1.Heat-clearing and Toxin-removing Method Reduces Ischemic Stroke Injury by Protecting Endothelial-pericyte and Inhibiting Macrophage Migration
Zijin SUN ; Haojia ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Linjing SONG ; Wenxiu XU ; Jing JI ; Changxiang LI ; Qingguo WANG ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):56-67
ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effects of Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT) on immune cell migration, blood-brain barrier protection, and cellular functional recovery in a model of ischemic stroke. MethodsA transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model was established in mice to induce ischemic stroke. Cerebral blood flow and neurological function were evaluated using laser speckle imaging and neurological deficit scoring. Histopathological damage in brain tissues was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining. Mice were divided into a sham group, a model group, an HLJDT group, and a Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) group. After one week of acclimatization, intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline, the HLJDT group received HLJDT at 1.82 g·kg-¹, and the GBE group received GBE at 0.432 g·kg-¹. Administration was continued for 5 consecutive days, and the tMCAO model was established after the final dose on day 6. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on brain tissues and peripheral immune cells. UMAP and odds ratio (OR) indices were used to analyze cell distribution. Differential expression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of HLJDT on endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages, combined with CellChat and decoupler to analyze cell-cell communication and transcription factor regulation. Finally, PCR and ELISA were used to validate the mRNA and protein expression of relevant genes. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores (P<0.01) and significantly decreased cerebral blood flow (P<0.01), accompanied by cortical structural disorder, aggravated cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased numbers of Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group, both the HLJDT and GBE groups exhibited significantly reduced neurological deficit scores (P<0.01) and markedly improved cerebral blood flow (P<0.01), along with amelioration of cortical structural disorder, alleviated cytoplasmic vacuolization, and reduced numbers of Nissl bodies. Single-cell analysis showed that HLJDT protected endothelial cells and pericytes by preventing their reduction, restored the expression of functional genes in these cells (e.g., PECAM1 and NOS3), and downregulated the expression of chemokines and adhesion-related factors (e.g., CCL2 and CXCL2). In macrophages, HLJDT reduced their recruitment to the central nervous system and downregulated the expression of chemokine receptors and inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-6, CCR2, and CXCR2). Cell-cell communication analysis further indicated that HLJDT, through the above mechanisms, alleviated damage to pericytes and endothelial cells, reduced their recruitment of macrophages, and decreased ligand-receptor interactions in chemokine signaling pathways (including CCL, CXCL, and CSF3) between pericytes/endothelial cells and macrophages, thereby preventing secondary injury. Compared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 (P<0.01), while mRNA expression levels of endothelial- and pericyte function-related genes (RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3) were significantly downregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, the HLJDT and GBE groups exhibited significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3 (P<0.01). At the protein level, compared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01), whereas these protein levels were significantly reduced in the HLJDT and GBE groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). ConclusionHLJDT reduces neuronal damage in ischemic stroke by protecting endothelial cells and pericytes, while inhibiting their interaction with macrophages, thereby mitigating secondary injury in the central nervous system.
2.Association between digital media usage types and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students
DENG Shuangshuang*, XIAO Wan, ZHANG Ying, WAN Yuhui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):538-542
Objective:
To investigate the association between different digital media usage types and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students, so as to provide a scientific reference for making precise mental health prevention and intervention strategies for adolescents.
Methods:
In October 2024, a convenience cluster sample of 3 225 students was collected from 2 junior high schools and 2 senior high schools in Shenyang City. Participants were investigated for its daily usage duration of various digital media types and depressive symptoms. Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to examine trend in depressive symptom detection rates across digital media usage types. Multivariate Logistic regression model was employed to assess associations, with stratified analyses by gender and educational stage.
