1.The role of TLR3/NF-kappa B signaling pathway in paraquat-induced acute lung injury
Yunfei JIANG ; Hao SUN ; Jinsong ZHANG ; Mengqian LV ; Feng ZHANG ; Yang SONG ; Songsong ZANG ; Jun WANG
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2018;27(6):631-637
Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of paraquat (PQ) induced acute lung injury through Toll like receptor 3 (Toll-like receptor-3, TLR3), TLR induced nuclear transcription factors (Nuclear Factor-kappa B, NF-κB) and its downstream pro-inflammatory factors TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6. Methods The acute lung injury model of mice and the acute injury model of type II alveolar epithelial cells (A549) induced by PQ were established. The PQ mediated pathological changes of lung tissue, the cell count and cytospin of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were evaluated, and the pro-inflammatory factors in the lung tissue of mice were determined by ELISA the viability of A549 cells mediated by PQ was detected by CCK8 assay, and the mRNA expression and protein level of TLR3, Phospho-NF-kBp65, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the lung tissues and A549 cells were observed by Real-time PCR and Western-blotting. In control group, the mice received normal saline (NS) instead of PQ. Results Compared with the control group, the mice in PQ group showed difficulty breathing, decreased activity, reduced food intake, and weight lost. The total number of BALF cells in the PQ group was significantly increased [NS: (0.018 8±0.102 1) × 105 vs. PQ: (0.237 4±0.121 7) ×105,t=9.804,P<0.01] with macrophage [NS: (0.162 8±0.086 5) × 105 vs. PQ: (1.063 3± 0.343 3) × 105,t=8.043,P<0.01],lymphocyte [NS: (0.006 6±0.005 2) × 105 vs. PQ: (0.171 2±0.099 1) × 105, t=5.243,P<O.Ol] and neutrophils [NS: (0.000 04±0.000 1) × 105 vs. PQ: (0.901 9±0.652 5) × 105, t=4370, P<0.01]. In PQ group, the appearance and volume of lung tissue increased with hyperemia and edema. HE slices showed inflammatory cell infiltration and pulmonary interstitial hemorrhage. Moreover, the expressions of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6 in BALF of PQ group was significantly higher than those of the control group by the ELISA assay [TNF-a: NS: (2.782 1 ± 3.521 5) vs. PQ: ( 7.512 6±3.459 8) pg/mL,t=3.030, P<0.05; IL-1β: NS: (22.687 5±14.229 3) vs. PQ: (163.100 4±81.118 3) pg/mL,t=5.391,P<0.01 ; IL-6: NS: (1.653 3±0.442 7) vs. PQ: (648.565 6 ± 422.606 1) pg/mL, t=4.841,P<0.01]. CCK8 results indicated that the viability of A549 cells decreased by 25.3% and 36.4% at 24h after 200~400 μmol/L PQ treatment (all P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of TNF-a, IL-1p, IL-6 in the lung tissue and A549 cells in PQ group were higher than those in the control group as well (all P< 0.05). Furthermore, Western-blotting results revealed that the protein levels of TLR3 and Phospho-NF-κBp65 in the lung and A549 cells mediated by PQ were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P< 0.05). Conclusions PQ may induce acute lung injury by up-regulation of the expressions of inflammatory factors TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6 through the TLR3/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers from the Perspective of "Heart"
Mengfan REN ; Nailin ZHANG ; Ruohan WANG ; Mengqian SUN ; Pingping CHEN ; Hua CAO ; Qiquan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1174-1177
Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "all pain, itching, and sores are related to the heart", this paper proposes treating recurrent aphthous ulcers from the perspective of the heart. It suggests that excessive heart fire and tissue erosion due to flaming fire in the heart meridian constitute the core pathogenesis of this condition. Hyperactive heart fire is identified as the key pathogenic factor, while heart yin deficiency, obstruction of the heart collaterals, and malnourishment of the heart spirit are considered significant contributing factors. Clinically, the treatment follows the principle of clearing heart fire as the main strategy, supplemented by nourishing yin, activating collaterals, and calming the spirit. The self-formulated Qingxin Yuchuang Formulation (清心愈疮方) serves as the base prescription, with flexible modifications incorporating the Yuyin Formulation (育阴方), Huoxue Formulation (活血方), and Yu'an Formulation (郁安方) to address specific syndromes involving heart yin deficiency, collateral blockage, and emotional disturbance.
3.Correlation between serum cystatin C and bone turnover markers in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis
Mengqian WANG ; Shaohong ZHANG ; Mengyue SUN ; Min CHEN ; Weimin WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):89-92
Objective To analyze the correlation between serum cystatin C (Cys-C) and bone turnover markers in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 320 elderly patients with T2DM admitted to Huai'an First People's Hospital from August 2021 to June 2024. Patients were divided into the osteoporosis group and the non-osteoporosis group according to whether they had osteoporosis. General information, bone turnover markers, and serum Cys-C levels were collected from all patients. The data were compared between the two groups to analyze the influencing factors of osteoporosis in elderly patients with T2DM and the correlation between serum Cys-C and bone turnover markers. Results The levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C in the osteoporosis group were higher than those in the non-osteoporosis group, and the bone mineral density was lower than that in the non-osteoporosis group (P<0.05). The levels of TPINP, β-CTX, and Cys-C in the osteoporosis group were higher than those in the non-osteoporosis group, and 25-OH-D3 level was lower than that in the non-osteoporosis group (P<0.05). Serum Cys-C was positively correlated with TPINP and β-CTX, and negatively correlated with 25-OH-D3 (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that total cholesterol, LDL-C, TPINP, β-CTX, 25-OH-D3, and Cys-C were factors influencing osteoporosis in elderly patients with T2DM (P<0.05). Conclusion Serum Cys-C levels in elderly patients with T2DM and osteoporosis are elevated. There is a significant correlation between Cys-C level and bone turnover markers.