -0.69; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The degree of hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHC combined with T2DM was higher than that in non-T2DM patients with CHC, which was mainly related to insulin resistance (IR) induced by 1b genotype HCV infection. IR can lead to impaired synthesis of IGF-1, and the degree of damage has a corresponding relationship with hepatic fibrosis.

Design and Synthesis of C-19 Isosteviol Derivatives as Potent and Highly Selective Antiproliferative Agents.

Six series of novel isosteviol derivatives; modified in the C-19 position; were synthesized; and their antiproliferative activity was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines (HCT-116; BEL-7402; HepG2) and the human L02 normal cell line in vitro. Most of the derivatives tested here exhibited improved antiproliferative activity with high selectivity when compared with the parent compound isosteviol and the positive control drug 5-fluorouracil. Among these derivatives; compound 5d exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity and commendable selectivity between cancer and normal cells. In addition; compound 5d inhibited the colony formation of HCT-116 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Further studies revealed that compound 5d arrested the HCT-116 cell cycle in the S phase; and western blot analysis demonstrated the mechanism may be correlated with a change in the expression of cyclin A; cyclin B1; and cyclin E1. Furthermore; the results of a docking study that involved placing compound 5d into the CDK2/cyclin A binding site revealed that its mode of action was possibly as a CDK2/cyclin A inhibitor.

[Frostbite animal model preparation specification(draft)].

Frostbite is a common disease in winter, and systemic or local injury caused by low temperature invasion. Frostbite sites are commonly face, ears, nose, hands, feet and other peripheral blood circulation parts. The main symptoms are pale skin, cold, pain and numbness, skin itching in high temperature, and severe cases may suffer from skin erosions and ulcers. Frostbite model is a pathological model mainly based on Western medicine index. Based on the analysis of clinical symptoms of frostbite in traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine, and a large number of experimental studies on the existing animal models, the animal model preparation of specifications (draft) was formulated as follows.

CCL17 combined with CCL19 as a nasal adjuvant enhances the immunogenicity of an anti-caries DNA vaccine in rodents.

AIM: CCL19 and its receptor CCR7 are essential molecules for facilitating the trafficking of mature dendritic cells (DCs) and helping to establish a microenvironment in lymphoid tissues to initiate primary immune responses, whereas CCL17 is required in the CCR7-CCL19-dependent migration of DCs. In this study we examined whether co-administration of CCL17 and CCL19 could enhance the immunogenicity of an anti-caries DNA vaccine, pCIA-P, in rodents. METHODS: Plasmids encoding CCL17 (pCCL17/VAX) and CCL19 (pCCL19/VAX) were constructed. BALB/c mice were intranasally administered pCCL17/VAX, pCCL19/VAX, or pCCL17/VAX plus pCCL19/VAX, the migration of DCs to the spleen and draining lymph nodes (DLNs) was assessed with flow cytometry. The mice were co-administered pCIA-P; and the anti-PAc antibodies in the serum and saliva were detected with ELISA. Wistar rats were orally challenged with Streptococcus mutans and then administered pCIA-P in combination with pCCL17/VAX, pCCL19/VAX, or pCCL17/VAX plus pCCL19/VAX. The amount of S mutans sustained on rat molar surfaces was assessed using a colony forming assay. Caries activity was scored with the Keyes method. RESULTS: Co-administration of the CCL17 and CCL19 genes in mice caused a greater increase in the number of mature DCs in the spleen and DLNs compared with administration of CCL17 or CCL19 genes alone. CCL17 and CCL19 double-adjuvant plus pCIA-P induced significantly higher levels of anti-PAc salivary IgA and anti-PAc serum IgG antibody in mice, and strengthened the ability of pCIA-P in inhibiting the colonization of S mutans on rat tooth surfaces. The caries activity of the combined adjuvant group was significantly lower than that of the pCCL17/VAX or the pCCL19/VAX group. CONCLUSION: A nasal adjuvant consisting of a combination of CCL17 and CCL19 attracts more mature DCs to secondary lymphoid tissues, inducing enhanced antibody responses against the anti-caries DNA vaccine pCIA-P and reducing S mutans infection in rodents.

