1.Molecular cloning of the survivin gene promoter and its specific expression in the human laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cell line
Wansheng BAI ; Shiyin CHENG ; Junli WANG ; Ka BIAN ; Huizhong ZHANG
Journal of Medical Postgraduates 2003;0(06):-
Objective: To construct the eukaryotic expression vector pSurp-EGFP regulated by the survivin gene promoter and to detect the specific expression of the promoter in human laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells by green fluorescent protein assay.Methods: Thesurvivin gene promoter was generated by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and the CMV promoter of the pShuttle vector replaced by the survivin gene promoter to generate the plasmid pSurp.The three plasmids pShuttle,pSurp and pEGFP-C1 were respectively double-enzyme digested so as to produce the plasmids pCMV-EGFP and pSurp-EGFP carrying the CMV or survivin promoter.The purified pCMV-EGFP and pSurp-EGFP were transfected into Hep-2 cell and vascular endothelial cell ECV304 using liposome transfection reagent and the expressions of EGFP detected by the fluorescent microscope.Results: Thesurvivin gene promoter was successfully cloned by PCR,and thesurvivin gene promoter-regulated pSurp-EGFP was constructed.Green fluorescence was observed in Hep-2 cells but not in ECV304. Conclusion: The high specific activity of the survivin gene promoter in Hep-2 cells that we successfully constructed attributes to the studies of tumor specific gene therapy.
2.Influence of injection cefotiam on vanadate oxidation method and dry chemical method assay total bilirubin
Ziyue LI ; Chongyang BAI ; Jianjun SHEN ; Hui XU ; Huizhong ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2016;37(9):1197-1199
Objective Discuss the interference of injection cefotiam on vanadate oxidation method and dry chemical method assay total bilirubin .Methods Collected 60 examples ,include total bilirubin concentration 20 examples less than 20 μmol/L ,20 examples between 150-220 μmol/L and 20 examples between 350-410 μmol/L ,add an equal volume of various concentrations of cefotiam in each case ,formulated into cefotiam final concentrations of 300 ,150 ,75 mg/L of serum samples as the test group ,add an equal volume of water in each serum samples as the control group ,determine all the samples total bilirubin concentration respectively by vanadate oxidation method and dry chemical method ,compared the interference of cefotiam on determined total bilirubin by two method ,analyze the data by SPSS13 .0 .Results Determined total bilirubin by dry chemical method ,the test group higher than the control group ,the difference was statistically significant(P<0 .05) ,at the same total bilirubin levels ,with cefotiam concentrations decreased ,increased rate of total bilirubin concentration were decreased in the experimental group .Determined total bilirubin by vanadate oxidation method ,when the total bilirubin concentration between 150 -220 μmol/L ,the test group was higher than the control group ,the difference was statistically significant(P<0 .05) .Conclusion Interference of injection cefotiam on determined to‐tal bilirubin by dry chemical method is strong ,and with the drug concentration increased ,effect is more obvious ,but determination of total bilirubin by vanadate oxidation method has almost no effect .
3.Dynamic analysis of plasma NT-ProBNP and D-dimer levels in acute pulmonary embolism
Chongyang BAI ; Xiaoli LV ; Zheng SU ; Huan XIN ; Ying CHEN ; Bin LI ; Huizhong ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2014;(5):599-600
Objective To detect plasma amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) ,D-Dimer levels in the pa-tients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in order to investigate their change characteristics and significance .Methods Among 60 patients with suspected APE ,40 cases diagnosed by CT and meeting the thrombolytic condition were set as the experimental group and other 20 cases of excluded APE by CT as the control group .Plasma NT-ProBNP and D-dimer before treatment in the two groups and after 2-week thrombolytic therapy in the experimental thrombolysis were detected and compared .Results The diagnos-tic sensitivity of NT-ProBNP for early APE was 92 .3% and the specificity was 65% ,while the diagnostic sensitivity of D-dimer for early APE was 100% and the specificity was 70% ;the plasma NT-ProBNP and D-dimer levels before thrombolysis in the experi-mental group were significantly higher than those in the control group with statistical differences (P<0 .01) .Conclusion Plasma NT-ProBNP and D-dimer has important clinical significance for APE and can provide the basis for the early diagnosis and the cura-tive effect observation of the patients with APE .
