1.Exploring the Mechanism of Action of Shenfu Yixin Granules in the Treatment of Heart Failure Based on Network Pharmacology,Molecular Docking and Experimental Verification
Bin WANG ; Xinlu WANG ; Lanxin LI ; Ludan ZHANG ; Lijie QIAO ; Jingjing WEI ; Mingjun ZHU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(9):1352-1363
Objective This study aims to examine the potential mechanism of Shenfu Yixin Granules on heart failure(HF)based on network pharmacology,molecular docking,and experimental verification.Methods(1)The active components of herbs in Shenfu Yixin Granules were screened and retrieved through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP).PubChem database and Swiss Target Prediction platform were used to predict targets.GeneCards and OMIM databases were used to screen HF-related targets.The intersection of active ingredient targets of Shenfu Yixin Granules and HF-related targets was performed by using Venny 2.1.0 platform to obtain common targets,which were the potential targets for anti-HF effect of Shenfu Yixin Granules.The potential targets were imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and screen the core targets of Shenfu Yixin Granules for the treatment of HF.GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of potential targets were carried out by using DAVID database.AutoDock Vina software was used for molecular docking validation of key active ingredients and core targets.(2)SD rats were randomly allocated into sham operation group,model group,Shenfu Yixin Granules(5.28 g·kg-1)group,and positive control group(sacubitril-valsartan,20.8 mg·kg-1),with eight rats in each group.A rat model of HF after myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.The rats were subsequently administered orally with the corresponding drugs once daily for a period of four weeks.Cardiac function including left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS)in rats was assessed by echocardiography.Additionally,the histopathological alterations in rat heart tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining.The serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),artial natriuretic peptide(ANP),and aldosterone(ALD)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Furthermore,real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot were employed to detect mRNA and protein expressions of CAV1、F2 and MAPK1 in heart tissue.Results(1)A total of 210 active ingredients and 1 196 targets of Shenfu Yixin Granules,as well as 801 HF-related targets were obtained.Venny 2.1.0 platform was used to acquire 97 potential targets(common targets)of Shenfu Yixin Granules for the treatment of HF.Key active ingredients,such as quercetin,luteolin,arachidonic acid,kaempferol,and tanshinaldehyde were screened by"drugs-active ingredients-disease-targets"network analysis.The core targets including MAPK1、F2、CAV1、EDN1 and GJA1 were identified through PPI network analysis.The potential targets are mainly concentrated in multiple biological processes,namely,the positive regulation of gene expression,cardiac development,and the positive regulation of MAPK cascade,and involve multi key pathways including MAPK signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway etc.Good binding activities were observed between MAPK1,CAV1,EDN1,F2 and quercetin,luteolin,kaempferol,tanshinaldehyde,as well as MAPK1,F2 and arachidonic acid.(2)Compared with sham operation group,LVEF and LVFS of rats significantly reduced(P<0.01),heart mass index obviously increased(P<0.05)in the model group.Myocardial tissue appears obvious pathological damage,and the degree of interstitial fibrosis was serious.The collagen volume fraction of the heart significantly increased(P<0.01).The levels of serum BNP,ANP and ALD significantly increased(P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of CAV1、F2 and MAPK1 in heart tissue significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,LVEF and LVFS of rats obviously increased(P<0.01),but the decrease in heart mass index was not significant(P>0.05)in Shenfu Yixin Granules group and positive control group.The pathological damage in myocardial tissues was significantly improved,the degree of interstitial fibrosis was significantly reduced.The collagen volume fraction of the heart significantly decreased(P<0.01).The levels of serum BNP,ANP and ALD significantly decreased(P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of CAV1、F2 and MAPK1 in heart tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Shenfu Yixin Granules may improve heart function and myocardial fibrosis in heart failure rats through the interaction between the active ingredients(quercetin,luteolin,arachidonic acid,kaempferol,and tanshinaldehyde)and targets(MAPK1,F2,CAV-1,and EDN1),so as to regulate MAPK signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
2.A Meta-analysis on the infection rates on Mycoplasma genitalium in the genitourinary tract of different populations in China
Yan XUAN ; Lanxin WEI ; Xiang HONG ; Xiaoyue ZHU ; Shuheng DONG ; Qinyu YAN ; Lianghong WANG ; Bei WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2021;42(2):335-342