Results:
The daily usage durations for educational/learning, social/chatting, gaming, and video/music/novel digital media were 30.0(12.1, 60.0), 22.9(9.3, 50.0), 17.1(0.0, 50.0), and 22.9(8.6, 55.7) minutes for junior and senior high school students, respectively. The detection rate of depressive symptoms was 46.1%. Among them, the detection rate of depressive symptoms of girls (49.8%) was higher than that of boys (42.3%), and that of senior high school students (53.2%) was higher than that of junior high school students (39.7%), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2= 18.35, 59.02, both P <0.01). Cochran-Armitage trend test revealed significant upward trends in depressive symptom detection rates with increasing usage of non educational digital media (social/chatting: Z =4.77; gaming: Z =3.24; video/music/novel: Z =7.30, all P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to usage <1 h/d, using social/chatting digital media for 1-<2 h/d ( OR =1.66), 2-<3 h/d ( OR =1.80), and ≥3 h/d ( OR =2.68), gaming for 1-<2 h/d ( OR =1.48), 2-<3 h/d ( OR =1.90), and ≥3 h/d ( OR =2.93), and video/music/novel for 1-<2 h/d ( OR =1.76), 2-<3 h/d ( OR =2.00), and ≥3 h/d ( OR = 3.48) were all significantly associated with increased risks of depressive symptoms (all P <0.01).
Conclusions
Excessive use of non-educational digital media is a risk factor for depressive symptoms in adolescents. Regulating usage duration is beneficial for promoting adolescent mental health.
3.Prevalence and associated factors analysis of the co-occurrence of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students in Anhui Province
WANG Yuting, CHEN Guoping, WU Jing, ZHANG Yukun, YANG Yang, MEI Xuenong
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):584-588
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of the co-occurrence of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students in Anhui Province, so as to provide evidence for comprehensive interventions on physical and mental health among adolescents.
Methods:
From September to December 2024, a multi stage random cluster sampling method was used to select 103 225 junior and senior high school students from 16 prefecture level cities in Anhui Province. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical measurements. Elevated blood pressure was determined according to the Reference of Screening for Elevated Blood Pressure among Children and Adolescents Aged 7-18 Years. Depressive symptoms among middle school students were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Chi-square test, Chi-square test for trend, and multivariate Logistic regression model were used to analyze the risk factors for the co-occurrence of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms.
Results:
The detection rate of elevated blood pressure was 15.22%, the detection rate of depressive symptoms was 18.56%, and the co-occurrence rate of the two conditions was 2.67% among junior and senior high school students. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling for gender, school stage, household registration, and overweight and obesity status,compared with those who don t drink sugary drink and eat fried food, and get enough sleep, sugar sweetened beverage intake <1 and ≥1 time/d( OR =1.28,1.61), fried food consumption ≥1 time/d( OR =1.37), and insufficient sleep ( OR =1.54) were all associated with an increased risk of the co-occurrence of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms(all P <0.05). Daily fresh vegetable intake ≥1 time/d( OR =0.78) and fresh fruit intake ≥1 time/d( OR =0.85) were both associated with a decreased risk of the co-occurrence(both P <0.05). Compared with students who did not eat breakfast, students who ate breakfast sometimes and every day ( OR =0.62,0.36) had a lower co-occurrence risk(both P < 0.05). Junior and senior high school students with daily outdoor activity duration≥1 h ( OR =0.81) had a lower risk of the co-occurrence of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Sugar sweetened beverage drink and fried food consumption, inadequate consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits and breakfast, lack of outdoor activity, and insufficient sleep are risk factors for the co-occurrence of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students in Anhui Province. It is necessary to establish school health promotion strategies integrating nutrition, exercise and sleep management as intervention targets to reduce the co-occurrence risk of elevated blood pressure and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students.
