1.Identification of tortoiseshell glue and antler glue in Qixiong zuogui granules and content determination of 12 chemical components
Mengxiao JIA ; Chunhui CHANG ; Yang LIU ; Yaqian WANG ; Yunke ZHANG ; Yongyan JIA
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):540-545
OBJECTIVE To identify tortoiseshell glue and antler glue in Qichong zuogui granules, and determine the contents of 12 chemical components. METHODS Identification and content determination were performed by using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The identification was performed on Hypersil GOLD column with a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid solution (gradient elution); the electrospray ion source was used to scan in the positive ion multi-reaction detection mode. The mass charge ratio (m/z) 631.3→546.4, 631.3→921.4 was the detection ion pair for tortoiseshell glue, and the m/z 765.4→554.0, 765.4→733.0 was the detection ion pair for antler glue. The determination method for 12 chemical components was as follows: Accucore C18 column, methanol-0.1% formic acid as mobile phase (gradient elution); scanning range of positive and negative ions was m/z 100→1 000 with the electric spray ion source and single ion detection scanning mode. RESULTS Average retention times of the molecular ion peaks for characteristic peptide segments of tortoiseshell glue and antler glue were 6.28 and 6.77 min, respectively; the linear relationship of 12 chemical components was good within their respective concentration ranges, such as astragaloside Ⅳ, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, calycosin, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, betaine, amygdalin, rutin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, hyperoside, loganin, cyasterone (r>0.999); RSDs for precision, stability (24 h) and reproducibility tests were all less than 5%. The average sample recovery rates ranged from 98.04% to 101.08%. The average contents of 12 components were 1.83, 25.73, 13.76,56.71, 23.80, 49.82, 807.49, 15.01, 317.02, 60.21, 202.71 and 17.70 μg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this study, tortoiseshell glue and antler glue in Qixiong zuogui granules are identified, and the contents of 12 chemical components therein are determined. This provides a reference for the quality control of this granule.
2.Research progress on Sophora Flavescens of traditional Chinese medicine
Mengxiao LIU ; Linlin CHEN ; Yan WANG ; Junping ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(4):156-162
Sophora Flavescens is the dried root of the leguminous plant Sophora Flavescens Ait. It was first published in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic. Sophora Flavescens contains a variety of active ingredients, mainly including matrine and oxymatrine, with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-arrhythmia, disease-resistant pathogenic microorganisms and other pharmacological effects. Clinically, the compound preparations of Sophora Flavescens include Compound KuShen injection and KuShen gel and so on, which can be used to treat many types of cancers and improve skin, mucous pruritus, pain and other symptoms. Due to the poor bioavailability, the structure of matrine needs to be reformed. MASM, matrine derivative, only needs a low concentration to have a good therapeutic effect on sepsis and liver fibrosis. In this article, the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, compound preparations and structural modification of matrine were mainly discussed, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Sophora Flavescens and the development of new drugs.