Objective:Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg) is an opportunity pathogenic microorganism mainly transmitted through sexual contact. In recent years, scholars have paid more attention to Mg infection and pathogenicity. This study was aimed to understand the condition of Mg in the genitourinary tract of different populations in China and provide evidence for further study of its pathogenic characteristics. Methods:Cross-section studies of Mg infection in the Chinese community were searched by China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang digital database, SinoMed, Pubmed, and Web of Science from database construction to March 10 th, 2020. Studies were sifted and screened independently by two evaluators based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and Meta-analysis was conducted with R 1.1.463. If I 2≤50%, the fixed-effect model should be adopted, if I 2>50%, the random effect model should be adopted, and through subgroup analysis, the source of heterogeneity should be found out as far as possible. Results:A total of 47 research articles were included in this article, all of which were medium and high-quality articles. There was no obvious publication bias, and the results were more reliable. The research contained 19 provinces and Hong Kong Special administrative region, including 519 healthy people, 10 504 patients from clinics or hospitals of sexual transmitted disease (STD), 3 200 on Gynecology and 1 624 on Urology, 1 082 patients with men who have sex with men(MSM), 1 842 patients with Female sex worker(FSW), and 3 691 patients with HIV/AIDS. The infection rate of Mg in the genitourinary tract of the healthy population was 0.94% (95% CI: 0.07%-2.78%), the infection rate of Mg was 11.58% (95% CI: 8.57%-14.97%), 15.22% (95% CI: 7.99%-24.27%), 7.32% (95% CI: 4.24%-11.16%) among patients from clinics or hospitals of STD, gynecology and urology respectively. The infection rate of MSM was 9.70% (95% CI: 3.06%-19.52%),the infection rate of FSW was 13.49% (95% CI: 11.97%-15.08%). The infection rate of Mg among HIV infected patients was 20.46% (95% CI: 13.67%-28.22%). Conclusions:The infection rate of Mg in a healthy population was low. Mg infection rate in the genitourinary tract of other groups was still higher, which is worthy of further attention.
3.Influencing factors of proteinuria in patients with hypertension in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Liming ZHAO ; Hongwei LI ; Yao ZHOU ; Lanxin LIU ; Yong WU ; Wei DU ; Yongxing FU ; Danzhi ZHOU ; Qianqiu CHE ; Jing SHI ; Guodan ZHAO ; Qian LI ; Xiajiao YANG ; Jinzi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2021;40(8):616-621
Objective:To investigate the risk factors of proteinuria in patients with hypertension in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Methods:From March 2019 to June 2020, prospective design was used to collect data of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau hypertension patients who were eligible for continuous enrollment in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine in Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region. Questionnaire survey, physical examination and blood pressure measurement were performed on the selected patients. Fasting venous blood samples were collected for liver function test, blood lipid test, blood glucose test, and hemoglobin test, etc. Three times of morning urine samples were taken on different days, and urine protein creatinine ratio (UACR) was measured, UACR < 30 mg/g was negative for urinary protein, and UACR≥30 mg/g was positive for urinary protein. At the same time, the selected patients were examined by carotid artery color ultrasound and heart color ultrasound. The risk factors of proteinuria were analyzed.Results:A total of 588 patients with hypertension met the inclusion criteria, including 472 patients (80.3%) who received antihypertensive drug therapy, 239 patients (40.6%) had antihypertensive treatment compliance, and 252 patients (42.9%) reached the standard blood pressure after theropy. Hypertension was associated with diabetes mellitus in 150 patients (25.5%), and urinary protein was positive in 126 patients (21.4%). In univariate analysis, ethnic composition, systolic blood pressure [(138.19 ± 19.65) vs (133.16 ± 18.45) mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa], diastolic blood pressure [(85.80 ± 13.51) vs (83.17 ± 12.19) mmHg], uric acid [(411.79 ± 101.54) vs (379.96 ± 102.18) μmol/L], hemoglobin [(152.86 ± 30.70) vs (143.49 ± 21.15) g/L], pulmonary artery trunk width [(21.76 ± 3.94) vs (20.98 ± 3.34) mm], and ventricular septal thickness [(9.90 ± 1.70) vs (9.47 ± 1.60) mm] in the positive group ( n = 126) were significantly higher than those in the negative group ( n = 462, P < 0.01 or < 0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased systolic blood pressure [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.015, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.005 - 1.026], uric acid ( OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001 - 1.005), and pulmonary artery trunk width ( OR = 1.058, 95% CI: 1.001 - 1.118) were risk factors for proteinuria; Tibetans had a decreased risk of proteinuria compared with Han ( OR = 0.505, 95% CI: 0.317 - 0.805), but increased hemoglobin had an increased risk of proteinuria compared with normal hemoglobin ( OR = 1.890, 95% CI: 1.231 - 2.903). Conclusion:In patients with hypertension at high altitude, increased hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, uric acid, pulmonary artery trunk width, and Han nationality are risk factors for proteinuria.