4.Clinical efficacy of transanal total mesorectal excision on transanal endoscopic microsurgery platform in the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer
Xueshan BAI ; Guole LIN ; Xiaoqiang XUE ; Jiaolin ZHOU ; Junyang LU ; Huizhong QIU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2021;20(3):339-345
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) on transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) platform in the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 28 patients with middle and low rectal cancer who underwent taTME on TEM platform in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science from October 2014 to October 2017 were collected. There were 21 males and 7 females, aged 59 years (51 years, 68 years). Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect post-operative defecation function and survival of patients up to October 2020. Patients underwent physical examination, examination of tumor markers including carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9, colonoscopy, rectal magnetic resonance imaging, thoracoabdominal and pelvic enhanced computed tomography (CT) and (or) PET-CT examination during the follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( P25,P75) or M (range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the non parameter Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Surgical and postoperative situations: 28 patients underwent successful surgery, without intra-operative conversion to laparotomy. Of 28 patients, 24 cases underwent colorectal anastomosis and 4 cases underwent colon-anal anastomosis. Twenty-six cases underwent primary protective enterostomy and 2 cases didn't undergo primary protective enterostomy. The operation time of 28 patients was (182±37)minutes and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was 40mL(30 mL, 55 mL). One patient with intraoperative presacral hemorrhage received compression hemostasis. Eleven patients had postoperative complications, including 4 cases with anastomotic leakage, 2 cases with alteration of intestinal flora, 2 cases with paralytic ileus, 2 cases with urinary retention, 2 cases with urinary infection, 1 case with prolapse necrosis of small intestinal stoma, 1 case with anal hemorrhage, 1 case with rectovaginal fistula, 1 case with pelvic infection; some patients had multiple complications. Three patients had non-planned reoperation. One case without primary protective enterostomy had anastomotic leakage at postoperative 3 days, and was improved after emergency transversostomy. One case had prolapse necrosis of small intestinal stoma at postoperative 3 days and was improved after emergency enterostomy and reconstruction. One case with anal hemorrhage was stopped hemorrhage under anoscopy. Patients with other complications were cured after conservative treatments. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 28 patients was 8 days(7 days, 9 days). Results of pathological examination in 28 patients showed 16 cases of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, 3 cases of moderately to highly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 5 cases of highly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 1 case of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 3 cases of pathological complete response. TNM staging of 28 patients showed 3 cases in stage T0N0, 4 cases in stage T1N0, 6 cases in stage T2N0, 4 cases in stage T2N1, 7 cases in stage T3N0, 3 cases in stage T3N1, 1 case in stage T4N1. The distance from tumor to distal margin was (2.2±1.7)cm. The surgical specimens of 28 patients showed negative for proximal, distal and circumferential margins. The number of lymph node dissection was 15±7. The complete rate of total mesorectal excision was 100%(28/28). Eleven of 28 patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy and 17 patients didn't receive neoadjuvant therapy. The tumor diameter, distance from tumor to anal margin, operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were 2 cm(1 cm, 4 cm), 5 cm(4 cm, 6 cm), (187±25)minutes, 45 mL(38 mL, 53 mL), 8 days(7 days, 12 days) for patients with neoadjuvant therapy, respectively, versus 3 cm(2 cm, 4 cm), 5 cm(4 cm, 6 cm), (177±35)minutes, 40 mL(30 mL, 60 mL), 8 days(7 days, 8 days) for patients without neoadjuvant therapy, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-1.127, -0.293, t=0.590, Z=-0.790, -0.876, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up: 23 of 28 patients were followed up for (44±14)months. Of the 23 patients,11 cases were classified as grade A of Williams score for defecation function at postoperative 6 months, 8 cases were classified as grade B and 4 cases were classified as grade C. Eighteen of 23 patients with follow-up had disease-free survival, 1 of whom didn't undergo stoma closure due to anastomotic stenosis at postoperative 6 months. Three patients had distant metastasis, including 1 case with parastomal implantation metastasis, 1 case with sacral metastasis, 1 case with pulmonary metastasis. Two patients died, 1 case of whom died of urinary obstruction and 1 case with mucinous adenocarcinoma died at postoperative 24 months. Conclusion:TaTME based on TEM platform is feasible for middle and low rectal cancer, which has the advantages of preserving anus and negative circumferential margin.