4.α-ketoglutarate ameliorated arsenic-induced hepatic lipid deposition in offspring via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shuangrui BAO ; Hongyan WU ; Ying SUN ; Tong ZHAN ; Qian YANG ; Xinru LIANG ; Zhiyan WAN ; Wenyi CHEN ; Cheng ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):225-231
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males, and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, arsenic group, α-KG group, arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 (GD0-GD16), the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ,15 mg/L) in drinking water everyday, and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG (2 g/kg) everyday. On GD16, pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver, and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides (TGs) and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver; body weight and crown-rump length were reduced (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.05); oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of PI3K, AKT decreased(PTuKey<0.05). Compared with the arsenic group, the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05), the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased (PTuKey<0.05). Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
5.Prognostic significance of TRIM28 elevation in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia
Siqi GONG ; Cong LI ; Mengmeng FAN ; Huiping WANG ; Wanqiu ZHANG ; Xue LIANG ; Qianshan TAO ; Qiang HONG ; Zhimin ZHAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):301-308
ObjectiveTo clarify the expression of TRIM28 in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical indicators and prognosis, and to further explore the effect of TRIM28 expression levels on the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells using small interfering RNA. MethodsThe GSE34577 dataset was analyzed using R software to compare TRIM28 expression between healthy controls and non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Clinical samples from non-M3 AML patients were collected, with TRIM28 expression levels measured using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The analysis focused on correlations between TRIM28 expression and various clinical indicators, treatment efficacy, and patient prognosis. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to downregulate TRIM28 expression in human primary AML cells (HL60 cell line). The effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis were then assessed through CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that TRIM28 was up-regulated in non-M3 AML of both online database GSE34577 and clinical samples (P<0.000 1), TRIM28 expression of new diagnosis group and relapsed refractory group was higher than iron deficiency anemia group (P<0.01), and there was no significance between different French-American-British classification systems subtype. TRIM28 expression was higher in non-M3 AML patients with a poor genetic prognosis stratified as moderate than in the good prognosis group, and TRIM28 expression was associated with NPM1 combined with the FLT3-ITD mutation, positively correlated with age, bone marrow blast, peripheral blood blast and white blood cell, negatively correlated with hemoglobin. In addition, interference TRIM28 greatly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. ConclusionThis study reveals that TRIM28 is highly expressed in non-M3 AML and associated with prognosis, and plays a key role in the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells, suggesting that TRIM28 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for non-M3 AML.
6.The role of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in predicting postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing perioperative joint replacement surgery
Jianxiao WU ; Muchun ZHANG ; Jingyi GUO ; Lizhuang YANG ; Xianwen HU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):321-327
ObjectiveTo explore the role of neuroimaging features monitored by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing joint replacement during perioperative period, and to provide a basis for early clinical prediction. MethodsA total of 105 elderly patients who underwent joint replacement under general anesthesia were included. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was used to evaluate the patient's cognition one day before the operation. Before the start of the surgery, fNIRS was used to monitor the changes of cerebral blood oxygen saturation when the patient performed the task state. The 3-minute delirium diagnostic scale (3D-CAM scale) was used to evaluate the occurrence of POD at 24, 48 and 72 h after operation. Brain network analysis was performed and Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between fNIRS monitoring data and POD in elderly patients undergoing joint replacement surgery during preoperative task state. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to test the goodness of fit of the model. ResultsAmong 105 patients, 100 cases were effectively analyzed, of which 20 cases (20%) had POD. Brain network analysis showed that the r value of functional connectivity correlation coefficient in POD group (0.069±0.118) was lower than that in non-POD group (0.073±0.084). The low channel connectivity of right primary somatosensory cortex-right primary motor cortex (RS1-RM1) and left anterior pole-right Broca's triangle (LFP-RBA44) was an important factor affecting the occurrence of POD (P < 0.05). Based on this result, the area under the ROC curve was 0.797 and 0.784, respectively. The results of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the model fitted well (all P>0.5). ConclusionThe neuroimaging features extracted from the cerebral oxygen saturation data monitored by fNIRS are significantly correlated with the risk of POD in elderly patients undergoing joint replacement during perioperative period. Among them, the low connectivity of preoperative RS1-RM1 and LFP-RBA44 brain network channels is an important influencing factor of POD occurrence. Predicting the occurrence of POD based on fNIRS is conducive to the early intervention and risk reduction of perioperative complications, improving medical quality and promoting precision medical practice.