3.Salidroside alleviates PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis through PINK1/Parkin
Ruixi ZHOU ; Wenbo WU ; Limin ZHANG ; Meina WU ; Chen LIU ; Siqi LI ; Xiaohong LI ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Qin WANG ; Li YU ; Yumei LIU ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1240-1246
Background Existing studies have confirmed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5)is one of the important factors inducing pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is the terminal stage of a major category of lung diseases characterized by the destruction of tissue structure, and eventually leading lung ventilation and ventilation dysfunction. No effective pulmonary fibrosis treatment is available yet. Objective To investigate the protective effect of salidroside on pulmonary fibrosis induced by the exposure of PM2.5 and its molecular mechanism. Methods Seventy 7-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group (intratracheal instillation of normal saline + saline by gavage, n=25), Sal group (intratracheal instillation of normal saline + Sal 60 mg·kg−1 by gavage, n=10), PM2.5 group (intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 5 mg·kg−1 + saline by gavage, n=10), and Sal + PM2.5 group (intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 5 mg·kg−1 +Sal 60 mg·kg−1 by gavage, n=10). The mice were administered by gavage once daily, intratracheal instillation once every 3 d, and every 3 d constituted an experimental cycle. At the end of the 26-30th cycles, 3 mice in the control group and 3 mice in the PM2.5 group were randomly sacrificed, and the lung tissues were collected for Masson staining to verify whether the pulmonary fibrosis model was successfully established. After 30 cycles, the model was successfully constructed. After 1 week of continuous observation, the mice were sacrificed, and the blood and lung tissues of the mice were collected to make lung tissue sections. Assay kits were correspondingly employed to detect oxidative stress indicators such as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins (Collagen-III, α-SMA), mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (MFN1, Drp1), and mitophagy-related proteins (PINK1, Parkin, and LC3). Results Compared with the control group, the weight gain rate of the PM2.5 group was slowed down (P<0.05), which was alleviated by the Sal intervention (P<0.05). The lung coefficient increased after the PM2.5 exposure (P<0.05), which was alleviated by Sal intervention. Compared with the control group, the PM2.5 group showed severe alveolar structure damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and blue collagen deposition, and significantly increased the lung injury score, collagen volume fraction (CVF), Szapiel score, and Ashcroft score (P<0.05), as well as serum oxidative stress levels (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of Collagen-III, α-SMA, Drp1, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 II/I were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of MFN1 was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the PM2.5 group, the Sal intervention alleviated lung injury, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition, showing decreased lung injury score, CVF, Szapiel score, and Ashcroft score (P<0.05), and decreased serum oxidative stress levels (P<0.05); the protein expression levels of Collagen-III, α-SMA, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 II/I were decreased (P<0.05), the expression level of Drp1 was decreased, and the expression level of MFN1 was increased. Conclusion In the process of pulmonary fibrosis induced by PM2.5 exposure in mice, Sal may affect mitochondrial autophagy through PINK1/Parkin pathway and play a protective role. The specific mechanism needs to be further verified.
4.Moderating effect of salidroside on intestinal microbiota in mice exposed to PM2.5
Siqi LI ; Chen LIU ; Weihong XU ; Wenbo WU ; Ruixi ZHOU ; Limin ZHANG ; Chao SONG ; Yumei LIU ; Fengjiao TAN ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Xiaolin HAN ; Jinfeng TAN ; Li YU ; Dongqun XU ; Qin WANG ; Xiaohong LI ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(2):125-132
Background Salidroside (SAL) has a protective effect on multiple organ systems. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere may lead to disruptions in gut microbiota and impact intestinal health. The regulatory effect of SAL on the gut microbiota of mice exposed to PM2.5 requires further investigation. Objective To evaluate gut microbiota disruption in mice after being exposed to PM2.5 and the potential effect of SAL. Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 to 8 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, an SAL group, a PM2.5 group, and an SAL+PM2.5 group, each containing 10 mice. In the SAL group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, the mice were administered SAL (60 mg·kg−1) by gavage, while in the control group and the PM2.5 group, sterile saline (10 mL·kg−1) was administered by gavage. In the PM2.5 group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, PM2.5 suspension (8 mg·kg−1) was intratracheally instilled, and in the control group and SAL group, sterile saline (1.5 mL·kg−1) was intratracheally administered. Each experiment cycle spanned 2 d, with a total of 10 cycles conducted over 20 d. Histopathological changes in the ileum tissue of the mice were observed after HE staining. Colon contents were collected for gut microbiota sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) measurements. Results The PM2.5 group showed infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ileum tissue, while the SAL+PM2.5 group exhibited only a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased Shannon index (P<0.05) and increased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in this group was decreased; the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased Shannon index compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05) and decreased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in mice intervened with SAL was increased. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed a significant separation between the PM2.5 group and the control group, while the separation trend was less evident among the control group, the SAL group, and the SAL+PM2.5 group. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) clustering tree results showed that the control group and the SAL group clustered together first, followed by clustering with the SAL+PM2.5 group, and finally, the three groups clustered with the PM2.5 group. The PCoA and UPGMA clustering results indicated that the uniformity and similarity of the microbiota in the PM2.5 group were significantly decreased. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05) and increased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, genus Escherichia, genus Bacteroides, genus Prevotella, genus Enterococcus, and genus Proteus (P<0.05). Compared to the PM2.5 group, the SAL+PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, genus Prevotella, and genus Proteus (P<0.05), and increased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05). The PM2.5 group showed reduced levels of propionic acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the control group (P<0.05), while the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased levels of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to PM2.5 can cause pathological alterations, microbial dysbiosis, and disturbing production of SCFAs in intestinal tissue in mice. However, SAL can provide a certain degree of protective effect against these changes.
