1.Effects of the Chinese medicine, modified Erchen decoction, on the lipid metabolism and hepatocyte morphology in ApoE-/-mice
Xuejiao XIE ; Jia XU ; Yamei LI ; Ruoxia WU ; Duanfang LIAO ; Congling CHENG ; Dongliang YIN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2015;(4):44-47
Objective To explore the effects of the Chinese medicine, modified Erchen decoction, on the serum lipid spectrum of ApoE-/-mice, and to explore its possible anti-atherosclerotic mechanism.Methods Forty-four male 7-8-week old ApoE-/-mice were used in this experiment.ApoE-/-mouse models of atherosclerosis were generated by high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks.And then, they were given simvastatin or modified Erchen decoction by gavage.The body weight of mice was recorded every week, The mice were sacrificed after treated with the drugs for 8 weeks continuously, and the plasma lipid was determined by enzymatic method.The aortic valves and arches were stained with oil red O to depict atherosclerotic plaques and liver structural changes of the mice were examined by pathology.Results Modified Erchen decoction lowered plasma lipid ( including TCHOL and LDL-C ) significantly ( P<0.01 ) .The body weight was increased in the mice of all groups, but it was more pronounced in the mice of model group than in the blank and modified Erchen decoction groups.The serum CHOL and LDL-C levels were significantly lowered in the modified Erchen decoction group (P<0.01).The area of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic wall was significantly reduced in the mice of modified Erchen decoction group as shown by oil red O staining.The pathological changes of hepatocytes were less severe and the structure of hepatic lobules was better preserved in the mice of modified Erchen decoction group.Conclusions The Chinese medicin modified Erchen decoction can effectively reduce serum lipids, regulate lipid metabolism, and ameliorate the process of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-mice.
2.Expression of Human Papillomavirus L1 Caspid Protein in Cytologic Specimens of Cervix
Bin HUANG ; Ruizhen LI ; Zhihong LIU ; Lanna WU ; Juan LI ; Chun WANG ; Qiuyan ZHOU ; Liming WENG ; Duanfang WU
Acta Medicinae Universitatis Scientiae et Technologiae Huazhong 2009;38(6):824-828
Objective To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of human papillomavirus(HPV)L1 caspid protein in cytologic specimens of the cervix.Methods The HPV L1 caspid protein in cytologic specimens of the cervix was detected by using immunochemistry in 309 women treated in Shenzhen Hospital of Peking University from Jan.2008 to May 2009.According to histological biopsy,of 309 liquid-based cytologic smears,there were 33 cases of normal cervixes or chronic cervititis,168 cases of grade I of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN I),84 cases of grade Ⅱ/Ⅲof CIN,and 24 cases of squamous cell carcinomas(SCC).Results The positive expression rate of HPV L1 caspid protein was 27.3%,66.7%,25.0%,and 0 in the normal cervixes or chronic cervititis,CIN I and CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ,and SCC respectively.There was significant difference between CIN I or SCC and the normal cervixes or chronic cervititis,between CIN I with CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ,and between CIN I or CIN Ⅱ/m with SCC(all P<0.0 1).The positive expression rate of HPV L1 caspid protein was reduced with the lesion progression from CIN I to CINⅡ/Ⅲ to SCC.309 cases were divided into two groups by 30 and 40 years of age,and there was no significant difference in the HPV L1 caspid protein expression between different age groups(P>0.05).The positive expression rate of HPV L1 caspid protein in the over-1000 RLU/PC viral load group was significantly higher than in the under-1000 RLU/PC viral load group(P<0.05).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value of HPV L1 caspid protein for detecting high-grade cervical lesions were 80.6%,60.2%,52.1% and 85.2%,respectively.Conclusion The positive rate of HPV L1 caspid protein is decreased with the lesion progression from CIN I to CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲto SCC.HPV L1 caspid protein among HPV-positive women can be a helpful molecular biomarker in risk assessment and prognostic prediction.