7.Research progress of urea-containing PET tracers targeting prostate specific membrane antigen
Hong ZHU ; Hui WANG ; Hongwei SI ; Dan ZHANG ; Dengyun CHEN ; Pengfei DAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):369-375
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of male genitourinary system. Prostate cancer has the following characteristics: insidious onset, early asymptomatic or not obvious symptoms, complex etiology and pathogenesis, long incubation period and so on. Therefore, the realization of its early diagnosis and treatment is of great significance to the prognosis of patients. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type 2 transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed on the membrane of almost all primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells, and is an ideal target for prostate cancer imaging and treatment. In recent years, with the approval of urea-containing small molecule PET (positron emission computed tomography) radiopharmaceutical based on PSMA (68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-PSMA-1007), PET-CT (positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography) has shown new potential for early diagnosis and accurate staging of prostate cancer patients. This review mainly summarizes the research progress of urea-containing PSMA PET imaging agents and finds that they have defects such as uptake in non-target tissues like the kidneys, lacrimal glands, and salivary glands. Thus, further optimizing their structure to reduce the uptake in non-target tissues, providing provide convenience for the labeling of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, thereby achieving the goal of integrated diagnosis and treatment, is an important development direction in this field.
8.Research progress on the microbiota-gut-brain axis regulatory mechanisms and targeted dietary interventions in autism spectrum disorder
Mingyue HAO ; Jiajun CHANG ; Zhihua ZHANG ; Lan GAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):376-386
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as autism, is a series of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social disorders and repetitive stereotyped behaviors/narrow interests. Its pathogenesis is complex, and there is a lack of effective treatment drugs, with some cases having adverse outcomes. Recent studies have consistently revealed that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly exhibit characteristics such as gut microbiota dysbiosis (abnormal Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio), impaired intestinal barrier function (elevated serum levels of zonulin and LPS), and intestinal immune dysregulation (increased pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α), suggesting that gastrointestinal abnormalities may influence central nervous system development through neuroendocrine, immunoregulatory, and metabolic pathways. Consequently, growing scholarly attention has focused on dietary interventions as potential approaches to alleviate clinical symptoms in children with ASD. This review systematically summarizes the role of gut microbiota and their metabolite alterations in ASD pathogenesis, along with recent advancements in understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanisms. Additionally, it elaborates on the therapeutic effects and underlying biological basis of restrictive diet therapy, modified diet therapy, and nutritional supplementation therapy in promoting the health of children with ASD. This systematic review reveals that children with ASD exhibit significant gut microbiota dysbiosis (e.g., increased Clostridium, decreased Faecalibacterium) and abnormal metabolite profiles (e.g., altered short-chain fatty acid spectra, elevated 4EPS levels). These alterations exacerbate neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, thereby impacting nervous system development and function. Furthermore, interventions such as ketogenic diets, camel milk, and specific nutritional supplements can alleviate certain ASD symptoms by modulating gut microbiota, restoring intestinal barrier function, and improving metabolic pathways. Future investigations should aim to create multi-omics evaluation systems for pinpointing potential beneficiaries, devise individualized intervention strategies rooted in microbiome characteristics, and verify their therapeutic value and safety in large-scale randomized controlled trials. These efforts are crucial to transitioning ASD treatment from symptomatic control to address disease etiology, thereby paving the way for improving prognoses.
