Changes in the total volume and contour density of oval cells in hepatic lobules of rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis： A stereological study / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo quantitatively investigate the changes in the total volume and contour density of hepatic oval cells （HOC） in hepatic lobules of rats with carbon tetrachloride （CCl4）-induced hepatic fibrosis. MethodsA total of 11 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group with 5 rats and hepatic fibrosis group with 6 rats， and CCl4 and olive oil suspension were injected subcutaneously twice a week， 3 mL/kg each time. After five weeks of hepatic fibrosis modeling， five liver tissue blocks with a size of about 1 mm3 were randomly selected from the liver of each rat to prepare one Epon812 epoxy resin-embedded ultrathin section， and the stereological method and transmission electron microscopy were used for the quantitative analysis of the total volume and contour density of HOC in the hepatic lobules of rats. In addition， four liver tissue blocks with a thickness of 2 mm were randomly selected from the remaining liver of each rat to prepare two paraffin-embedded Masson staining sections， and the degree of liver fibrosis in each rat was qualitatively evaluated according to the Metavir staging criteria for liver fibrosis. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. ResultsThe quantitative stereological analysis showed that the total volume of HOC in hepatic lobules was 15.40±7.63 mm3 in the control group and 146.80±114.00 mm3 in the liver fibrosis group， and compared with the control group， the total volume of HOC in hepatic lobules of rats in the liver fibrosis group was significantly increased by 8.53 times （t=-2.551， P=0.031）； the contour density of HOC in hepatic lobules was 56.20±40.40 in the control group and 566.50±317.00 in the liver fibrosis group， and compared with the control group， the contour density of HOC in hepatic lobules of rats in the liver fibrosis group was significantly increased by 9.08 times （t=-3.539， P=0.006）. Qualitative observation showed that liver fibrosis stage of rats reached stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ according to the Metavir scoring criteria， and massive proliferation of HOC was observed around the proliferation site of hepatic stellate cells in the perisinusoidal space of rats. ConclusionCCl4 induces significant proliferation of HOC in hepatic lobules of rats with liver fibrosis.

Nicotinamide Riboside Improves Enteric Neuropathy in Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Through Myenteric Plexus Neuroprotection.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus causes a systemic oxidative stress due in part to the hyperglycemia and the reactive oxygen species generated. Up to 75% of diabetic patients present with an autonomic neuropathy affecting the Enteric Nervous System. Deficits in the human population are chronic dysmotilities with either increased (i.e., constipation) or decreased (i.e., diarrhea) total gastrointestinal transit times. These are recapitulated in the streptozocin-induced diabetic rat, which is a model of Type I Diabetes Mellitus. AIMS: Examine the effects that a precursor of nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD), nicotinamide riboside (NR), had on the development of dysmotility in induced diabetic rats and if fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) could produce the same results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Utilizing a 6-week treatment paradigm, NR was administered intraperitoneally every 48 h. Total gastrointestinal transit time was assessed weekly utilizing the carmine red method. Three weeks following hyperglycemic induction, FMT was performed between NR-treated animals and untreated animals. SIGNIFICANT RESULTS: There is improvement in overall gastrointestinal transit time with the use of NR. 16S microbiome sequencing demonstrated decreased alpha and beta diversity in induced diabetic rats without change in animals receiving FMT. Improvements in myenteric plexus ganglia density in small and large intestines in diabetic animals treated with NR were seen. CONCLUSIONS: NR treatment led to functional improvement in total gastrointestinal transit time in induced diabetic animals. This was associated with neuroprotection in the myenteric plexuses of both small and large intestines of induced diabetic rats. This represents an important first step in showing NR's benefit as a treatment for diabetic enteric neuropathy. Streptozocin-induced diabetic rats have improved transit times and increased myenteric plexus ganglia density when treated with intraperitoneal nicotinamide riboside.

Transplantation of hybrid adipose-derived stem cell sheet with autologous peritoneum: An in vivo feasibility study.