3.Application research progress of single cell RNA-sequencing technology in neurodegenerative diseases
Jianfei WU ; Yu LIU ; Daixu WEI ; Jianlin PU ; Duanfang CAI ; Binglong WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2023;33(12):86-92
Neurodegenerative diseases(NDs)are closely related to the central nervous system and characterized by morphological abnormalities and progressive loss of function in specific neuron groups.The main NDs include Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease.However,no direct therapies for NDs exist.In recent years,single cell RNA-sequencing(scRNA-seq)has been widely used in various NDs.The pathogenesis of NDs is closely related to morphology of immune cells,and the pathogenesis mainly involves mitochondrial function,glucose metabolism,inflammation,and synaptic transmission.Induced pluripotent stem cells are a potential therapy for NDs.Ultimately,we review the application of scRNA-seq to various NDs and provide a reference for prevention and treatment of NDs.
4.Effects of circadian rhythm disturbances on the hypothalamus and testis in male adolescent mice
Yu LIU ; Zhaoping LIU ; Jianlin PU ; Bo XIANG ; Kezhi LIU ; Duanfang CAI ; Jianfei WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(10):1802-1808
Objective To explore the mechanisms of circadian rhythm disorder(CRD)on behavior and testicular spermatogenic capacity in adolescent mice.Methods Thirty SPF grade C57 mice were selected and randomly di-vided into the control and CRD groups with 15 mice in each group.The control group kept 12 h dark/12 h bright circulating light,and the CRD group kept 24 h light.The trial lasted for 61 days.The growth curves of mice in each group were counted;the elevated plus maze test and open field test were performed to detect mice behavior;neuronal morphology was visualized by Nissl staining.The distribution of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)and neuron-specific nuclear protein(NeuN)in the hypothalamus were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot.Expression of testosterone synthesis-related genes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR)and hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase,3 beta-and steroid delta-isomerase 1(HSD3B1)and spermatogenesis-related genes gametogenetin binding protein 2(GGNBP2)and deleted in azoospermia-like(DAZL)were deter-mined by RT-qPCR.Results The weight of the CRD group was significantly higher than that of control group at 61 days;in the elevated plus maze test,the time,frequency,and percentage of time in the open arm of the CRD group were significantly less than those of the control group;in the open field test,there was no significant differ-ence in movement distance between the two groups;however,the residence time of the central area in the CRD group was significantly less than that in the control group;the frequency of entering the central area in the CRD group was significantly less than that in the control group.Nissl staining results showed that the positive cells in the CRD group were significantly lower than the control group.Immunofluorescence and Western blot results showed that Iba1 protein expression was up-regulated and NeuN protein expression was down-regulated in the hypothalamus of the CRD group.In the RT-qPCR experiment,the expression of HSD3B1 in the CRD group was significantly low-er than that of the control group;the expression of GGNBP2 and DAZL in the CRD group was significantly lower than that in the control group.Conclusion The CRD treatment can not only lead to depressive behavior in adoles-cent mice but also reduce the development of reproductive system in male adolescent mice.
5.Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma Polysaccharides Ameliorate Hyperlipidemia in Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota
Jingchen XIE ; Qianqian LIU ; Suhui XIONG ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yuexin LIU ; Ping WU ; Duanfang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):84-92
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides on hyperlipidemia in mice by modulating the gut microbiota. MethodsNinety male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into the following groups (n=15): control, model, simvastatin, low- (100 mg·kg-1), medium- (200 mg·kg-1), and high-dose (400 mg·kg-1) Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides groups. Other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of hyperlipidemia, and drug interventions lasted for 12 weeks. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological changes in the liver and epididymal fat were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and lipid accumulation in the liver was assessed by oil red O staining. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited an increase in body weight (P<0.01), along with marked elevations in serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C (P<0.05,P<0.01). Furthermore, the model group showcased increase in the liver index and epididymal fat coefficient (P<0.05), increased liver fat accumulation, enlargement of adipocytes in the epididymal fat, decreases in both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota, and an increase in the relative abundance of Allobaculum (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides suppressed the increase in body weight (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C (P<0.05,P<0.01), reduced the liver index and epididymal fat coefficient (P<0.05), alleviated liver fat accumulation, and decreased the size of adipocytes in the epididymal fat. Furthermore, it enhanced the alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in mice, reduced the relative abundance of Allobaculum, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Clostridium (P<0.01), and increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Blautia (P<0.01). ConclusionPolygonati Odorati Rhizoma polysaccharides can ameliorate hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet in mice by regulating the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota.