NLRP3 Phosphorylation Is an Essential Priming Event for Inflammasome Activation.

Many infections and stress signals can rapidly activate the NLRP3 inflammasome to elicit robust inflammatory responses. This activation requires a priming step, which is thought to be mainly for upregulating NLRP3 transcription. However, recent studies report that the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated independently of transcription, suggesting that the priming process has unknown essential regulatory steps. Here, we report that JNK1-mediated NLRP3 phosphorylation at S194 is a critical priming event and is essential for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We show that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is disrupted in NLRP3-S194A knockin mice. JNK1-mediated NLRP3 S194 phosphorylation is critical for NLRP3 deubiquitination and facilitates its self-association and the subsequent inflammasome assembly. Importantly, we demonstrate that blocking S194 phosphorylation prevents NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Thus, our study reveals a key priming molecular event that is a prerequisite for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Inhibiting NLRP3 phosphorylation could be an effective treatment for NLRP3-related diseases.

Glutamatergic neurons in lateral hypothalamus play a vital role in acupuncture preconditioning to alleviate MIRI.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) has high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence has shown that electroacupuncture (EA) plays a critical role in alleviating MIRI. The aim of this study is to investigate whether glutamatergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) have vital effect on MIRI as well as the underlying mechanism during the EA pretreatment. The MIRI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Chemogenetics, electrocardiogram (ECG) recording, ELISA, multichannel physiology recording, and immunofluorescence staining methods were combined to demonstrate that firing frequencies of neurons in the LH and expression of c-Fos decreased by EA pretreatment. Meanwhile, EA preconditioning significantly reduced the percentage of infarct size and the levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB) were similar to inhibition of glutamatergic neurons in LH, also attenuated morphology of myocardial tissue was induced by MIRI. However, activation of glutamatergic neurons in LH weakened the above effects of EA pretreatment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that EA preconditioning can attenuate myocardial injury for MIRI, which is similar to inhibition of glutamatergic neurons in LH. However, chemical activation of glutamatergic neurons in LH attenuates the protective effect of EA pretreatment. These findings help better understand the mechanisms of EA to regulate cardiac function.

Impact of inflammatory factors, hemoglobin A1c, and platelet parameters in gestational diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among inflammatory cytokines including hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Data on 191 pregnant women (96 women with GDM; 95 healthy controls) were extracted from routine prenatal examination records in Nanjing, China. Fasting concentrations of hs-CRP, IL-6, HbA1c, blood cell indices, and glucose at 24-28th gestational weeks were determined. RESULTS: The levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, FPG, PG1h, PG2h, HbA1c, RBC, and PDW significantly were increased (P < 0.05) in GDM group. hs-CRP had a positive correlation with HbA1c and PLT (P < 0.05). The odds ratios of HbA1c and PDW were 7.817 (95% CI 1.921-31.816, P = 0.004) and 1.523 (95% CI 1.158-2.002, P = 0.003), respectively. Furthermore, AUC of the combined diagnosis of GDM including HbA1c, FPG, and PDW reached 0.754, with specificity of 80.0% and sensitivity of 60.4%. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that elevated levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, HbA1c, and PDW at 24-28th gestational weeks even within the conventional normal range, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of GDM and their evaluation should be part of prenatal care routine.

[Mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction in improving kidney injury caused by blood stasis syndrome based on metabolomics and network pharmacology].

This article analyzed the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction(DSD) in improving kidney injury caused by blood stasis syndrome(BSS) in rats. Firstly, 32 female SD rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: a normal group and a BSS group, both receiving an equal amount of distilled water by gavage; a normal+DSD group and a BSS+DSD group, both receiving 5.103 g·kg~(-1) DSD orally for a total of 14 days. Daily cold water bath was given to establish the BSS model, and on the 14th day, BSS rats were subcutaneously injected with 0.8 mg·kg~(-1) adrenaline. Normal rats were subjected to the water bath at 37 ℃ and injected with an equal volume of distilled water. After the experiment, 24-hour urine, serum, and kidney samples were collected for metabolomic analysis, biochemical measurements, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The study then employed ~1H-NMR metabolomic technology to reveal the metabolic network regulated by DSD in improving BSS-induced kidney injury and used network pharmacology to preliminarily elucidate the key targets of the effectiveness of DSD. Pathological and biochemical analysis showed that DSD intervention significantly reduced inflammation and abnormal levels of blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urine protein in the kidneys. Metabolomic analysis indicated that DSD attenuated BSS-induced kidney injury primarily by regulating 10 differential metabolites and three major metabolic pathways(taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, citrate cycle, and acetaldehyde and dicarboxylic acid metabolism). Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the protective effect of DSD against BSS-induced kidney injury might be related to two key genes, ATP citrate lyase(ACLY) and nitric oxide synthase 2(NOS2), and two main metabolic pathways, i.e., arginine biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. This study, from the perspective of network regulation, provides initial insights and evidence into the mechanism of DSD in improving kidney injury induced by BSS, offering a basis for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy.