[Study on intervention action of total flavonoids from Ilex Pubescens Radix on animal models of cerebral ischemic tolerance with blood stasis].

The mice models of blood stasis were established by injecting dexamethasone into the intramuscular of side the thigh for successive 15 days, and giving related drugs via an intragastric administration. Firstly, the method of blocking the bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) was used for 10 minutes, and then perfusion restore for 5 days. Secondly, the method of CCA was used for 30 minutes, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity, the activity of NOS and ATPase and the level of NOS, and the content of Glu in the ischemic brain were measured. The morphological changes of brain tissue were observed by eosin (HE) staining technique. The results showed that compared with IPC model group the large doses of the flavonoids could reduce the viscosity of whole blood significantly (P<0.01). The small and medium doses of flavonoids could reduce the whole blood viscosity low-shear obviously (P<0.01). The medium doses of flavonoids could reduce the midst-shear obviously (P<0.05). The large and medium dose of flavonoids could significantly improve the ATP activity (P<0.01). The medium dose of flavonoids could improve the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity significantly (P<0.01). The small dose of flavonoids could improve the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity obviously (P<0.05). The large doses of flavonoids could reduce the content of gluin the ischemic brain significantly (P<0.01). And the others does of flavonoids could reduce the content of gluin the ischemic brain obviously (P<0.05). The large doses of flavonoids could reduce the activity of TNOS and iNOS significantly (P<0.01). The medium doses of flavonoids could reduce the activity of TNOS and iNOS obviously (P<0.05). The small doses of flavonoids could reduce the activity of iNOS obviously (P<0.05). Total flavonoids could obviously or significantly decrease the whole blood viscosity, the activity of NOS and the content of gluin the ischemic brain, increase the activity of ATPase significantly or obviously, could significantly relieve the degree of pathological injury of brain tissue of animal models.

Downregulation of lncRNA TUG1 affects apoptosis and insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic ß cells.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (IncRNAs) perform specific biological functions in diverse processes. Recent studies have reported that IncRNAs may be involved in ß cell function. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of IncRNA TUG1 in mouse pancreatic ß cell functioning both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: qRT-PCR analyses were performed to detect the expression of lncRNA TUG1 in different tissues. RNAi, MTT, TUNEL and Annexin V-FITC assays and western blot, GSIS, ELISA and immunochemistry analyses were performed to detect the effect of lncRNA TUG1 on cell apoptosis and insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: lncRNA TUG1 was highly expressed in pancreatic tissue compared with other organ tissues, and expression was dynamically regulated by glucose in Nit-1 cells. Knockdown of lncRNA TUG1 expression resulted in an increased apoptosis ratio and decreased insulin secretion in ß cells both in vitro and in vivo . Immunochemistry analyses suggested decreased relative islet area after treatment with lncRNA TUG1 siRNA. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of lncRNA TUG1 expression affected apoptosis and insulin secretion in pancreatic ß cells in vitro and in vivo. lncRNA TUG1 may represent a factor that regulates the function of pancreatic ß cells.

Validation of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis of CYP4T expression in crucian carp.

Reference genes are commonly used for normalization of target gene expression during RT-qPCR analysis. However, no housekeeping genes or reference genes have been identified to be stable across different tissue types or under different experimental conditions. To identify the most suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis of target gene expression in the hepatopancreas of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) under various conditions (sex, age, water temperature, and drug treatments), seven reference genes, including beta actin (ACTB), beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), embryonic elongation factor-1 alpha (EEF1A), glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), alpha tubulin (TUBA), ribosomal protein l8 (RPL8) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), were evaluated in this study. The stability and ranking of gene expression were analyzed using three different statistical programs: GeNorm, Normfinder and Bestkeeper. The expression errors associated with selection of the genes were assessed by the relative quantity of CYP4T. The results indicated that all the seven genes exhibited variability under the experimental conditions of this research, and the combination of ACTB/TUBA/EEF1A or of ACTB/EEF1A was the best candidate that raised the accuracy of quantitative analysis of gene expression. The findings highlighted the importance of validation of housekeeping genes for research on gene expression under different conditions of experiment and species.