Introduction: In regenerative medicine, cell sheet engineering has various advantages, including the retention of cells at the transplantation site for a longer period and the local delivery of growth factors and cytokines. Adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) is widely used owing to their various functions such as wound healing, immunomodulation, and nerve regeneration, in addition to their ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts. ASC sheet generated using cell sheet engineering is considered effective in preventing anastomotic leakage, a serious postoperative complication in gastrointestinal surgery. However, the ASC sheet is too soft, thin, and brittle to handle with laparoscopic forceps during the operation. Therefore, we considered using the peritoneum, which is stiff and easy to collect while operating, as an alternative support. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using the peritoneum as a support for the precise transplantation of ASC sheets during surgery. Methods: ASCs were isolated from the subcutaneous fat of the inguinal region of Sprague-Dawley (SD) transgenic rats expressing green fluorescent protein. ASCs were cultured until passage 3, seeded in temperature-responsive culture dishes, and the resulting ASC sheet was harvested at more than 80% confluency. Non-transgenic SD rats were used for transplant experiments. The wall peritoneum was harvested from SD rats following laparotomy, and hybrid adipose-derived stem cell (HASC) sheet was prepared by laminating the peritoneum with ASC sheet. The cell sheets were transplanted on the backs of SD rats following the incision. On post-transplantation days 3 and 7, the specimens were extracted. ASC and HASC sheets were then compared macroscopically and histopathologically. Results: HASC sheet transplantation was macroscopically and histopathologically more effective than ASC sheet transplantation. The peritoneum provided sufficient stiffness as a support for precise transplantation. Conclusion: The newly developed HASC sheet, which combine the advantages of ASC sheet with those of the peritoneum, could be more useful for clinical application than the ASC sheet alone.

Effect of Yinchenhao decoction on renal oxidative stress injury in rats with obstructive jaundice and its mechanism of action based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Yinchenhao decoction on renal oxidative stress injury in rats with obstructive jaundice and its association with the regulation of the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear translocation. Methods A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group (S group), model group (O group), low-dose Yinchenhao decoction group (LY group), and high-dose Yinchenhao decoction group (HY group), with 8 rats in each group. For the rats in the S group, the upper common bile duct was isolated without ligation, and for those in the other groups, double ligation of the middle and upper 1/3 of the common bile duct was performed to establish a model of obstructive jaundice. After 7 days, the rats in the LY group and the HY group were given Yinchenhao decoction by gavage at a dose of 6.3 and 18.9 mL/kg, respectively, while those in the S and O groups were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage every day for 7 consecutive days, and the rats were treated on day 14. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr); spectrophotometry was used to measure the activity of the oxidative stress factors superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal tissue; quantitative real- time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) in renal tissue; immunohistochemistry was used to measure observe the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 protein in renal tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further pairwise comparison within groups. Results Compared with the S group, the O group had significant increases in the levels of TBil, DBil, ALT、GGT, BUN, and Cr, a significant reduction in the activity of SOD, and a significant increase in the level of MDA (all P 0.05). Compared with the S group, the O group had a significant reduction in the positive rate of Nrf2 in cell nucleus in renal tissue ( P < 0.05), and compared with the O group, the LY group and the HY group had a significant increase in the positive rate of Nrf2 in cell nucleus ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Yinchenhao decoction can effectively alleviate renal injury caused by obstructive jaundice, possibly by upregulating the protein expression of Nrf2 in renal tissue and regulating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 protein, so as to mediate the protein expression of downstream NQO1, regulate oxidative stress response caused by obstructive jaundice, and thereby alleviate renal injury in rats.

Mechanism of action of Dange Jiecheng decoction in a rat model of alcoholic liver disease based on the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Dange Jiecheng decoction on a rat model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and the anti-oxidative stress mechanism of Dange Jiecheng decoction. Methods A total of 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group with 13 rats and ALD group with 83 rats, and the rats in the ALD group were given liquor by gavage to establish a model of ALD. Then the ALD group was randomly divided into model group, high-dose Dange Jiecheng decoction group (24 g/kg), low-dose Dange Jiecheng decoction group (6 g/kg), and Yiganling tablet group (21 mg/kg), with 17 rats in each group. The rats in the blank group and the model group were given normal saline by gavage, and those in the other groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage, for 4 consecutive weeks. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Western blot was used to measure the contents of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in liver tissue; quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Keap1 and HO-1 in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the blank group, the model group had disordered arrangement of hepatocytes with necrosis, massive inflammatory cell infiltration, and a large number of lipid droplet vacuoles, significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of Keap1 ( P < 0.05), and significant reductions in the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and the mRNA expression level of HO-1 ( P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the high- and low-dose Dange Jiecheng decoction groups and the Yiganling tablet group had ordered arrangement of hepatocytes, reductions in hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cells, and occasional lipid droplet vacuoles, as well as significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of Keap1 ( P < 0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and the mRNA expression level of HO-1 ( P < 0.05). Conclusion By regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, Dange Jiecheng decoction can promote the nuclear import of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of HO-1, and alleviate oxidative stress response, thereby exerting a protective effect on ALD rats.

Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via different transplantation approaches in treatment of rats with liver cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of the frozen and fresh preparations of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （hUC-MSC） on a rat model of liver cirrhosis after transplantation via the portal vein or the caudal vein. MethodsA total of 70 specific pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group （13 rats fed with ordinary tap water and rat food） and liver cirrhosis model group （57 rats given subcutaneous multi-point injection of mixed carbon tetrachloride/olive oil solution）. At week 8， the growth of rats was observed for both groups， and 3 rats were selected from each group for histopathological examination to confirm the formation of liver cirrhosis. A total of 50 rats were selected from the liver cirrhosis model and were divided into model group， portal vein group+fresh cell preparation group， portal vein+frozen cell preparation group， caudal vein+fresh cell preparation group， and caudal vein+frozen cell preparation group using a random number table， with 10 rats in each group. Fresh or frozen hUC-MSC were transplanted via the portal vein or the caudal vein， and after 4 weeks of administration， the different groups were compared in terms of the changes in liver function parameters and liver fibrosis degree. Continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation， and the independent-samples t test was used for comparison between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsAt week 8 of modeling， the model group showed the formation of pseudolobules of different sizes in the liver and met the diagnostic criteria for liver cirrhosis， with significant increases in the levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBil）， and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） compared with the normal group （all P<0.001）， suggesting that the rat model of liver cirrhosis was established successfully. There were significant differences in the levels of ALT， AST， TBil， and ALP between the five groups （F=232.00， 177.10， 112.30， 121.70， all P<0.001）. Further comparison between two groups showed that the model group had significantly higher levels of ALT， AST， TBil， and ALP than the normal group （all P<0.01）， and the portal vein group+fresh cell preparation group， the portal vein+frozen cell preparation group， the caudal vein+fresh cell preparation group， and the caudal vein+frozen cell preparation group had significantly lower levels of ALT， AST， TBil， and ALP than the model group （all P<0.01）. ConclusionThere are significant improvements in liver function and liver fibrosis degree in a rat model of liver cirrhosis at week 4 after the transplantation of hUC-MSC， and frozen or fresh cell preparation and different transplantation approaches have no significant influence on treatment outcome.

Healing Enhancement Assessment of Thermosensitive in Situ Gelling Formulation Containing Metronidazole and Diclofenac Potassium for Ligature-induced Periodontitis in Rats.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the healing efficacy of thermosensitive in situ gelling formulation containing metronidazole and diclofenac potassium on ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP) in rats. Methods: We used 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats; 24 rats were subjected to LIP, while the remaining six rats were used as control. The 24 rats with LIP were subdivided into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 received 5% metronidazole loaded gel, group 2 received 0.2% diclofenac potassium loaded gel, group 3 received 5% metronidazole and 0.2% diclofenac potassium, and group 4 (the control group) did not receive any treatment. Treatment was administered on day 0, and the rats were monitored over seven days. Specimens were collected for histological examination to assess the healing process. Results: We found a statistically significant difference (p < 0.050) in the inflammatory and repair parameters of the healing process between different treatments. Combining the two drugs significantly accelerated the healing compared to the drugs given alone. Conclusions: Using a combination of diclofenac and metronidazole could potentially accelerate the healing process compared to the use of a single drug of either diclofenac or metronidazole.

Acute Increase of Renal Perfusion Pressure Causes Rapid Activation of mTORC1 (Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1) and Leukocyte Infiltration.

BACKGROUND: The present study in Sprague-Dawley rats determined the effects of a rapid rise of renal perfusion pressure (RPP) upon the activation of mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), and the effects upon the infiltration of CD68-positive macrophages/monocytes and CD3-positive T lymphocytes into the kidneys. METHODS: RPP was elevated by 40 mm Hg for 30 minutes in male Sprague-Dawley rats while measuring renal blood flow and urine flow rate. Sham rats were studied in the same way, but RPP was not changed. Since initial studies found that the acute increase of RPP resulted in activation of mTORC1 (phosphorylation of S6S235/236), the effects of inhibition of mTORC1 with rapamycin pretreatment were then determined. RESULTS: It was found that a 30-minute increase of RPP (≈40 mm Hg) resulted in an 8-fold increase of renal sodium excretion which was blunted by rapamycin treatment. Renal blood flow was not affected by the elevation of RPP. Activation of mTORC1 was observed. Significant increases in CD68-positive macrophages were found in both the cortex (intraglomerular and periglomerular regions) and in the outer medullary interstitial regions of the kidney and prevented by rapamycin treatment. Increases in CD3-positive T lymphocytes were observed exclusively in the periglomerular regions and prevented by rapamycin treatment. Upregulation of several proinflammatory markers was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that elevation of RPP rapidly activates mTORC1 resulting in infiltration of immune cells into the kidney.