5.Relationship between lumbar spine development and hip development in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Xinwei ZUO ; Gang LIU ; Huizhong BAI ; Lin XU ; Yi ZHAO ; Jingpei REN ; Chuanyu HU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(8):1247-1252
BACKGROUND:Most scholars now believe that children with cerebral palsy who have severe spinal deformities in early childhood(<15 years of age)may have a higher risk of progression of spinal deformities,which may result from imbalances in movement due to pelvic tilt,pain,etc. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between lumbar spine development and hip joint development in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed in 102 children with spastic cerebral palsy admitted at Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2014 to December 2021.All admitted children had X-rays of the pelvic position and the lumbar lateral position.Anteroposterior X-ray of the pelvis was performed to measure femoral head migration percentage,central edge angle,neck-shaft angle,and acetabular index.The sagittal Cobb angle,sacral slope,arch-top distance,and lumbar lordosis index were measured by the lateral X-ray of the lumbar spine.Correlation of the two sets of indicators was further analyzed.All children were divided into normal group,risk group,hip subluxation group and total hip dislocation group according to their femoral head migration percentage,and the differences in lumbar spine indexes between groups were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pearson correlation analysis showed that the femoral head migration percentage was moderately positively correlated with sagittal Cobb angle and arch-top distance,and weakly positively correlated with lumbar lordosis index;the central edge angle was moderately negatively correlated with the arch-top distance and weakly negatively correlated with the sagittal Cobb angle;the neck-shaft angle was weakly positively correlated or not correlated with the sagittal Cobb angle and lumbar lordosis index;and the acetabular index was weakly positively correlated with the sagittal Cobb angle and arch-top distance.No statistically significant correlation was found between the remaining indicators.According to the femoral head migration percentage,the children were divided into four groups,including 25 cases in the normal group,41 cases in the risk group,27 cases in the hip subluxation group,and 9 cases in the total hip dislocation group.The sagittal Cobb angle was significantly increased in the risk group,the hip subluxation group and the total hip dislocation group compared with the normal group,showing an increasing trend group by group,and there were significant differences between groups(P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the lumbar lordosis index in the risk group and the hip subluxation group increased significantly,and there were significant differences between groups(P<0.05).There was an increase trend in the lumbar lordosis index of the total hip dislocation group compared with the normal group.Compared with the normal group,the arch-top distance in the hip subluxation group and the total hip dislocation group increased significantly(P<0.05),and there was a stepwise increasing trend.There was no significant difference in sacral slope between groups.To conclude,the development of the lumbar spine in children with cerebral palsy is closely related to the development of the pelvic hip joint,and the most obvious relationship is between lumbar lordosis and hip dislocation.
6.Effects of Shujin Jiannao Prescription on cell apoptosis in rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Yu JIANG ; Lin XU ; Yalin ZHAO ; Gang LIU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Jingpei REN ; Jie ZENG ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(28):4477-4483
BACKGROUND:Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is one of the most common causes of cerebral palsy.Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an experienced formula for treating cerebral palsy and improving blood supply to the brain developed by the Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating hypoxic-ischemic cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups.There were 12 rats in each of the control and model groups as well as 10 animals in each of the minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Shujin Jiannao Prescription.The neonatal rat ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy model was established in all groups except for the control group.After successful modeling,rats in each drug group were respectively gavaged with minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at a dose of 4,8,and 16 g/kg per day for 1 week.Body mass of rats was measured and behavioral changes were detected before and after drug administration.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histomorphology of hippocampal CA1 region of rat brain tissue,and immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,and Caspase-3 in the brain tissue of rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription significantly increased the body mass of rats(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,minocycline effectively prolonged the suspension time of ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy rats(P<0.05),while medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription significantly prolonged the suspension time,shortened the inclined plane test time,and increased the Longa score of rats(P<0.05).The pathological results showed that after drug intervention,only a small number of neuronal cells in the brain tissue of rats were necrotic,the cells were more neatly arranged,the cell structure was more complete,and only part of the cell nuclei became smaller.Compared with the model group,minocycline and medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription reduced the expression of Bax Caspase-3(P<0.05),medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription increased the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.05),and Bcl-2/Bax protein expression was increased in minocycline and three Shujin Jiannao Prescription groups(P<0.05).In addition,the protein expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner after intervention with Shujin Jiannao Prescription,and there was no significant difference between the minocycline and three Shujin Jiannao Prescription groups(P>0.05).To conclude,the mechanism by which Shujin Jiannao Prescription treats ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy in rats may be to enhance the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,and reduce the expression of Caspase-3,ultimately inhibiting the apoptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells in rats with cerebral palsy.Within a certain range,the higher dose of Shujin Jiannao Prescription indicates the better therapeutic effect,and the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription is as effective as minocycline.