4.Inosine:A broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory against SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced acute lung injury via suppressing TBK1 phosphorylation
Ningning WANG ; Entao LI ; Huifang DENG ; Lanxin YUE ; Lei ZHOU ; Rina SU ; Baokun HE ; Chengcai LAI ; Gaofu LI ; Yuwei GAO ; Wei ZHOU ; Yue GAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(1):11-23
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)-induced cytokine storms constitute the primary cause of coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19)progression,severity,criticality,and death.Gluco-corticoid and anti-cytokine therapies are frequently administered to treat COVID-19,but have limited clinical efficacy in severe and critical cases.Nevertheless,the weaknesses of these treatment modalities have prompted the development of anti-inflammatory therapy against this infection.We found that the broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory agent inosine downregulated proinflammatory interleukin(IL)-6,upregulated anti-inflammatory IL-10,and ameliorated acute inflammatory lung injury caused by mul-tiple infectious agents.Inosine significantly improved survival in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2.It indirectly impeded TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1)phosphorylation by binding stimulator of interferon genes(STING)and glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK3β),inhibited the activation and nuclear trans-location of the downstream transcription factors interferon regulatory factor(IRF3)and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB),and downregulated IL-6 in the sera and lung tissues of mice infected with lipopoly-saccharide(LPS),H1N1,or SARS-CoV-2.Thus,inosine administration is feasible for clinical anti-inflammatory therapy against severe and critical COVID-19.Moreover,targeting TBK1 is a promising strategy for inhibiting cytokine storms and mitigating acute inflammatory lung injury induced by SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious agents.
5.Prevention and Treatment of Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by the Method of Dispelling Stasis to Promote Regeneration
Lanxin ZHANG ; Shuaihang HU ; Jiawei WANG ; Tong ZHOU ; Wei HOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(10):1077-1081
Blood stasis is an important pathological factor throughout the whole course of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which could evolve from new into long stagnation, and the methods of dispelling stasis to promote regeneration should throughout the whole disease progress. It is believed that the basis of the radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis is heat toxin dispersing qi and yin, and deficiency of healthy qi promoting blood stasis. The process of the disease showed latent fire burning pulmonary collaterals, and the binding of phlegm and stasis. The key factors of the disease were the damage of ying-wei (营卫) qi in channels and collaterals, as well as the blood stasis evolving into dried blood. It is suggested that during radiotherapy, we should pay more attention to relieve heat, moisten dryness, supplement qi and yin, nourish and harmonize blood, and remove blood stasis, so as to prevent disease before it arises. If there is radiation pneumonia, we could focus on dissolving phlegm, removing blood stasis, clearing latent fire, and unblocking the collaterals and veins, in order to "control the development of existing disease". If it develops into radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we could relive the center and supplement deficiency, tonify original qi, dispel stasis to promote regeneration, and clear dried blood, for the purpose of slowing the progression of disease. These ideas might provide reference for clinical treatment.