Expression of SLAMF5 in rat liver transplantation and its relationship with rejection / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of signal lymphocyte activating molecule family member 5 (SLAMF5) in liver transplantation rejection in SD rats.Methods:Forty-five male SD rats without special pathogens, weight 260-300 g, aged 10-12 weeks were included. Among them, forty male SD rats (20 donors and 20 recipients respectively) were established with reference to the " two cuff" method. 15 liver transplantation model rats were randomly divided into 1 week (LT-1W) group, 2 weeks (LT-2W) group and 3 weeks (LT-3W) group, with 5 rats in each group, and 5 normal rats were taken as the normal control group. The expressions of SLAMF5, CD4 and CD8 were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The correlations between SLAMF5 expression in the lymphocyte infiltration area and the rejection activity index was analyzed.Results:The levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin were significantly higher in LT-1W group, LT-2W group and LT-3W group than those in the normal control group (all P<0.05). PCR results showed that the relative expression of SLAMF5 mRNA were (5.44±1.11), (4.69±1.12), (2.18±0.68) respectively, which were increased in LT-1W group, LT-2W group and LT-3W group than those in normal control group (1.01±0.23), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that SLAMF5 and CD4, CD8 positive T cells were mainly distributed in the portal area, hepatic lobule area and around the proliferative bile duct, and there was a certain overlap. Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the expression of SLAMF5 in the lymphocyte infiltration area and the rejection activity index ( r=0.519, P=0.048). Conclusion:The expression of SLAMF5 is increased after liver transplantation in SD rats, and there is a correlation between SLAMF5 expression and liver transplantation rejection in rats.

The role of integrin α4 in the anti-liver fibrosis effect of the sticky sugar amino acid extract of / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of integrin α4 (ITGA4) in liver fibrosis based on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of sticky sugar amino acid (SSAA) in rats. Methods A rat model of liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl 4 , and then colchicine and low-, middle-, and high-dose SSAA were used for intervention, with blank control group and SSAA group as control. After 12 weeks of experimental intervention, serum and liver samples were collected to measure the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and HE staining and Sirius Red staining were used to observe the pathological conditions of liver tissue; quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the transcriptional level of ITGA4, integrin β1 (ITGB1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and TIMP2 in liver tissue; Western blot was used to measure the relative protein expression levels of ITGA4, ITGB1, TGFβ1, α-SMA, MMP2, TIMP1, and TIMP2; immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of TGFβ1 and α-SMA. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for comparison between two groups. Results There were significant increases in AST and ALT in the CCl 4 model group, and intervention with colchicine or low-, middle-, and high-dose SSAA reduced the levels of AST and ALT, with a significant difference between the CCl 4 model group and the other groups (all P < 0.05). HE staining and Sirius Red staining showed disordered structure of hepatic lobules and an increase in collagen fibers in the CCl 4 model group, and the structure of hepatic lobules was improved after intervention with colchicine or low-, middle-, and high-dose SSAA. The CCl 4 model group had significantly higher transcriptional levels of ITGA4, TGFβ1, α-SMA, and TIMP2 than the other groups, and there were significant reductions in the transcriptional levels of each factor after intervention with colchicine or SSAA, with a significant difference between the CCl 4 model group and the other groups (all P < 0.05). The CCl 4 model group had significantly higher protein expression levels of ITGA4, TGFβ1, α-SMA, TIMP2, and TIMP1 and a significantly lower protein expression level of MMP2 than the other groups, and intervention with colchicine or SSAA inhibited the expression of ITGA4, TGFβ1, α-SMA, TIMP2, and TIMP1 and promoted the expression of MMP2. Immunohistochemistry showed that the CCl 4 model group had significantly higher expression levels of TGFβ1 and α-SMA than the other groups, which was inhibited by intervention with colchicine or SSAA. The high-dose SSAA group had the most significant effect in reducing aminotransferases, improving lobular structure, and inhibiting the protein expression of liver fibrosis factors. Conclusion The high expression of ITGA4 in the liver is associated with the development of liver fibrosis, which is consistent with the increases in the expression of TGFβ1 and α-SMA. Inhibiting the expression of ITGA4 can provide more therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis and expand the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of SSAA.