5.Euphorbia helioscopia inhibits proliferation,invasion,and migration and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells
Xuerou LIU ; Yumei YANG ; Wei LIU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Xingqi ZHOU ; Wenyu XIE ; Lin SHEN ; Mengxiao ZHANG ; Xian LI ; Jialan ZANG ; Shanshan LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(10):1918-1925
Objective To investigate the effect of Euphorbia helioscopia on biological behaviors of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)cells.Methods NSCLC cell lines PC-9 and A549 treated with different concentrations of Euphorbia helioscopia preparations were examined for changes in proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and migration using CCK-8 assay,colony formation assay,flow cytometry,wound healing assay and Transwell assay.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,E-cadherin,vimentin,MMP2,and MMP9 in the treated cells.PC-9 cells were injected subcutaneously into BALB/C nude mice to establish a nude mouse subcutaneous tumor model.According to the growth of subcutaneous tumors,mice were randomly divided into control group:gavaged daily with saline;Euphorbia helioscopia-treated group:gavaged daily with Euphorbia helioscopia 65 mg/mL,and Euphorbia helioscopia granules were dissolved in saline;cisplatin-treated group:injected intraperitoneally with cisplatin 4 mg/kg every 5 days,6 mice per group.The subcutaneous tumor volume and mass changes of mice were measured,and the toxic effects of Euphorbia helioscopia on heart,liver,spleen,lung and kidney as well as the therapeutic effects of Euphorbia helioscopia were observed in the mice bearing tumor.Results Euphorbia helioscopia granules concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation and survival of PC-9 and A549 cells,significantly promoted cell apoptosis,suppressed invasion and migration abilities of the cells,up-regulated the expression levels of E-cadherin and Bax,and down-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2,vimentin,MMP2,and MMP9.In the tumor-bearing mice,treatment with Euphorbia helioscopia significantly inhibited tumor growth without producing obvious toxicity in the vital organs.Conclusion Euphorbia helioscopia can inhibit proliferation,invasion,and migration and induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells in vitro.
6.Evaluation of left ventricular deformation changes in patients underwent different doses of anthracycline chemotherapy using 3D speckle-tracking imaging
Mengxiao HAN ; Zheng LI ; Qunling ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Xianhong SHU ; Leilei CHENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;31(4):559-564
Objective To analyze the changes in left ventricular deformation function in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)treated with different doses of anthracycline chemotherapy using 3D speckle-tracking imaging(3D-STI).Methods 66 DLBCL patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy were enrolled.Based on the cumulative dose of anthracycline received,the patients were divided into a high-dose group(>360 mg/m2,n=39)and a low-dose group(≤360 mg/m2,n=27).Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography before chemotherapy and within one week after completion of the entire chemotherapy cycle.Left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),left ventricular global circumferential strain(LVGCS),and other indices were analyzed using 3D-STI to assess changes in left ventricular deformation indices after chemotherapy and between two groups.Results Compared to baseline,DLBCL patients showed significant reductions in LVGLS,LVGCS and left atrial global longitudinal strain(LAGLS)after treatment completion(P<0.001).When comparing the high-dose group with the low-dose group,there was a significant increase in relative LVGCS change rate at the end of chemotherapy(21.12[6.52,35.37]vs 5.49[-14.73,27.01];P=0.03).However,there were no statistically significant differences in relative left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),LVGLS,LVGCS,LVEF change rate,or LVGLS change rate between the two groups.Conclusions 3D-STI can be a potential method to identify the sub-clinical deterioration of left ventricular systolic function in patients received anthracycline chemotherapy,the difference of change rate of LVGCS may predict the variation of sub-clinical deterioration of left ventricular function between patients received high and low doses of anthracycline chemotherapy.