Histological assessment based on liver biopsy: the value and challenges in NASH drug development.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasingly recognized as a serious disease that can lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death. However, there is no effective drug to thwart the progression of the disease. Development of new drugs for NASH is an urgent clinical need. Liver biopsy plays a key role in the development of new NASH drugs. Histological findings based on liver biopsy are currently used as the main inclusion criteria and the primary therapeutic endpoint in NASH clinical trials. However, there are inherent challenges in the use of liver biopsy in clinical trials, such as evaluation reliability, sampling error, and invasive nature of the procedure. In this article, we review the advantages and value of liver histopathology based on liver biopsy in clinical trials of new NASH drugs. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of liver biopsy and identify future drug development directions.

Histologic pattern is better correlated with clinical outcomes than biochemical classification in patients with drug-induced liver injury.

Histologically, drug-induced liver injury could be classified into acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, acute cholestasis, chronic cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis. The correlation between these histologic patterns and long-term clinical outcomes has not been well established. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association of histologic patterns and long-term clinical outcomes defined as biochemical normalization, persistent abnormal liver biochemistry or death at designated time points. In this study, biochemical classification was determined by R-values; histologic injury pattern was determined by morphological features. Predictive ability of clinical outcomes by these two classifications was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves. Logistic regression was performed to identify histologic factors associated with outcomes. Totally, 88 patients with drug-induced liver injury were included for final analysis. Biochemical and histologic classification were consistent in 50 (57%) cases. 53 (60%) cases showed biochemical normalization within 6 months, and a further 11 (13%), 16 (18%), and 6 (7%) cases within 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Compared with biochemical classification, histologic injury pattern had better predictive ability for abnormal biochemistry at 6 months (Areas under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves 0.92 versus 0.60, P < 0.001) and 1 year (Areas under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves 0.94 versus 0.69, P < 0.001). Interlobular bile duct loss in >25% portal areas was independently associated with abnormal biochemistry at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. In conclusion, histologic injury pattern is better correlated with clinical outcome at 6 months and 1 year than biochemical classification. Moderate bile duct loss is an important histologic feature associated with persistent biochemical abnormality at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years.

Glutathione peroxidase-1 is required for self-renewal of murine embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that are capable of giving rise to any type of cells in the body and possess unlimited self-renewal potential. However, the exact regulatory mechanisms that govern the self-renewal ability of ES cells remain elusive. To understand the immediate early events during ES cell differentiation, we performed a proteomics study and analyzed the proteomic difference in murine ES cells before and after a 6-h spontaneous differentiation. We found that the expression level of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1), an antioxidant enzyme, is dramatically decreased upon the differentiation. Both knockdown of GPx-1 expression with shRNA and inhibiting GPx-1 activity by inhibitor led to the differentiation of ES cells. Furthermore, we showed that during early differentiation, the quick degradation of GPx-1 was mediated by proteasome. Thus, our data indicated that GPx-1 is a key regulator of self-renewal of murine embryonic stem cells.

Dopamine regulates colonic glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor secretion through cholinergic dependent and independent pathways.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) maintains gut homeostasis. Dopamine promotes GDNF release in astrocytes. We investigated the regulation by dopamine of colonic GDNF secretion. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: D1 receptor knockout (D1 R-/- ) mice, adeno-associated viral 9-short hairpin RNA carrying D2 receptor (AAV9-shD2 R)-treated mice, 6-hydroxydopamine treated (6-OHDA) rats and primary enteric glial cells (EGCs) culture were used. Incubation fluid from colonic submucosal plexus and longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus were collected for GDNF and ACh measurements. KEY RESULTS: D2 receptor-immunoreactivity (IR), but not D1 receptor-IR, was observed on EGCs. Both D1 receptor-IR and D2 receptor-IR were co-localized on cholinergic neurons. Low concentrations of dopamine induced colonic GDNF secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, which was mimicked by the D1 receptor agonist SKF38393, inhibited by TTX and atropine and eliminated in D1 R-/- mice. SKF38393-induced colonic ACh release was absent in D1 R-/- mice. High concentrations of dopamine suppressed colonic GDNF secretion, which was mimicked by the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole, and absent in AAV-shD2 R-treated mice. Quinpirole decreased GDNF secretion by reducing intracellular Ca2+ levels in primary cultured EGCs. Carbachol ( ACh analogue) promoted the release of GDNF. Quinpirole inhibited colonic ACh release, which was eliminated in the AAV9-shD2 R-treated mice. 6-OHDA treated rats with low ACh and high dopamine content showed decreased GDNF content and increased mucosal permeability in the colon. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Low concentrations of dopamine promote colonic GDNF secretion via D1 receptors on cholinergic neurons, whereas high concentrations of dopamine inhibit GDNF secretion via D2 receptors on EGCs and/or cholinergic neurons.