Factors associated with persistent positive in HBV DNA level in patients with chronic Hepatitis B receiving entecavir treatment.

Introduction: The clinical significance of persistent positive in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA level in patients receiving antiviral therapy is not well known. We investigated factors associated with persistent viremia (PV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) given 78-week entecavir. Methods: A total of 394 treatment-naïve CHB patients who had undergone liver biopsy at baseline and week 78 of treatment were analyzed in this prospective multicentre study. We identified patients with PV (above the lower limit of quantification, 20 IU/ml) after 78 weeks of entecavir therapy. Stepwise, forward, multivariate regression analyses of specified baseline parameters were apllied to identify factors associated with PV. Futhermore, we assessed the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in all patients using models of the risk of HCC development. Results: Of the 394 patients, 90 (22.8%) still with PV after 78-week antiviral treatment. Factors associated significantly with PV (vs complete virological response, CVR) were HBV DNA level ≥8 log10 IU/mL (OR, 3.727; 95% CI, 1.851-7.505; P < 0.001), Anti-HBc level < 3 log10 IU/mL (OR, 2.384; 95% CI, 1.223-4.645; P=0.011), and HBeAg seropositivity (OR, 2.871; 95% CI, 1.563-5.272; P < 0.001). Patients with PV were less likely to have fibrosis progression and HCC development than those with the CVR. Of the 11 HBeAg-positive patients with HBV DNA level ≥8 log10 IU/mL and Anti-HBc level < 3 log10 IU/mL at baseline, 9 (81.8%) had persistent positivity in HBV DNA level and 0 had fibrosis progression at week 78 of treatment. Discussion: In conclusion, HBV DNA level ≥8 log10 IU/mL, Anti-HBc level < 3 log10 IU/mL and HBeAg seropositivity at baseline contribute to PV in patients with CHB receiving 78-week antiviral treatment. In addition, the rate of fibrosis progression and the risk of HCC development in patients with PV were kept low. The complete protocol for the clinical trial has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01962155 and NCT03568578).

An-Luo-Hua-Xian Pill Improves the Regression of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Treated with Entecavir.

Background and Aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can cause liver fibrosis and lead to cirrhosis and cancer. As the effectiveness of antiviral therapy to reverse liver fibrosis is limited, We aimed to evaluate the effect of An-Luo-Hua-Xian pill (ALHX) on fibrosis regression in CHB patients treated with entecavir (ETV). Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with CHB were randomly treated with ETV alone or combined with ALHX (ETV+ALHX) between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2020. Demographic, laboratory, and liver histology data before and after 78 weeks of treatment were collected. The Ishak fibrosis score (F) was used and fibrosis regression required a decrease in F of ≥1 after treatment. Results: A total of 780 patients were enrolled, and 394 with a second liver biopsy after treatment were included in the per-protocol population, 132 in ETV group and 262 in ETV+ALHX group. After 78 weeks of treatment, the fibrosis regression rate in the ETV+ALHX group was significantly higher than that of the ETV group at baseline F≥3 patients: 124/211 (58.8%) vs. 45/98 (45.9%), p=0.035. The percentage of patients with a decreased liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was higher in the ETV+ALHX group: 156/211 (73.9%) vs. 62/98 (63.%), p=0.056. Logistic regression analysis showed that ETV combined with ALHX was associated with fibrosis regression [odds ratio (OR)=1.94, p=0.018], and a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma was on the contrary. (OR=0.41, p=0.031). Conclusions: ETV combined with ALHX increased liver fibrosis regression in CHB patients.

Food Allergy-Induced Autism-Like Behavior is Associated with Gut Microbiota and Brain mTOR Signaling.