7.Euphorbia helioscopia inhibits proliferation,invasion,and migration and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells
Xuerou LIU ; Yumei YANG ; Wei LIU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Xingqi ZHOU ; Wenyu XIE ; Lin SHEN ; Mengxiao ZHANG ; Xian LI ; Jialan ZANG ; Shanshan LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(10):1918-1925
Objective To investigate the effect of Euphorbia helioscopia on biological behaviors of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)cells.Methods NSCLC cell lines PC-9 and A549 treated with different concentrations of Euphorbia helioscopia preparations were examined for changes in proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and migration using CCK-8 assay,colony formation assay,flow cytometry,wound healing assay and Transwell assay.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,E-cadherin,vimentin,MMP2,and MMP9 in the treated cells.PC-9 cells were injected subcutaneously into BALB/C nude mice to establish a nude mouse subcutaneous tumor model.According to the growth of subcutaneous tumors,mice were randomly divided into control group:gavaged daily with saline;Euphorbia helioscopia-treated group:gavaged daily with Euphorbia helioscopia 65 mg/mL,and Euphorbia helioscopia granules were dissolved in saline;cisplatin-treated group:injected intraperitoneally with cisplatin 4 mg/kg every 5 days,6 mice per group.The subcutaneous tumor volume and mass changes of mice were measured,and the toxic effects of Euphorbia helioscopia on heart,liver,spleen,lung and kidney as well as the therapeutic effects of Euphorbia helioscopia were observed in the mice bearing tumor.Results Euphorbia helioscopia granules concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation and survival of PC-9 and A549 cells,significantly promoted cell apoptosis,suppressed invasion and migration abilities of the cells,up-regulated the expression levels of E-cadherin and Bax,and down-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2,vimentin,MMP2,and MMP9.In the tumor-bearing mice,treatment with Euphorbia helioscopia significantly inhibited tumor growth without producing obvious toxicity in the vital organs.Conclusion Euphorbia helioscopia can inhibit proliferation,invasion,and migration and induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells in vitro.
8.Fractional order calculus model diffusion weighted imaging for evaluating pathological classification and differentiation degree of cervical cancer
Jinchao ZHANG ; Yinan SUN ; Qing YANG ; Ming CHEN ; Wangyan XU ; Mengxiao LIU ; Juan ZHU ; Fei WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(11):1730-1734
Objective To explore the value of fractional order calculus(FROC)model diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)for evaluating pathological classification and differentiation degree of cervical cancer(CCA).Methods Totally 74 CCA patients were enrolled and divided into squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)group(n=54)and adenocarcinoma(ACA)group(n=20)based on pathological classification,also low differentiation group(n=33)and medium-high differentiation group(n=41)based on differentiation degree.Conventional MR examination and DWI with 12 b-values were performed,FROC model parameters(D,β,and p value)and the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)of mono-exponential model were obtained via software analysis.The parameters were compared between groups,and receiver operating characteristic curve of those being significantly different between groups were drawn,the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy.Results Significant differences of ADC,D,and β values were found between SCC group and ACA group(all P<0.05),and D value had the highest AUC(0.726)for distinguishing pathological classification CCA.Meanwhile,significant differences of D,β,p values and ADC were observed between low differentiation group and medium-high differentiation group(all P<0.05),D value also had the highest AUC(0.865).AUC of the combined model constructed based on significant variables β and p values in logistic regression was 0.926,higher than that of each parameter alone(all P<0.05).Conclusion FROC model DWI could be used to evaluate pathological classification and differentiation degree of CCA.