Effect of Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription on the ultrastructure of hepatocyte mitochondria in rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription on the ultrastructure of hepatocyte mitochondria in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods A total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Yishanfu group, and Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription group, with 12 rats in each group. The rats in the model group and the drug groups were administered and modeled since week 2; the rats in the blank group were given normal diet, and those in the other three groups were given high-fat diet. Based on dose conversion between human and animal, the equivalent dose of Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription was 1.26 g/100 g body weight, and the equivalent dose of polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules (Yishanfu) was 0.014 18 g/100 g body weight. The rats in the model group were given 0.9% sodium chloride by gavage, those in the Yishanfu group were given polyene phosphatidylcholine suspension by gavage, and those in the traditional Chinese medicine group were given the granules of Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription by gavage, once a day for 10 consecutive weeks. A transmission electron microscope was used to observe liver ultrastructure and perform a quantitative analysis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups; for further pairwise comparison, the least significant difference t -test was used for data with homogeneity of variance, and the Dunnett's T3 was used for data with heterogeneity of variance. Results The model group had a large number of lipid droplets accumulated in hepatocytes, changes in mitochondrial morphology and structure, and reductions in the number of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription group had a significant reduction in lipid droplets in hepatocytes and significant increases in the number of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum compared with the model group, with intact mitochondrial membrane and structure. The Yishanfu group had a reduction in lipid droplets in hepatocytes, an increase in the number of mitochondria, and a reduction in the number of endoplasmic reticulum, with relatively intact mitochondrial membrane and structure. The quantitative analysis showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a significant increase in the area of lipid droplets and a significant reduction in mitochondria, with a significant difference in mitochondrial density between the two groups (all P < 0.01); after drug intervention, the Yishanfu group had a significant reduction in the area of lipid droplets and a significant increase in the number of mitochondria, with a significant difference in mitochondrial density between the Yishanfu group and the model group (all P < 0.01); compared with the Yishanfu group, the traditional Chinese medicine group had a significantly greater reduction in the area of lipid droplets and a significant increase in the number of mitochondria, with a significant difference in mitochondrial density between the two groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription can improve lipid accumulation, increase mitochondrial density, and protect mitochondrial structure and function, with a better clinical effect than Yishanfu.

Effect of Shuganning injection on the model of cholestasis - type chlorpromazine - induced liver injury constructed by a new tissue - engineered liver / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Shuganning injection (SGN) in alleviating drug-induced cholestasis and the possible mechanisms involved. Methods The liver of Sprague-Dawley rats was decellularized to prepare collagen scaffolds, and then the scaffolds were recellularized with human HepG2 cells to obtain the tissue-engineered liver (normal control group). The tissue-engineered liver was perfused with 10 μmol/L chlorpromazine (CPZ) and bile salt mixture to establish a model of drug-induced cholestasis (CPZ group), and the model was further treated with Shuganning injection (10 3 -fold dilution) as the injury protection group (SGN+CPZ group). The markers for hepatocellular injury [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] and the antioxidant and oxidative stress markers [glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] were measured for all groups, and the normal control group, the CPZ group, and the SGN+CPZ group were compared in terms of the mRNA and protein expression levels of the enzymes associated with liver bile salt metabolism and the enzymes associated with hepatic cholestasis. HE staining was performed to observe liver pathology. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the CPZ group, the SGN+CPZ group had significant reductions in the markers for hepatocellular injury ALT, AST, LDH, and ALP (all P < 0.000 1), significant increases in the oxidative stress markers GSH and SOD ( P < 0.000 1 and P < 0.001), and significant reductions in the markers MDA and ROS ( P < 0.000 1 and P < 0.001). Compared with the CPZ group, the SGN+CPZ group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 12α-hydroxylase (CPY8B1) in hepatocytes (all P < 0.001) and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), small heterodimeric partner (SHP), bile salt export pump (BSEP), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) ( P < 0.000 1, P < 0.01, P < 0.000 1, and P < 0.000 1). HE staining showed that compared with the CPZ group, the SGN+CPZ group had a significant reduction in hepatocyte injury and a significant increase in the number of cells. Conclusion Shuganning injection can alleviate drug-induced cholestatic liver injury caused by chlorpromazine, and it exerts a protective effect by activating FXR in hepatocytes and increasing the expression of SHP to regulate bile salt balance. It also inhibits CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 to reduce the synthesis of hydrophobic bile acids and upregulates the expression of BSEP and MRP2 to promote the excretion of bile salts.