9.Single-center analysis of unplanned reoperation case after liver transplantation
Zhi CHEN ; Qingqing DAI ; Fan HUANG ; Guobin WANG ; Xiaojun YU ; Ruolin WU ; Liujin HOU ; Zhenghui YE ; Xinghua ZHANG ; Wei WANG ; Xiaoping GENG ; Hongchuan ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):452-459
Objective To analyze the main causes and risk factors of unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 242 liver transplant recipients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2015 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether unplanned reoperation was performed during the same hospitalization after surgery, the recipients were divided into the reoperation group (n=36) and the non-reoperation group (n=206). The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data of the two groups, as well as donor and graft-related data, were compared to analyze the risk factors of unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation and the survival status of the two groups. Results Among the 242 liver transplant recipients, 36 underwent unplanned reoperations, with a total of 54 procedures including various laparotomies, endoscopic and interventional surgeries, among which there were 20 laparotomies, 18 endoscopic surgeries and 16 interventional surgeries. The most common cause of unplanned reoperation was biliary complications (20 times), followed by vascular complications (17 times). Compared with the non-reoperation group, the reoperation group had longer graft cold ischemia time, higher postoperative fatality rate of recipients, longer length of stay in the intensive care unit and postoperative hospital stay, and higher total hospitalization costs (all P<0.05). The incidence of unplanned reoperation was higher in recipients who underwent split liver transplantation (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that intraoperative blood loss ≥1 000 mL, positive culture of graft perfusate and split liver transplantation were independent risk factors for unplanned reoperation (all P<0.05). The postoperative 7-day, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month survival rates of recipients in the reoperation group and the non-reoperation group were 100% vs. 98.1%, 88.9% vs. 94.2%, 69.4% vs. 90.8% and 66.7% vs. 90.8%, respectively, and the postoperative survival rate of recipients in the reoperation group was lower than that in the non-reoperation group (P<0.05). Conclusions The main causes of unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation are biliary complications, vascular complications, abdominal incision infection and intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Intraoperative massive blood loss, positive culture of graft perfusate and split liver transplantation are the risk factors associated with unplanned reoperation after liver transplantation.
10.Mechanisms of Shenqi Wenfei Prescription in Intervening in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Rats Based on ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Di WU ; Mengyao SHI ; Lu ZHANG ; Tong LIU ; Jiabing TONG ; Cheng YANG ; Zegeng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):78-87
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Shenqi Wenfei prescription (SQWF) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsA rat model of COPD with lung Qi deficiency was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with cigarette smoke. Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose SQWF groups (2.835, 5.67, 11.34 g·kg-1), and a Yupingfeng group (1.35 g·kg-1). Drug administration began on day 29 after modeling and continued for 2 weeks. The general condition of the rats was observed, and the lung function in each group was assessed. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue. The proportion of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured. Apoptosis in lung tissue was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. The release level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in BALF was detected by a microplate assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in lung tissue were detected using fluorescent probes. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in BALF were measured by biochemical methods. Ultrastructural changes in lung cells were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Double immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in lung tissue. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), Caspase-1 p20, gasdermin D (GSDMD), GSDMD N-terminal active fragment (GSDMD-N), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 in lung tissue. Serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were measured by ELISA. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed lassitude, fatigue, tachypnea, and audible phlegm sounds, and lung function significantly declined (P0.01). Pulmonary emphysema and inflammatory cell infiltration were obvious. The level of inflammatory cells in BALF increased significantly (P0.05). The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased (P0.01). Levels of LDH, ROS, and MDA in BALF increased significantly (P0.01), while GSH and SOD activities decreased significantly (P0.01). Lung tissue cells showed irregular morphology, swollen mitochondria, disrupted cell membranes, and abundant vesicles, i.e., pyroptotic bodies. Protein levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, Caspase-1 p20, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18 in lung tissue were significantly elevated (P0.01), and serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels also increased significantly (P0.01). Compared with the model group, each medication group showed alleviation of qi deficiency symptoms and improved lung function (P0.01). Pulmonary emphysema and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced. Inflammatory cell levels decreased (P0.05). The number of TUNEL-positive cells decreased significantly (P0.01). Levels of LDH, ROS, and MDA decreased significantly (P0.05), while GSH and SOD activities significantly increased (P0.01). Morphological and structural damage in lung tissue was improved to varying degrees. Protein levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, Caspase-1 p20, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18 in lung tissue significantly decreased (P0.01), and serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels also decreased significantly (P0.05). ConclusionSQWF can improve lung function and alleviate inflammatory responses in COPD rats. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway and inhibiting pyroptosis.


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