Purpose: Food allergy-induced autism-like behavior has been increasing for decades, but the causal drivers of this association are unclear. We sought to test the association of gut microbiota and mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with cow's milk allergy (CMA)-induced autism pathogenesis. Methods: Mice were sensitized intragastrically with whey protein containing cholera toxin before sensitization on intraperitoneal injection with whey-containing alum, followed by intragastric allergen challenge to induce experimental CMA. The food allergic immune responses, ASD-like behavioral tests and changes in the mTOR signaling pathway and gut microbial community structure were performed. Results: CMA mice showed autism-like behavioral abnormalities and several distinct biomarkers. These include increased levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in the hypothalamus; c-Fos were predominantly located in the region of the lateral orbital prefrontal cortex (PFC), but not ventral; decreased serotonin 1A in amygdala and PFC. CMA mice exhibited a specific microbiota signature characterized by coordinate changes in the abundance of taxa of several bacterial genera, including the Lactobacillus. Interestingly, the changes were accompanied by promoted mTOR signaling in the brain of CMA mice. Conclusion: We found that disease-associated microbiota and mTOR activation may thus play a pathogenic role in the intestinal, immunological, and psychiatric Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-like symptoms seen in CAM associated autism. However, this is only a preliminary study, and their mechanisms require further investigation.

Using a System Pharmacology Method to Search for the Potential Targets and Pathways of Yinqiaosan against COVID-19.

The first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Thereafter, it spread through China and worldwide in only a few months, reaching a pandemic level. It can cause severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and lung failure. Since the onset of the disease, the rapid response and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have played a significant role in the effective control of the epidemic. Yinqiaosan (YQS) was used to treat COVID-19 pneumonia, with good curative effects. However, a systematic overview of its active compounds and the therapeutic mechanisms underlying its action has yet to be performed. The purpose of the current study is to explore the compounds and mechanism of YQS in treating COVID-19 pneumonia using system pharmacology. A system pharmacology method involving drug-likeness assessment, oral bioavailability forecasting, virtual docking, and network analysis was applied to estimate the active compounds, hub targets, and key pathways of YQS in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. With this method, 117 active compounds were successfully identified in YQS, and 77 potential targets were obtained from the targets of 95 compounds and COVID-19 pneumonia. The results show that YQS may act in treating COVID-19 pneumonia and its complications (atherosclerosis and nephropathy) through Kaposi sarcoma-related herpesvirus infection and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and pathways in cancer. We distinguished the hub molecular targets within pathways such as TNF, GAPDH, MAPK3, MAPK1, EGFR, CASP3, MAPK8, mTOR, IL-2, and MAPK14. Five of the more highly active compounds (acacetin, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, and quercetin) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. In summary, by introducing a systematic network pharmacology method, our research perfectly forecasts the active compounds, potential targets, and key pathways of YQS applied to COVID-19 and helps to comprehensively clarify its mechanism of action.

Mechanistic Studies of Gypenosides in Microglial State Transition and its Implications in Depression-Like Behaviors: Role of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling.

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder. Microglial state transition has been found in many neurological disorders including depression. Gypenosides (Gypenosides I-LXXVIII, Gps) are saponin extracts isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino that exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities and regulate depression-like behaviors. However, its effect on microglial state transition in depression remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between Gps and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in microglial state transition in vitro and in vivo. First, BV-2 cells (microglial cell line) were exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and treated with 10 or 5 µg/ml Gps. Second, the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression mouse model was used to investigate the antidepressant-like behaviors effects of Gps (100 or 50 mg/kg). We determined depression-like behaviors using the open-field test (OFT), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT). Proteins and inflammatory factors in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and the different microglial reaction states markers were subsequently conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, qPCR, or Western blotting analyses to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties of Gps and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that Gps regulated the microglial cell line state transition in LPS-exposed BV-2 cells, as evidenced by the significantly decreased expression of inflammatory parameters iNOS, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α and significantly promoted anti-inflammatory microglial phenotypes markers CD206 (Mrc1) and IL-10. More importantly, Gps protected against the loss of monoamine neurotransmitters and depression-like behavior in a mouse model of depression, which was accompanied by a regulation of the microglial state transition. Mechanistically, Gps inhibited TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling, which reduced the release of downstream inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α) and promoted microglial phenotype transition, which all together contributed to the antidepressant effect. Our results suggest that Gps prevents depression-like behaviors by regulating the microglial state transition and inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, Gps could be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat depression-like behaviors and other psychiatric disorders.