[Effects of the composite of buckwheat-oat-pea on blood glucose in diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of buckwheat-oat-pea (BOP) composite flour [buckwheat ∶ oats ∶ peas=6 ∶ 1 ∶ 1 (quality ratio)] on blood glucose in diabetic rats. METHODS: In this study, 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups by fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight: normal control group, model control group, metformin group, buckwheat group, oats group, BOP low-dose group (BOP-L), medium-dose group (BOP-M), and high-dose group (BOP-H). The rats in the normal control group were fed with normal diet, the rats in the model control group and metformin group were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), and the rats in the buckwheat group, oats group, and BOP-L, BOP-M, BOP-H groups were fed with HFD containing 10% buckwheat flour, 10% oat flour, 3.3% BOP, 10% BOP, 30% BOP, respectively. The HFD in all the groups had the same percentage of energy from fat (45%). After 30 days, the rats fed with HFD received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg, once a week for two weeks) to establish diabetes mellitus. After the model was successful established, the rats were fed for another 28 days. During the study, the body weight, food intake/body weight (FI/BW) and water intake/body weight (WI/BW), food utilization rate, 24 h urine volume, FBG, glucose area under curve (GAUC) of oral glucose tolerance test were measured regularly. At the end of the study, the fasting serum glucose and insulin were measured, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. RESULTS: With the inducing of HFD and streptozotocin, compared with the normal control group, the rats in the model control group had higher FI/BW, WI/BW, 24 h urine volume, FBG, GAUC, HOMA-IR (P < 0.05), and lower body weight, food utilization rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the rats in the three BOP groups all had higher body weight, food utilization rate (P < 0.05), and lower WI/BW, HOMA-IR (P < 0.05); the rats in the BOP-L and BOP-M groups had lower FI/BW, 24 h urine volume, FBG (P < 0.05), and the rats in the BOP-M group also had lower GAUC (P < 0.05). After the establishment of diabetes, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and the other indicators between the rats in the three BOP groups and the buckwheat group or the oats group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The BOP had the effects of reducing blood glucose, insulin resistance and diabetic symptoms on diabetic rats, and had the value for further development and utilization.

Expression of NLRP3 inflammatory body in a rat model of liver fibrosis induced by common bile duct ligation / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory body in the process of liver fibrosis in a rat model of common bile duct ligation (BDL) and the association of NLRP3 inflammatory body with liver fibrosis. Methods A total of 65 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group with 15 rats and BDL model group with 50 rats. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, 10 rats in the model group and 3 rats in the sham-operation group were sacrificed. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), direct bilirubin (DBil), total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acid (TBA), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured, and HE staining, Masson staining, and sirius red-picric acid staining were performed for liver tissue to evaluate liver fibrosis degree. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in liver tissue, Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to measure the expression level of NLRP3 inflammatory body, and ELISA was used to measure the level of the inflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in liver tissue. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the sham-operation group, the BDL model group had significant increases in the serum levels of ALT, AST, DBil, TBil, TBA, and ALP (all P < 0.05) and the level of IL-1β in liver tissue ( P < 0.05), which reached the highest level on day 3 and then decreased. Compared with the sham-operation group over time, the BDL group had a significant increase in liver fibrosis score ( P < 0.05); immunohistochemistry showed gradual increases in the expression of SMA-α and TGF-β1 ( P < 0.05), and Western blot and qRT-PCR showed a gradual increase in the protein expression of NLRP3 inflammatory body in liver tissue ( P < 0.05), which remained stable after day 14. Conclusion Liver injury exists persistently in a rat model of BDL, and liver histopathology shows the dynamic evolution of hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. NLRP3 inflammatory body is in a state of continuous activation and may play an important role in the process of liver fibrosis.

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. decoction exerts a protective effect on rats with severe acute pancreatitis by regulating the lncRNA PVT1/miRNA-30a-5p signaling pathway / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. decoction (YCHT), a classic heat-clearing and cholagogic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, on rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) induced by sodium taurocholate. MethodsA total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation (SO) group, SAP model group, and YCHT (4.0 g/kg) treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. At 24 hours after successful modeling, pancreatic tissue and plasma samples were collected for analysis. HE staining was used to observe pathological injury of the pancreas; ELISA was used to measure the plasma levels of amylase, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β); immunofluorescent staining was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of LC-3 protein, and TUNEL was used to measure cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of LC-3, Beclin-1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), caspase-3, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the pancreas, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of lncRNA PVT1 and miRNA-30a-5p. A one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey’s test were used to analyze the differences between multiple independent samples. ResultsYCHT significantly alleviated the pathological injury of the pancreas of SAP rats, such as edema, necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the SO group, the SAP group had significant increases in the plasma levels of amylase and the inflammatory factors TNFα and IL-1β, and there were significant reductions in the plasma levels of amylase, TNFα, and IL-1β after YCHT treatment (all P＜0.05). Compared with the SO group, the SAP group had significant increases in LC-3II/LC-3I ratio and the protein expression of Beclin-1, XIAP, caspase-3, and NF-κB, and compared with the SAP group, the YCHT group had significant reductions in LC-3II/LC-3I ratio and the protein expression of Beclin-1, XIAP, and NF-κB (all P＜0.05). Compared with the SO group, the SAP group had a significant increase in the expression of lncRNA PVT1 and a significant reduction in the expression of miRNA-30a-5p in the pancreas (both P＜0.05), and compared with the SAP group, the YCHT group had a significant reduction in the expression of lncRNA PVT1 and a significant increase in the expression of miRNA-30a-5p (both P＜0.05). ConclusionCell autophagy and apoptosis mediated by lncRNA PVT1/miRNA-30a-5p may be a drug target for YCHT treatment of SAP, which provides experimental and theoretical bases for further development of the TCM prescription YCHT for the treatment of SAP.