Effect of moxibustion on plasma amino acid metabolism in rats with knee osteoarthritis. / è‰¾ç¸å¯¹è†å ³èŠ‚éª¨å ³èŠ‚ç‚Žå¤§é¼ è¡€æµ†æ°¨åŸºé ¸ä»£è°¢çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Zusanli "(ST36) on the plasma amino acid metabolism in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to explore the amino acid metabolism mechanism of moxibustion in repairing cartilage injury in KOA. METHODS: A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model and moxibustion groups, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model and moxibustion groups were injected with the mixture of L-cysteine and papain into bilateral knee joint cavity to make the KOA model. The moxibustion group received moxibustion at bilateral ST36 for 30 min, once daily for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the swelling degree of knee joint was calculated, the mechanical pain threshold was measured by the Von Frey filament, the cartilage tissue injury was observed by HE staining, the matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) content in the synovial tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the differential amino acid metabolites in plasma were detected and screened by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the model group showed irregular cartilage surface, decreased number of chondrocytes, uneven distribution, and local clusters of chondrocytes；the contour of the tide line was blurred. The degree of joint swelling in the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01), the mechanical pain threshold was lower (P<0.01), and the content of MMP-13 in synovial tissue was higher (P<0.01). The contents of proline and tryptophan in the model group were down-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the cartilage tissue damage and knee joint swelling were decreased(P<0.05), mechanical pain threshold was increased(P<0.05), MMP-13 content in synovial tissue and levels of glutamate and histidine expression were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion at ST36 significantly alleviated arthritis-related swelling and pain in KOA model rats, attenuated cartilage damage, and regulated levels of certain plasma amino acid metabolites. Moxibustion may regulate KOA cartilage synthesis and degradation through amino acid metabolic pathways such as proline, tryptophan, glutamate and histidine, exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and protection of cartilage injury effects.

Morphometric Assessment of the Ciliary Body in Patients With Marfan Syndrome and Ectopia Lentis: A Quantitative Study Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.

PURPOSE: To explore the biometric characteristics of the ciliary body in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis (EL). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients with MFS and EL and 72 nondiseased control subjects were recruited. Ciliary body biometric parameters such as ciliary muscle cross-sectional area at 2000 µm from the scleral spur (CMA2000), ciliary muscle thickness at 1000 µm from the scleral spur (CMT1000), and maximum ciliary body thickness (CBTmax) were measured from multiple directions with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). The relationship between ciliary body parameters and other ocular characteristics was also evaluated. RESULTS: Average CMA2000, CMT1000, and CBTmax were 0.692 ± 0.015 mm2, 0.405 ± 0.010 mm, and 0.855 ± 0.023 mm in eyes of patients with MFS, respectively, and were significantly smaller than these values in control subjects (all P < .001). The prevalence of ciliary body thinning was 22.2% in the MFS group vs 0 in the control group (P < .001); eyes with more severe EL had smaller CMA2000 (P = .050), thinner CMT1000 (P = .022), and shorter CBTmax (P = .015). Patients with microspherophakia (MSP) had even smaller CMA2000 (P = .033) and CMT1000 (P = .044) than those without MSP. The most common subluxation direction was in the superonasal quadrant (n = 25; 39.7%), which probably correlates with the thinnest CMT1000 in the inferotemporal quadrant (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MFS and EL had thinner ciliary muscles, shorter ciliary processes, and a higher prevalence of ciliary body thinning, especially those with MSP. Both the extent and direction of subluxation were associated with ciliary body biometry..

Electroacupuncture attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting microglial engulfment of dendritic spines.