9.Effect of SIRT1 regulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway on sepsis-induced acute lung injury
Yiren ZHANG ; Mengxiao CHEN ; Yi WANG ; Xiang LI ; Xiangyou YU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2023;35(3):244-249
Objective:To investigate whether silence information regulator 1 (SIRT1) could regulate nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway and its role in acute lung injury (ALI) in sepsis rats.Methods:Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis group (CLP group), sepsis+SIRT1 specific agonist group (CLP+SRT1720 group,10 mg/kg SRT1720 was intraperitoneally injected 2 hours before CLP), sepsis+SIRT1 specific inhibitor group (CLP+EX527 group, 10 mg/kg EX527 was intraperitoneally injected 2 hours before CLP), with 6 rats in each group. The rats were killed 24 hours after modeling and their lung tissues were taken for pathological score (Smith score), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β), and SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression were detected.Results:The lung tissue of the CLP group mice was severely damaged, the alveolar interval was widened and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated, and there was visible pulmonary capillary hyperemia. The Smith score, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MDA and 8-OHdG were significantly increased, the levels of SOD, GSH, SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly decreased in CLP group. After using SIRT1 specific agonist, the lung injury in CLP+SRT1720 group was significantly alleviated compared with that in CLP group, Smith score and lung tissue TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels were significantly decreased [Smith score: 2.83±0.75 vs. 5.67±0.52, TNF-α (ng/L): 36.78±5.36 vs. 66.99±5.44, IL-6 (ng/L): 23.97±3.76 vs. 45.70±4.16, IL-1β (ng/L): 16.76±1.39 vs. 39.64±2.59, all P < 0.05], SOD activity and GSH content increased [SOD (kU/g): 115.88±3.31 vs. 101.65±1.09, GSH (μmol/g): 8.42±0.81 vs. 5.74±0.46, both P < 0.05], MDA and 8-OHdG contents decreased [MDA (μmol/g): 5.24±0.33 vs. 9.86±0.66, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 405.76±8.54 vs. 647.12±10.64, both P < 0.05], the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased [SIRT1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.49±0.15 vs. 0.64±0.03, Nrf2 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.19±0.08 vs. 0.84±0.02, HO-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.80±0.41 vs. 0.64±0.11, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 1.03±0.06 vs. 0.52±0.05, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 1.14±0.10 vs. 0.63±0.05, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 1.01±0.11 vs. 0.73±0.03, all P < 0.05]. The lung injury in CLP+EX527 group was more severe than that in CLP group, Smith score and lung tissue TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β levels were significantly increased [Smith score: 8.00±0.89 vs. 5.67±0.52, TNF-α (ng/L): 87.15±4.23 vs. 66.99±5.44, IL-6 (ng/L): 66.79±2.93 vs. 45.70±4.16, IL-1β (ng/L): 58.99±2.12 vs. 39.64±2.59, all P < 0.05], SOD activity and GSH content decreased [SOD (kU/g): 72.84±3.85 vs. 101.65±1.09, GSH (μmol/g): 3.30±0.67 vs. 5.74±0.46, both P < 0.05], the contents of MDA and 8-OHdG were increased [MDA (μmol/g): 14.14±0.70 vs. 9.86±0.66, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 927.66±11.47 vs. 647.12±10.64, both P < 0.05], the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased [SIRT1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 0.40±0.07 vs. 0.64±0.03, Nrf2 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 0.48±0.07 vs. 0.84±0.02, HO-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 0.27±0.14 vs. 0.64±0.11, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 0.20±0.05 vs. 0.52±0.05, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 0.45±0.01 vs. 0.63±0.05, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 0.36±0.08 vs. 0.73±0.03, all P < 0.05]. Conclusions:In the rat model of ALI induced by sepsis, SIRT1 can regulate the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes, reduce oxidative stress injury, and then alleviate the ALI induced by sepsis in rats.