Role and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide combined with aerobic exercise in improving nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rats / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) combined with aerobic exercise (AE) on the liver of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced by high-fat diet based on the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 45 Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group (10 rats fed with normal diet) and high-fat group (35 rats fed with high-fat diet). At the end of week 28, the high-fat group was randomly divided into model group, LBP group, AE group, and LBP+AE group, with 8 rats in each group, and intervention was performed for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, fasting blood glucose was measure for all rats, and serum samples, liver tissue, and visceral fat were collected. Biochemical kits were used to measure the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST); ELISA kits were used to measure the serum levels of fasting insulin (FINS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1); quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), p38 MAPK, and NF-κB in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in TG, TC, AST, ALT, FINS, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (all P ＜0.05), a tendency of increases in the serum levels of the inflammatory factors MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 (all P ＜0.05), and significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB in liver tissue (all P ＜0.05). Compared with the model group, each intervention group had significant reductions in TG, TC, AST, ALT, FINS, and HOMA-IR (all P ＜0.05), a tendency of reductions in the serum levels of the inflammatory factors MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 (all P ＜0.05), and significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB (all P ＜0.05). Compared with LBP group, the LBP+AE group had significant reductions in TG, ALT, FINS, HOMA-IR, MCP-1, the mRNA expression level of TLR4, protein expression levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB(all P＜0.05). Compared with Ae group, the LBP+AE group had significant reductions in FINS, HOMA-IR, IL-6, MCP-1, the mRNA expression level of TLR4 (all P＜0.05). ConclusionLBP combined with AE may improve inflammation in NASH rats by regulating the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Effect of pretreatment with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase agonist on a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and related mechanism / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pretreatment with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist on rats with hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and the possible mechanism. MethodsA total of 54 healthy specific pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into 5-aminimidazole-4-formamide nucleotide (AICAR) treatment group (experimental group), ischemia-reperfusion group (control group), and sham-operation group. Samples were collected at 12, 24, and 72 hours after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion surgery to measure the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the liver. HE staining was used to observe liver histological changes; quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the relative mRNA expression levels of AMPK, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2); Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK, phosphorylated mTOR, phosphorylated GLUT4, and MRP2. The repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsHE staining showed that the experimental group had milder liver injury than the control group at each time point. At 12, 24, and 72 hours after surgery, the control group had significantly higher serum levels of ALT, AST, TBil, IL-6, and TNFα than the experimental group and the sham-operation group, while the experimental group had significantly higher levels than the sham-operation group (all P＜005). At 12, 24, and 72 hours after surgery, the experimental group had a significantly higher level of ATP in liver tissue than the control group and the sham-operation group, and the control group had a significantly lower level than the sham-operation group (all P＜0.05). At 12, 24, and 72 hours after surgery, compared with the control group and the sham-operation group, the experimental group had significantly higher relative mRNA expression levels of AMPK, GLUT4, and MRP2 and protein expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK, phosphorylated GLUT4, and MRP2 (all P＜0.05); compared with the sham-operation group, the control group had significantly higher relative mRNA expression level of AMPK and protein expression level of phosphorylated AMPK, as well as significantly lower relative mRNA expression levels of GLUT4 and MRP2 and protein expression levels of phosphorylated GLUT4 and MRP2 (all P＜0.05). The experimental group had significantly lower relative mRNA expression level of mTOR and protein expression level of phosphorylated mTOR than the control group and the sham-operation group (all P＜0.05), and compared with the sham-operation group, the control group had significantly higher relative mRNA expression level of mTOR and protein expression level of phosphorylated mTOR (both P＜0.05). ConclusionAICAR pretreatment can activate the AMPK signaling pathway, improve energy metabolism pathway, alleviate liver inflammation, and thus reduce the severity of HIRI.

