OBJECTIVEThis study investigates the immune status of T helper (Th) 17 cells in mice with periodontitis.

METHODSSeven-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into the control and periodontitis groups. Each group comprisedfour mice. Experimental periodontitis was induced in mice by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis in the periodontitis group. Phosphate-buffered saline solution was used in the control group. All mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the last P. gingivalis infection. CD4⁺retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR) γτ⁺(Th17) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression of Th17 cell-related cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA).

RESULTSFlow cytometry showed that the percentage of CD4⁺RORγτ⁺(Thl7) cells in all CD4⁺ cells and the cell number in gingival tissues, cervical lymph nodes (CLNs), and the peripheral blood obviously increased (P < 0.01) in the periodontitis group. ELISA showed that compared with the control group, the periodontitis group exhibited an obvious increase in the protein expression of IL-17A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTh17 cell-mediated cell response is enhanced, and the gingival tissues, CLNs, and the peripheral blood are probably the main locations of Thl7 cell-mediated cell response during the development of periodontitis.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; Animals ; Cytokines ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Gingiva ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Random Allocation ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Objective:To investigate regulatory T(Treg)cell-mediated immune response in mice with periodontitis.Methods:8 sev-en-week old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into 2 groups(n =4).Periodontitis was induced in mice by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis).Carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)was used for the sham control mice.All mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the last P.gingivalis infection.CD4 +forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein ex-pression of TGF-1 and IL-1 0 was detected by ELISA.Results:Periodontitis mice showed an obvious decrease in the percentage of CD4 +Foxp3 + cells in CD4 + T cells in gingival tissues,cervical lymph nodes(CLNs)and peripheral blood(P <0.01 ).Moreover,peri-odontitis mice had an obvious increase in the expression of TGF-1 and IL-1 0 in gingival tissues,CLNs and serum(P <0.05).Conclu-sion:Treg cell-mediated immune response is weakened in the mice with periodontitis.Gingival tissues,CLNs and the peripheral blood are probably the main source of Treg cells during periodontitis.

ObjectiveTo explore the value of conventional echocardiography and transthoracic real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in diagnosis of Ebstein anomaly.MethodsWe investigated the morphology and function of right ventricle (RV) as well as the structure, morphology and regurgitation of tricuspid valve in 61 adult patients with Ebstein anomaly before surgery by using conventional echocardiography and transthoracic RT3DE. Twenty normal adults were enrolled as control group. ResultsThe surface of the tricuspid leaflets, the morphology of the tricuspid annulus as well as the three-dimensional structure of the tricuspid valve were displayed stereoscopically by RT3DE. Complete RV volume data could be acquired in 32 patients of Ebstein anomaly. The apex or part of RV could not be contained in the remaining 29 patients. Thirty-four (55.7%) patients with Ebstein anomaly had severe tricuspid regurgitation,
16 (26.2%) patients had moderate to severe regurgitation, and 11 (18.1%) patients had moderate regurgitation. Compared with the normal adults, patients of Ebstein anomaly showed higher RV end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), stroke volume (SV), RV anterior-posterior diameter (RV), tricuspid valve annular transverse diameter (TV-R), and lower RV ejection fraction(EF) [(273.5±77.7) mlvs (74.3±15.9) ml, (187.1±96.8) mlvs (31.1±9.2) ml, (177.4±53.6) ml/m2vs (43.4±8.2) ml/m2, (121.7±65.5) ml/m2vs (18.4±5.1) ml/m2, (95.9±20.2) ml vs (43.6±8.8) ml, (48.1±13.3) ml/m2vs (19.0±1.9) ml/m2, (56.4±8.9) ml/m2vs (28.5±4.3) ml/m2, (38.3±12.8) %vs (59.3±5.1) %, allP<0.05). The tricuspid regurgitant orifice flow cross-sectional area (EROA) were correlated positively with RV anterior-posterior diameter (r=0.691), ratio of RV and LV anterior-posterior diameter (RV/LV) (r=0.6471).ConclusionTransthoracic RT3DE is a feasible method in addition to conventional two-dimensional echocardiography in evaluation of tricuspid valve mophology and function, as well as RV volume and EF in adult patients with Ebstein anomaly.