A major side effect of reperfusion therapy following myocardial infarction is myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Electroacupuncture preconditioning (EA-pre) has a long history in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we demonstrate how EA-pre attenuates MIRI by affecting the phagocytosis of neuronal dendritic spines of microglia of the fastigial nucleus (FNmicroglia). We observed that EA-pre increased activity in FNGABA and then improved myocardial injury by inhibiting abnormal activities of glutaminergic neurons of the FN (FNGlu) during MIRI. Interestingly, we observed changes in the quantity and shape of FN microglia in mice treated with EA-pre and a decrease in the phagocytosis of FNGABA neuronal dendritic spines by microglia. Furthermore, the effects of improving MIRI were reversed when EA-pre mice were chemically activated by intra-FN lipopolysaccharide injection. Overall, our results provide new insight indicating that EA-pre regulates microglial engulfment capacity, thus promoting the improvement of cardiac sympathetic nervous disorder during MIRI.

A New Target of Electroacupuncture Pretreatment Mediated Sympathetic Nervous to Improve MIRI: Glutamatergic Neurons in Fastigial Nucleus of the Cerebellum.

Ischemic heart disease is a fatal cardiovascular disease that irreversibly impairs the function of the heart, followed by reperfusion leading to a further increase in infarct size. Clinically, we call it myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). A growing number of clinical observations and experimental studies have found electroacupuncture (EA) to be effective in alleviating MIRI. This study attempts to investigate whether glutamatergic neurons in fastigial nucleus (FN) of the cerebellum are involved in EA pretreatment to alleviate MIRI via sympathetic nerves, and the potential mechanisms of EA pretreatment process. A MIRI model was established by ligating the coronary artery of the left anterior descending branch of the heart for 30 minutes, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Multichannel physiological recordings, electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound, chemical genetics, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining methods were combined to demonstrate that EA pretreatment inhibited neuronal firing and c-Fos expression in FN of the cerebellum and reduced cardiac sympathetic firing. Meanwhile, EA pretreatment significantly reduced cardiac ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (SF), percentage infarct area, decreased myocardial norepinephrine (NE), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) concentrations, and improved MIRI-induced myocardial tissue morphology. The results were similar to the inhibition of glutamatergic neurons in FN. However, the activation of glutamatergic neurons in FN diminished the aforementioned effects of EA pretreatment. This study revealed that glutamatergic neurons in FN of the cerebellum is involved in EA pretreatment mediated sympathetic nervous and may be a potential mediator for improving MIRI.

Azonal steatosis correlates with disease severity and poor outcome of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to assess the clinicopathological characteristics and long-term prognosis of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) having distinct steatosis distribution patterns. METHODS: Clinicopathological data of 238 individuals with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD were collected. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-clinical research network (NASH-CRN) and steatosis, activity and fibrosis (SAF)/fatty liver inhibition of progression (FLIP) algorithm were used. Cumulative incidence of liver-related events (LREs) was compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for steatosis distribution. RESULTS: Eligible patients were categorized into three groups based on their steatosis distribution, including azonal steatosis (AS) (62 [26.1%]), perivenular steatosis (PVS) (147 [61.8%]), and the pan-acinar steatosis (PAS) groups (29 [12.1%]). There were significantly higher ballooning grade and disease activity (P < 0.05), more severe fibrosis (P < 0.001), and a higher cumulative incidence of LREs (hazard ratio [HR] 8.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.34-27.35, P < 0.0001) in the AS group than in the PVS and PAS groups after a median of 3.6-year follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed age (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16, P < 0.001) might be independently associated with AS distribution, and PNPLA3 rs738409 CG/GG genotype (OR 3.36, 95% CI 0.98-11.47, P = 0.053) might also play a role. CONCLUSIONS: AS is associated with more severe disease activity and fibrosis stage in NAFLD, and predisposes toward poor prognosis. Age might be an independent predictor for AS in NAFLD, while PNPLA3 rs738409 CG/GG genotype might also play a role.

[Effects of electroacupuncture pretreatment on GABAA receptor of fastigial nucleus and sympathetic nerve activity in rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on cardiac function, sympathetic nerve activity, indexes of myocardial injury and GABAA receptor in fastigial nucleus in rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the neuroregulatory mechanism of EA pretreatment in improving MIRI. METHODS: A total of 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA group, an agonist group and an agonist+EA group, 12 rats in each group. The MIRI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. EA was applied at bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Tongli" (HT 5) in the EA group and the agonist+EA group, with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and intensity of 1 mA, 30 min each time, once a day for 7 consecutive days. After intervention, the MIRI model was established. In the agonist group, the muscone (agonist of GABAA receptor, 1 g/L) was injected in fastigial nucleus for 7 consecutive days before modeling, 150 µL each time, once a day. In the agonist+EA group, the muscone was injected in fastigial nucleus 30 min before EA intervention. The data of electrocardiogram was collected by PowerLab standard Ⅱ lead, and ST segment displacement and heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed; the serum levels of norepinephrine (NE), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were detected by ELISA; the myocardial infarction area was measured by TTC staining; the morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by HE staining; the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABAA receptor in fastigial nucleus were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, in the model group, ST segment displacement and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) of HRV were increased (P<0.01), HRV frequency domain analysis showed enhanced sympathetic nerve excitability, the serum levels of NE, CK-MB and cTnI were increased (P<0.01), the percentage of myocardial infarction area was increased (P<0.01), myocardial fiber was broken and interstitial edema was serious, the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABAA receptor in fastigial nucleus were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, ST segment displacement and LF/HF ratio were decreased (P<0.01), HRV frequency domain analysis showed reduced sympathetic nerve excitability, the serum levels of NE, CK-MB and cTnI were decreased (P<0.01), the percentage of myocardial infarction area was decreased (P<0.01), myocardial fiber breakage and interstitial edema were lightened, the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABAA receptor in fastigial nucleus were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the EA group, in the agonist group and the agonist+EA group, ST segment displacement and LF/HF ratio were increased (P<0.01), HRV frequency domain analysis showed enhanced sympathetic nerve excitability, the serum levels of NE, CK-MB and cTnI were increased (P<0.01), the percentage of myocardial infarction area was increased (P<0.01), myocardial fiber breakage and interstitial edema were aggravated, the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABAA receptor in fastigial nucleus were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA pretreatment can improve the myocardial injury in MIRI rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of GABAA receptor expression in fastigial nucleus, thereby down-regulating the excitability of sympathetic nerve.

Metabonomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to study the therapeutic mechanism of Danggui Sini decoction on collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis rats with Cold Bi syndrome.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by persistent joint inflammation. The development of rheumatoid arthritis is directly correlated with the disturbance of gut microbiome and its metabolites. RA can be effectively treated with the Danggui Sini decoction (DSD), a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription from the Treatise on Febrile Diseases. Further research is needed to clarify the precise mechanism of DSD in the treatment of RA. In this study, 1H NMR metabonomics and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing techniques were used to clarify the intervention of DSD on CIA-induced RA. The results of 1H NMR metabolomics of feces revealed that five metabolites (alanine, glucose, taurine, betaine, and xylose) were disturbed, which could be regarded as potential biomarkers of RA. The intestinal microbiome of RA rats had changed, according to the results of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing; eight microbes (g_norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, g_Ruminococcus_torques_group, g_Dubosiell, g_Lactobacillus, g_norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, g_Bacteroides, g_Oscillibacter, and g_Romboutsia) occurred significantly at the genus level, and DSD significantly impacted six of them (g_Dubosiell, g_Lactobacillus, g_norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, g_Ruminococcus_torques_grou, g_Bacteroides, and g_Romboutsia). Three of them (g_norank_f_Eubacterium_ coprostanoligenes_group, g_Romboutsia, and g_Lactobacillus) were regarded as key microbiomes for DSD to treat RA, and three common metabolic pathways (taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; primary bile acid biosynthesis) were discovered based on the 1H NMR metabonomics and PICRUST2 prediction of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Six SCFAs in feces (acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, caproic acid, isobutyric acid, and valeric acid) increased significantly in RA, according to the outcomes of targeting SCFAs, while five SCFAs (acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, caproic acid, and valeric acid) had decreased significantly due to DSD treatment. In conclusion, our study indicated that DSD could regulate RA's metabolic disorder by affecting intestinal microbiome and its metabolites. It also establishes a framework for future research into exploiting gut microbes therapeutic to treat RA.

Evaluation of aristolochic acid Ι nephrotoxicity in mice via 1H NMR quantitative metabolomics and network pharmacology approaches.