Expression of ASBT and ASGPR mediated receptors for oral liver-targeting preparations in a rat model of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of apical sodium-dependent bile salt transporter (ASBT) and asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the design of oral liver-targeting preparations for the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) by measuring the expression of ASBT and ASGPR. MethodsA total of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected, among which 10 were used to establish a model of HAE (HAE group) and 8 were used as controls (normal group). Immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR were used to measure the expression distribution, protein expression level, and mRNA expression level of ASBT in the ileal tissue of HAE model rats and normal rats; the same methods were used to measure the expression level of ASGPR in the non-diseased liver tissue and the marginal zone of liver tissue lesion of HAE model rats and the liver tissue of normal rats. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between three groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsThe results of immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR showed that compared with the normal group, the HAE group had significantly upregulated expression of ASBT in the ileal tissue (t=5309, 4.110, and 28.060, all P＜0.05) and a significantly higher expression level of ASGPR (the closer to the lesion, the higher the expression) (F=110666, 128.201, and 143.879, all P＜0.001). ConclusionASBT and ASGPR can be used as potential mediated receptors for oral liver-targeting preparations for HAE, which provides a theoretical basis for the design of oral liver-targeting preparations for the treatment of HAE.

Effects of the composite of buckwheat-oat-pea on blood glucose in diabetic rats / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of buckwheat-oat-pea (BOP) composite flour [buckwheat ∶ oats ∶ peas=6 ∶ 1 ∶ 1 (quality ratio)] on blood glucose in diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#In this study, 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups by fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight: normal control group, model control group, metformin group, buckwheat group, oats group, BOP low-dose group (BOP-L), medium-dose group (BOP-M), and high-dose group (BOP-H). The rats in the normal control group were fed with normal diet, the rats in the model control group and metformin group were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), and the rats in the buckwheat group, oats group, and BOP-L, BOP-M, BOP-H groups were fed with HFD containing 10% buckwheat flour, 10% oat flour, 3.3% BOP, 10% BOP, 30% BOP, respectively. The HFD in all the groups had the same percentage of energy from fat (45%). After 30 days, the rats fed with HFD received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg, once a week for two weeks) to establish diabetes mellitus. After the model was successful established, the rats were fed for another 28 days. During the study, the body weight, food intake/body weight (FI/BW) and water intake/body weight (WI/BW), food utilization rate, 24 h urine volume, FBG, glucose area under curve (GAUC) of oral glucose tolerance test were measured regularly. At the end of the study, the fasting serum glucose and insulin were measured, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated.@*RESULTS@#With the inducing of HFD and streptozotocin, compared with the normal control group, the rats in the model control group had higher FI/BW, WI/BW, 24 h urine volume, FBG, GAUC, HOMA-IR (P < 0.05), and lower body weight, food utilization rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the rats in the three BOP groups all had higher body weight, food utilization rate (P < 0.05), and lower WI/BW, HOMA-IR (P < 0.05); the rats in the BOP-L and BOP-M groups had lower FI/BW, 24 h urine volume, FBG (P < 0.05), and the rats in the BOP-M group also had lower GAUC (P < 0.05). After the establishment of diabetes, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and the other indicators between the rats in the three BOP groups and the buckwheat group or the oats group (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The BOP had the effects of reducing blood glucose, insulin resistance and diabetic symptoms on diabetic rats, and had the value for further development and utilization.

Nonclinical safety, tolerance and pharmacodynamics evaluation for meplazumab treating chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum.

Meplazumab is an anti-CD147 humanized IgG2 antibody. The purpose of this study was to characterize the nonclinical safety, tolerance and efficacy evaluation of meplazumab treating chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Meplazumab was well tolerated in repeat-dose toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys. No observed adverse effect level was 12 mg/kg. No difference between genders in the primary toxicokinetic parameters after repeat intravenous injection of meplazumab. No increased levels of drug exposure and drug accumulation were observed in different gender and dose groups. Meplazumab had a low cross-reactivity rate in various tissues and did not cause hemolysis or aggregation of red blood cells. The biodistribution and excretion results indicated that meplazumab was mainly distributed in the plasma, whole blood, and hemocytes, and excreted in the urine. Moreover, meplazumab effectively inhibited the parasites from invading erythrocytes in humanized mice in a time-dependent manner and the efficacy is superior to that of chloroquine. All these studies suggested that meplazumab is safe and well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys, and effectively inhibits P. falciparum from invading into human red blood cells. These nonclinical data facilitated the initiation of an ongoing clinical trial of meplazumab for antimalarial therapy.