Objective To assess the peripheral arterial structural and elastic remodeling in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD).Methods Thirty-one patients with LEAD and 34 age-,sex-matched healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study.The intima-media thickness (IMT),diameter (D) and parameters of arterial stiffness (β,pulse wave velocity (PWVβ)) were measured by acquiring the longitudinal view of left and right common femoral artery (LCFA,RCFA) and common carotid artery (LCCA,RCCA) by quality intima-media thickness (QIMT) and quality arterial stiffness (QAS) techniques.The factors correlated with arterial stiffness in LEAD patients were analyzed.Results ① The systolic blood pressure(SBP),pulse pressure(PP),smoking pack-year and smoking extent (nonsmoker,smoker with ＜40 pack-year,or smoker with ≥40 pack-year) were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in the control group (P ＜0.05).②IMT of the LCCA and the diameters (D) of LCCA and RCCA were significantly increased in the LEAD group (P ＜0.05-0.01).As to the both sides CFA,IMT and IMT/D values were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).The mean IMT (mIMT) of both sides of CCA and CFA were increased (P ＜0.05).The values of β,PWVβ of LCCA and PWVβ of RCCA were significantly increased,and β and PWVβ values of both sides of CFA were significantly increased in the LEAD group (P ＜ 0.05).There was a positive correlation between the stiffness indexes of the carotid artery and that of the femoral artery (P ＜0.01).③The femoral mβ was correlated with femoral mIMT,SBP,PP,smoking amount and smoking extent,and the femoral mPWVβ was also correlated with mIMT,age,SBP,PP,smoking pack-year and smoking extent (P ＜0.05-0.01).In multivariable stepwise regression analysis,mIMT and PP were factors independently correlated with femoral mβ.And SBP,smoking extent,and mIMT were independently correlated with femoral mPWVβ.Conclusions Peripheral arteries in patients with LEAD experience vascular remodeling,as well as increased carotid and femoral stiffness.Femoral stiffness is correlated with IMT,arterial blood pressure and smoking extent.

Objective:To analyze the echocardiographic features of operation-related aorto-cardiac fistula(ACF) after surgery or transcatheter procedure, to explore the value of echocardiography on diagnosis of operation-related ACF, and summarize the key points of its diagnosis.Methods:Eight patients with operation-related ACF who were admitted to Fuwai Hospital were collected from July 2002 to December 2020. Echocardiographic features of the 8 patients with operation-related ACF were reviewed and analyzed. The diagnosis methodology was summarized.Results:Of the 8 patients with operation-related ACF, 3 had aortic right atrial fistula and 5 had aortic right ventricular fistula. The fistula was single, which can be located but not limited to the aortic sinus. The median size of the fistula was 4 mm (range: 3-5 mm). There was no aneurysmal dilation of the aortic sinus where the fistula was located. The fractured end of the fistula did not thin, and the fistula had a regular shape. Six of the 8 patients undertook cardiac catheterization and occlusion. One patient received surgical repairment. One patient was treated conservatively.Conclusions:Echocardiography can help diagnose operation-related ACF and provide valuable information for further clinical diagnosis and treatment. Sonographers should avoid missed diagnosis and pay attention to distinguishing from other causes of aortic-cardiac shunt disease.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Liqingtong (LQT) granules in patients with dampness-heat hyperuricemia. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted at the 983rd Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of the People's Liberation Army from March 15, 2023, to August 10, 2023. In total, 119 participants were enrolled in this trial, and participants were given either LQT granules or placebo for 60 days based on a health education. The primary outcome was serum uric acid (SUA) level, and the secondary outcome was the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Safety indicators, including liver function, kidney function, blood routine, glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure, and heart rate were tested on days 0 and 60 of the trial. The data were analyzed using Prism 9 software, and the significance level was set at P < .05. Results: Among 119 participants, six in the LQT granule group and seven in the placebo group dropped out, and 106 participants completed clinical observation. Baseline information, including SUA levels, TCM symptom scores, and other clinical characteristics, did not differ between the groups. At the end of the trial, compared with baseline values, the SUA levels in the LQT granule group decreased (P < .001), and no significant change was observed in the placebo group (P = .422); compared with the placebo group, the SUA levels decreased in the LQT granule group (P = .001). Compared with baseline values, the total TCM symptom scores in the LQT granule group decreased (P < .001), with no change in the placebo group (P = .136). Safety indicators did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion The pilot trial demonstrated the potential of LQT granules to lower SUA levels and improve symptoms of dampness and heat.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of Lishi Huoxue ( damp-dispersing and blood-activating) formula and two decomposed recipes Chinese herbal compound, on the vascular endo-thelial cells by detecting the serum levels of functional indicators of vascular endothelial cells and the aor-tic morphology of the rat model of hyperuricemia. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups:normal group, model group, benzbromarone group, Simiao Pill group, Lishi Huoxue for-mula (LSHX) group, decomposed recipe I for clearing heat and damp (recipe I) group, decomposed recipe Ⅱfor activating blood and resolving stasis ( recipeⅡ) group. The rat model of hyperuricemia was established by intragastrical ( i. g. ) administration of yeaut and adenine. After successful modeling, rats of each medication group were administered i. g. with corresponding drugs, while normal group and mod-el group were i. g. distilled water for consecutive 14 days. Then the serum contents of uric acid ( UA) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and endothelin (ET-1), throm-boxane B2 ( TXB2 ) and 6-keto-PGF1αwere measured by radioimmunoassay. Besides, thoracoabdominal a-orta of all rats were dissected and stained using HE and Masson. Results Compared with normal group, the serum level of UA, ET-1 and TXB2 increased significantly in model group(P<0. 05) and level of NO and 6-keto-PGF1αdecreased(P<0. 05). Compared with the model group, the serum contents of UA, ET-1 and TXB2 showed significantly decreasing in LSHX group(P<0. 05),while in recipe I group UA and ET-1 decreased(P<0. 05)and serum contents of NO, 6-keto-PGF1α in LSHX group, recipe ⅠandⅡ groups increased (P<0. 05). Furthermore, compared with LSHX group, the levels of TXB2 in both recipe groups and ET-1 in recipe Ⅱ group showed on statistical difference. Although LSHX and the two partial prescriptions ( recipe I, II) protected against the injury of aorta, the whole prescription ( LSHX) was more effective than the two decomposed recipes. Conclusion LSHX formula could reduce the serum UA, and protect vascular endothelium and the aorta of rats with hyperuricemia.