10.Role and mechanism of SIRT1 in regulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in septic liver injury.
Mengxiao CHEN ; Yiren ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tayier GULIFEIRE ; Xiangyou YU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2023;35(6):598-603
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the role and mechanism of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in regulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in oxidative stress and inflammatory response to sepsis-induced liver injury.
METHODS:
A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation (Sham) group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, SIRT1 agonist SRT1720 pretreatment (CLP+SRT1720) group and SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 pretreatment (CLP+EX527) group, with 6 rats in each group. Two hours before operation, SRT1720 (10 mg/kg) or EX527 (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected into the CLP+SRT1720 group and CLP+EX527 group, respectively. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta at 24 hours after modeling and the rats were sacrificed for liver tissue. The serum levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by microplate method. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological injury of rats in each group. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue were detected by corresponding kits. The mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with the Sham group, the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, ALT and AST in the CLP group were significantly increased; histopathological results showed that liver cords were disordered, hepatocytes were swollen and necrotic, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated; the contents of MDA and 8-OHdG in liver tissue increased, while the contents of GSH and SOD decreased; and the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues were significantly decreased. These results suggest that sepsis rats have liver dysfunction, and the levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1 and antioxidant protein in liver tissues were decreased, while the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation were increased. Compared with the CLP group, the levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were significantly decreased in the CLP+SRT1720 group, the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased [IL-6 (ng/L): 34.59±4.21 vs. 61.84±3.78, IL-1β (ng/L): 41.37±2.70 vs. 72.06±3.14, TNF-α (ng/L): 76.43±5.23 vs. 130.85±5.30, ALT (U/L): 30.71±3.63 vs. 64.23±4.59, AST (U/L): 94.57±6.08 vs. 145.15±6.86, MDA (μmol/g): 6.11±0.28 vs. 9.23±0.29, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 117.43±10.38 vs. 242.37±11.71, GSH (μmol/g): 11.93±0.88 vs. 7.66±0.47, SOD (kU/g): 121.58±5.05 vs. 83.57±4.84, SIRT1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.20±0.13 vs. 0.46±0.02, Nrf2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.21±0.12 vs. 0.58±0.03, HO-1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.71±0.06 vs. 0.48±0.07, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 0.89±0.04 vs. 0.58±0.03, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 0.87±0.08 vs. 0.51±0.09, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 0.93±0.14 vs. 0.54±0.12, all P < 0.05], these results indicated that SIRT1 agonist SRT1720 pretreatment could improve liver injury in sepsis rats. However, pretreatment with SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 showed the opposite effect [IL-6 (ng/L): 81.05±6.47 vs. 61.84±3.78, IL-1β (ng/L): 93.89±5.83 vs. 72.06±3.14, TNF-α (ng/L): 177.67±5.12 vs. 130.85±5.30, ALT (U/L): 89.33±9.52 vs. 64.23±4.59, AST (U/L): 179.59±6.44 vs. 145.15±6.86, MDA (μmol/g): 11.39±0.51 vs. 9.23±0.29, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 328.83±11.26 vs. 242.37±11.71, GSH (μmol/g): 5.07±0.34 vs. 7.66±0.47, SOD (kU/g): 59.37±4.28 vs. 83.57±4.84, SIRT1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 0.34±0.03 vs. 0.46±0.02, Nrf2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 0.46±0.04 vs. 0.58±0.03, HO-1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 0.21±0.03 vs. 0.48±0.07, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 0.47±0.04 vs. 0.58±0.03, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 0.32±0.07 vs. 0.51±0.09, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 0.19±0.09 vs. 0.54±0.12, all P < 0.05].
CONCLUSIONS
SIRT1 can inhibit the release of proinflammatory factors and alleviate the oxidative damage of hepatocytes by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thus playing a protective role against CLP-induced liver injury.
Animals
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Male
;
Rats
;
Actins/metabolism*
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic
;
Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism*
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Interleukin-6
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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RNA, Messenger
;
Sepsis/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

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