7.Role of Wnt signaling Pathway in Diabetic Osteoporosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Yaqi ZHANG ; Weiguo WANG ; Qidong ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Lingling QIN ; Feng GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):283-292
Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is a kind of bone complication caused by diabetes, which is characterized by the decrease of bone mineral density, the change of bone microstructure and the increase of bone fragility. The process of DOP is closely related to high glucose, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and other mechanisms. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating insulin resistance and bone metabolic balance in diabetes. Regulation of Wnt signal transduction promotes the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)phosphorylation and improves glucose and lipid metabolism. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is also an important way regulating osteocyte-driven bone remodeling, which not only plays an important regulatory role in the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts and improve bone metabolic homeostasis, but also promotes the expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin and type Ⅰ collagen, and improves bone proliferation and osteogenic differentiation by regulating the Wnt pathway. In recent years, the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of DOP has gradually increased, and the exploration of TCM to interfere with the Wnt pathway to improve DOP has made some progress. This paper collects and summarizes the studies on the Wnt signaling pathway in glucose metabolism, bone metabolism and DOP worldwide in the past decade, as well as the related literature on the intervention of DOP by TCM compounds (classical and other compounds), single Chinese medicine and TCM monomers based on the Wnt pathway, in order to provide a reference and direction for the development of new drugs for clinical prevention and treatment of DOP.
8.Inhibition of Oxidative Stress of Sciatic Nerve in Diabetic Rats by Tangbikang Granules Regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 Signaling Pathway
Gang LIU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):75-82
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangbikang granules on oxidative stress of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats by regulating adenylate activated protein kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α/mitochondrial Sirtuins 3 (AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3) signaling pathway. MethodThe spontaneous obesity type 2 diabetes model was established using ZDF rats. After modeling, they were randomly divided into high, medium, and low dose Tangbikang granule groups (2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g·kg-1·d-1) and lipoic acid group (0.026 8 g·kg-1·d-1), and the normal group was set up. The rats were administered continuously for 12 weeks after modeling. The blood glucose of rats was detected before intervention and at 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention. At the 12th week, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), nerve blood flow velocity, mechanical pain threshold, and thermal pain threshold were detected. The sciatic nerve was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the tissue morphology. The ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve was observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in sciatic nerve were determined by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 in sciatic nerve were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group, fasting blood glucose in the model group was increased at each time point (P<0.01). The mechanical pain threshold was decreased (P<0.05), and the incubation time of the hot plate was extended (P<0.01). MNCV, SNCV, and nerve blood flow velocity decreased (P<0.05). The expression level of SOD was decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 were decreased (P<0.01). The structure of sciatic nerve fibers in the model group was loose, and the arrangement was disordered. The demyelination change was obvious. Compared with the model group, the fasting blood glucose of rats in the high dose Tangbikang granule group was decreased after the intervention of eight weeks and 12 weeks (P<0.01). The mechanical pain threshold increased (P<0.05). The incubation time of the hot plate was shortened (P<0.01). MNCV, SNCV, and Flux increased (P<0.05). The expression level of SOD was increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 were increased (P<0.01). The sciatic nerve fibers in the high-dose Tangbikang granule group were tighter and more neatly arranged, with only a few demyelinating changes. The high, medium, and low dose Tangbikang granule groups showed a significant dose-effect trend. ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve sciatic nerve function in diabetic rats by regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway partly to inhibit oxidative stress.
