1.Construction and Evaluation of Animal Model with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Stagnation Syndrome Combining Atopic Dermatitis
Tingjing ZHONG ; Qin LIU ; Xiong LI ; Junfeng LIU ; Xiumei MO ; Dacan CHEN ; Fenggen YAN
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(6):862-869
Objective To establish a mouse model of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combining atopic dermatitis(AD)and explore the feasibility of modeling by comparing 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis model of mouse,"external dampness+improper diet+irrigation of senna"-induced spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome model of mouse,as well as both in combination of model mouse.Methods The construction of a mouse(Balb/c)with spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome was explored by using the method of"external dampness+improper diet+irrigation of senna",and then DNCB was applied to induce the AD-like lesions in Balb/c mice to establish a mouse model of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combining atopic dermatitis.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were observed,and the symptoms of spleen deficiency and dampness were scored.The severity of AD was evaluated by comparing the skin lesion degree,EASI score,transcutaneous water loss value(TEWL),spleen index and thymus index.The levels of creatinine,glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,gastrin,and amylase were measured.Results(1)During the modeling period of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome,compared with the normal group,spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome group,spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combined with atopic dermatitis group showed obesity,listlessness,filthy and greasy hair,diarrhea,and poor cleanliness around the anal.After combining with the application of the atopic dermatitis model,the body weight of the mice in atopic dermatitis group(P<0.001),spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome group(P<0.05)and spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combined with atopic dermatitis group(P<0.001)decreased sharply compared with the normal group.(2)Compared with the atopic dermatitis group,the degree of skin lesions,EASI score(P<0.05)and TEWL(P>0.05)were higher in the spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combined with atopic dermatitis group.(3)Compared with the normal group,the spleen index of the atopic dermatitis group increased(P<0.001)and the thymus index decreased(P<0.001).Compared with the atopic dermatitis group,the spleen index(P>0.05)and thymus index(P<0.05)of the spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combined with atopic dermatitis group decreased.(4)The results of serum biochemical indexes showed that compared with the normal group,the levels of creatinine(P<0.01),glucose(P<0.001),total cholesterol(P>0.05),triglyceride(P>0.05)and gastrin(P<0.001)in the spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome group were increased,and the level of amylase was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the atopic dermatitis group,the levels of creatinine(P>0.05),glucose(P<0.05),total cholesterol(P>0.05),triglyceride(P>0.05),gastrin(P<0.001)increased and the level of amylase decreased(P>0.05).Conclusion A mouse model of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combining atopic dermatitis,which was induced by the combination of DNCB and"external dampness+improper diet+irrigation of senna",can not only show obvious TCM indications of spleen deficiency and dampness syndrome,but also show the characteristics of AD.This model can be used as a reliable animal model of combination of disease and syndrome.It provides reference for further study on pathological mechanism,pharmacodynamic evaluation and pharmacological mechanism of spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation syndrome combining atopic dermatitis.
2.A Preliminary Proteomic Study of Peitu Qingxin Granules for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Junfeng LIU ; Kai ZHANG ; Xiumei MO ; Saiya WANG ; Fenggen YAN ; Siqi YE ; Jinjing JIA ; Yu ZHANG ; Dacan CHEN ; Xiaobo YU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(2):191-199
Objective A serum proteomic approach was used to explore the targets of action of Peitu Qingxin Granules(composed of Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae,Forsythiae Fructus,Imperatae Rhizoma,Pseudostellariae Radix,etc.)in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.Methods Five patients with atopic dermatitis were selected and treated with Peitu Qingxin Granules for 12 weeks,and five healthy volunteers were used as controls.The clinical core evaluation indexes of atopic dermatitis patients after treatment,including Eczema Area and Severity Index/Scoring Atopic Dermatitis(EASI/SCORAD),Pruritus Score,Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure(POEM),and quality of life index,were assessed.Serum samples were examined using data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry(DIA-MS)technology,and serum differential proteins between atopic dermatitis patients and healthy people,as well as serum differential proteins in atopic dermatitis patients before and after treatment with Peitu Qingxin Granules were screened according to P<0.05 and Fold Change>1.2.GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the differential proteins.Results(1)Compared with the pre-treatment period,the clinical core evaluation indexes of patients with atopic dermatitis,including the EASI/SCORAD,Pruritus Score,POEM,and quality-of-life index,were significantly improved after treatment,and the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05,P<0.01).(2)A total of 28 differential proteins were analyzed in the healthy control group and atopic dermatitis group,of which 12 proteins expressions were increased and 16 proteins were decreased,including ALAD(δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydrogenase),LTA4H(leukotriene A-4 hydrolase),CA1(carbonic anhydrase 1),F11(coagulation factor XI),and LCP1(lymphocyte cytoplasmic protein 1),etc..The main signaling pathways involved are PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,lipids and atherosclerosis,ECM-receptor interaction,platelet activation,NF-κB signaling pathway,and neutrophil extracellular trap formation.(3)A total of 12 different proteins were analyzed in atopic dermatitis patients before and after treatment with Peitu Qingxin Granules,of which 8 proteins were increased and 4 proteins were decreased,including ALAD,FGA(fibrinogen α-chain),IGHV3-64D,and IGHV3-38.They were mainly involved in signaling pathways such as lipids and atherosclerosis,complement pathway,Staphylococcus aureus infection,NF-κB signaling pathway,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis.(4)The expressions of three protein targets including ALAD,FGA and IGHV3-64D,were significantly down-regulated in patients with atopic dermatitis and significantly up-regulated after treatment with Peitu Qingxin Granules.Conclusion The differentially expressed proteins ALAD,FGA and IGHV3-64D may be the action targets of Peitu Qingxin Granules in the treatment of atopic dermatitis,which lays the foundation for further experimental validation.