Background: Although many studies have shown that herbs containing aristolochic acids can treat various human diseases, AAΙ in particular has been implicated as a nephrotoxic agent. Methods and results: Here, we detail the nephrotoxic effect of AAΙ via an approach that integrated 1H NMR-based metabonomics and network pharmacology. Our findings revealed renal injury in mice after the administration of AAΙ. Metabolomic data confirmed significant differences among the renal metabolic profiles of control and model groups, with significant reductions in 12 differential metabolites relevant to 23 metabolic pathways. Among them, there were seven important metabolic pathways: arginine and proline metabolism; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; ascorbate and aldehyde glycolate metabolism; pentose and glucosinolate interconversion; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylic acid metabolism. Relevant genes, namely, nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1), pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase 2 (GOT2), were highlighted via network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Quantitative real-time PCR findings revealed that AAI administration significantly downregulated GOT2 and NOS3 and significantly upregulated NOS1 and PYCR1 expression and thus influenced the metabolism of arginine and proline. Conclusion: This work provides a meaningful insight for the mechanism of AAΙ renal injury.

Predictive serum biomarkers of patients with cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke is the third most common cause of death and also causes seizures and disability. Biomarkers are abnormal signal indicators at the biological level that are present before the organism is seriously affected and are more sensitive to early diagnosis than are traditional imaging methods. Early diagnosis of stroke can prevent the progression of the disease. However, there are currently no widely accepted biomarkers for stroke that have been applied clinically. METHODS: A serum metabonomics method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to identify potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways of cerebral infarction. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to verify the diagnostic and classification abilities of the biomarkers, and a support vector machine (SVM) model was developed for the prediction of cerebral infarction. RESULTS: Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation between the normal and cerebral infarction groups. A total of 13 potential serum biomarkers were identified, which were mainly involved in linoleic acid metabolism; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; tyrosine metabolism; arachidonic acid metabolism; and fatty acid biosynthesis. The ROC curve analysis showed that the potential biomarkers had high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of cerebral infarction. The SVM model had good diagnostic ability and could accurately distinguish the control group from the cerebral infarction group. DISCUSSION: The metabonomics approach may be a useful bioanalytical method for understanding the pathophysiology of cerebral infarction and may provide an experimental basis for the development of clinical biomarkers for stroke.

Chiral spiro phosphoric acid-catalysed enantioselective reaction of ketenes with N-H pyrroles.

In the presence of a chiral spiro phosphoric acid catalyst, the asymmetric reaction of disubstituted ketenes with N-H pyrroles occurred to afford enantioenriched C-acylated pyrroles bearing α-stereogenic carbon centres. The described reaction constitutes a rare example of a catalytic asymmetric reaction of ketenes with carbon-based nucleophiles.

Current progress in metabolomics of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders of pregnancy and can cause short- and long-term adverse effects in both pregnant women and their offspring. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of GDM are still unclear. As a metabolic disease, GDM is well suited to metabolomics study, which can monitor the changes in small molecular metabolites induced by maternal stimuli or perturbations in real time. The application of metabolomics in GDM can be used to discover diagnostic biomarkers, evaluate the prognosis of the disease, guide the application of diet or drugs, evaluate the curative effect, and explore the mechanism. This review provides comprehensive documentation of metabolomics research methods and techniques as well as the current progress in GDM research. We anticipate that the review will contribute to identifying gaps in the current knowledge or metabolomics technology, provide evidence-based information, and inform future research directions in GDM.

Non-obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may use a lower liver stiffness cut-off to assess fibrosis stages.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the optimal cut-off values of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) for diagnosing and staging fibrosis in non-obese and obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: NAFLD patients diagnosed by liver biopsy according to the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network scoring system were enrolled in this study. Non-obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2 . LSM was performed by experienced physicians within 2 weeks before or after liver biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients were included. Average BMI of the non-obese (n = 68) and obese (n = 90) groups was 23.2 ± 1.6 and 27.9 ± 2.5 kg/m2 , respectively. After adjusted for age, fibrosis stage, steatosis grade and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the obese group had a LSM of 3.522 kPa higher than the non-obese patients (P = 0.003). LSM values of the non-obese patients had a lower trend when stratified by fibrosis stage, especially in cirrhosis (F4; P = 0.021). Applying separate cut-off values for patients with NAFLD in individual fibrosis stage, 5.8 vs 7.5 kPa (≥ F1), 7.6 vs 8.5 kPa (≥ F2), 9.1 vs 11.2 kPa (≥ F3), and 12.5 vs 14.3 kPa (F4), improved their diagnostic odds ratios compared with overall cut-off values. In the non-obese NAFLD group, using a separate cut-off avoided underestimating 9.1% of patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Non-obese NAFLD group had lower LSM than the obese group. Different cut-off values should be used to measure liver fibrosis stage in non-obese and obese NAFLD patients.