9.Effect of Tangbikang Granules on PI3K Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Gang LIU ; Xinwei ZUO ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):71-80
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of Tangbikang granules(TBK) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. MethodT2DM and NAFLD were induced in ZDF rats, which were then respectively treated (ig) with low-dose (0.625 g·kg-1), medium-dose (1.25 g·kg-1), and high-dose (2.5 g·kg-1) TBK for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body mass were recorded every 4 weeks during the treatment. One week before sampling, the feed intake of rats was detected, and after 12 h night fasting, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate glucose tolerance, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Blood in abdominal aorta and liver were collected for determination of blood glucose and lipid metabolism indexes: Fasting serum insulin (FINS), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). The liver was weighed to calculate the liver index, and the liver tissue morphology was observed and analyzed based on hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The protein levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated IRS and Akt were detected by Western blotting. All data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0. ResultThe feed intake of the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01), and the feed intake the administration groups was lower than that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the 8th and 12th week, the body mass in the model group was lower than that in the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TBK reduced FBG in a concentration-dependent manner. The blood glucose level in OGTT and AUC in the model group were higher/larger than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The blood glucose value in OGTT was decreased in TBK groups and the metformin group compared with that in the model group, and AUC in the administration groups was significantly different from that in the model group (P<0.01). The serum level of FINS and HOMA-IR in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01), and they were lower in the TBK groups than in the model group (P<0.01). Serum levels of TG, TC, HDL-C, NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01), and LDL-C were higher in the model group than in the normal group. Serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and NEFA in the TBK groups were lower than those in the model group, and the levels of TG, LDL-C, and NEFA in TBK groups were concentration-dependent (lowest levels in high-dose TBK group). Compared with the model group, high-dose TBK significantly increased the level of HDL-C (P<0.05). Liver index of the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). The liver index of the administration groups showed a decreasing trend with no significant difference from that in the model group. As for the HE staining result of liver, the model group had unclear structure of liver lobule, enlarged cells of different sizes, and obvious steatosis of hepatocytes. TBK of all doses alleviated liver injury, particularly the high dose. For the PAS staining, compared with the normal group, the model group demonstrated significant fat vacuoles and significant reduction in purplish red glycogen granules in the cytoplasm. The staining results of high- and medium-dose groups of TBK were more similar to the normal group. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of liver tissue. The expression of PI3K protein, p-IRS1/IRS1, and p-Akt/Akt in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01), and they were higher in the high-dose TBK group than in the model group (P<0.01). ConclusionTBK exerts therapeutic effect on T2DM combined with NAFLD in ZDF rats by activating the typical PI3K signaling pathway.
10.Molecular Mechanism of Tangbikang Granules Against Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Huizhong BAI ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Xinwei ZUO ; Shengyuan JIANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):81-90
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Tangbikang granules (TBK) against diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on network pharmacology and in-vivo experiment. MethodThe active components in medicinals of TBK and their target genes were searched from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The active components of the medicinals which are not included in TCMSP were searched from previous research. After the analysis of drug-likeness by SwissADME, the target genes of them were predicted with SwissTargetPrediction. DPN-related target genes were retrieved from GeneCards. The common targets of the disease and the prescription were the hub genes of TBK against DPN, which were uploaded to Metascape for Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. High-sugar and high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, ip) were employed to induce diabetes in rats, and then the model rats were respectively treated with low-dose (0.625 g·kg-1), medium-dose (1.25 g·kg-1), and high-dose (2.5 g·kg-1) TBK for 12 weeks. Sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) was evaluated. After hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, the sciatic nerve was observed under light microscope to examine the nerve damage. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the gene expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway-related targets in rat sciatic nerve, and Western blot to measure the protein expression of AMPK and phosphorylated (p)-AMPK in rat sciatic nerve. ResultThe main active components of TBK, such as quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, leech pteridine A, stigmasterol, and baicalein were screened out, mainly acting on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), protein kinase B (Akt), JUN, and HSP90AA1 and signaling pathways such as AMPK, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT). Molecular docking results showed that β-sitosterol and stigmasterol had high binding affinity with IL-6, TNF, JUN, and HSP90AA1. As for the animal experiment, compared with the normal group, model group had low SNCV of sciatic nerve (P<0.01), disordered and loose myelinated nerve fibers with axonotmesis and demyelinization, low mRNA expression of AMPKα, AMPKβ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), Sirtuin 3 (SirT3), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and low p-AMPK/AMPK ratio in sciatic nerve (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TBK of the three doses raised the SNCV (P<0.01), restored nerve morphology and nerve compactness, and increased the mRNA expression of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, SirT3, and TFAM (P<0.05, P<0.01). The ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK in the high-dose and medium-dose TBK groups was higher than that in the model group (P<0.01), while the protein expression in the low-dose TBK group was insignificantly different from that in the model group. ConclusionTBK exerts therapeutic effect on DPN through multiple pathways and targets. The mechanism is that it activates and regulates AMPK/PGC-1α/SirT3 signaling, which lays a basis for further study of TBK in the treatment of DPN.