Objective To observe the blood-enriching effects and mechanism of albiflorin and paeoniflorin on immunosuppressional model mice with blood deficiency pattern induced by cyclophospha-mide.Methods The mouse model with blood deficiency pattern induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide was treated with intragastrical administration of albiflorin and paeoniflorin at high dose of 30 mg/kg,low dose of 15 mg/kg.Then the peripheral hemogram,thymus gland index and spleen index,granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF),interleukin-3 (IL-3),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were detected. Results High dose albiflorin and high dose paeoniflorin could increase WBC count(P <0.01 )and thymus gland index (P <0.01,P <0.05),serum contents of GM-CSF and G-CSF (P <0.001,P <0.01),also serum content of IL-3 (P <0.01,P <0.05),and decrease the serum content of IL-6(P <0.05)and TNF-α(P <0.001,P <0.01 ).Conclusion The blood-enriching effects against blood-deficiency via regulating the immunological function,suggests that albiflorin and paeoniflorin be the main effective components extracted from White Peony Root (Radix Paeoniae Alba,Baishao)with the effects of nourishing blood and liver.

Objective:To systematically explore the effect and mechanism of melastomatis dodecandri herba(Melastoma dodecandrum Lour.) in the treatment of hepatitis based on network pharmacology.Method:We evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of M.dodecandrum in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis in mice by assessing survival rate,histological analysis,serum transaminases,and related cytokines.Then the mechanism of action was predicted by a network pharmacology-based strategy.Based on the results,we measured the hepatic expression of related genes at mRNA level and proteins related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways.Results:Our study results clearly demonstrated that M.dodecandrum pretreatment significantly allevi-ated liver injury.This was demonstrated by an increase in survival rate,decreased severity of liver damage,and reduced serum transaminase levels compared with those in the Con A group.Moreover,M.dodecandrum significantly reduced the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and interferon-y and increased the liver levels of superoxide dismutase,which indicated that M.dodecandrum exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.On the basis of network phar-macology,50 nodes were selected as major hubs based on their topological importance.Pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the putative targets of M.dodecandrum mostly participate in various pathways associated with the anti-inflammation response,which implies the underlying mechanism by which M.dodecandrum acts on hepatitis.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR analysis showed that M.dodecandrum downregulates the mRNA expression of interleukin-6,Toll-like receptor 7,interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-4,NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α in liver tissues.Western blotting showed that M.dodecandrum pretreatment protected against inflammation through activating the PI3K-Akt pathway by upregulating phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) expression and suppressing NF-κB activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IKK,IκBα,and p65.Conclusion:The present work demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of M.dodecandrum by regu-lating the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways in Con A-induced mice,which provide insights into the treat-ment of hepatitis using M.dodecandrum.

Objective To study the effect of frozen fruit pulp of A(c)aí (Euterpe Oleraceae Mart.) on cyclic nucleotides, neurotransmitters and immune level of rats with asthenia pyrosyndrome.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Huangbo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) group, Gegen Qinlian Decoction (a Chinese herbal medicine compound) group, A(c)aí high-dose group and A(c)aí low-dose group.The rat model of asthenia pyrosyndrome was induced by intramuscular injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate at dose of 0.35 mg/kg once daily for consecutive 21 days.The level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were detected by radioimmunoassay.The levels of dopamine (DA), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D-β-H) and norepinephrine (NE) were detected by enzyme immunoassay.The levels of IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 were detected by using colorimeter.The results of the groups were compared to analyze the effect of Huangbo, Gegen Qinlian Decoction and A(c)aí on rats with asthenia pyrosyndrome.Results High dose A(c)aí could relieve the symptoms due to asthenia pyrosyndrome, and decreased the serum level of cAMP, cGMP, cAMP/cGMP, DA, D-β-H and NE (P<0.05), while increased the serum content of IgG, IgM and C3 (P<0.05,P<0.001 or P<0.05).Conclusion The effect of A(c)aí on cyclic nucleotides, neurotransmitters and immune level was similar with that of Huangbo or Gegen Qinlian Decotion, which proved the cold property of A(c)aí.