OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of formulated granules of Tianma Gouteng Yin (TGY) on motor deficits in a mouse model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced subacute Parkinson's disease (PD) and explore the possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Ninety C57BL/6 mice were randomized equally into 6 groups, including a control group, a PD model group, a NEC-1 (6.5 mg/kg) treatment group, two TGY treatment groups at 5 and 2.5 g/kg, and a Madopar (76 mg/kg) treatment (positive control) group. Mouse models of PD were established by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP (30 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days with the corresponding treatments for 15 days. The mice were randomly selected for motor function tests. Western blotting was used to detect the changes in expressions of TH, α-syn, RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL in the striatum of the mice. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking studies were performed to explore TGY-mediated regulation of the necroptosis pathway for PD treatment. RESULTS: Compared with those in the control group, the PD model mice exhibited obvious motor deficits with significantly increased α-syn protein expression and lowered TH protein expression in the striatum. Treatment with NEC-1 obviously improved motor deficits, inhibited the necroptosis pathway, and alleviated the changes in TH and α‑syn proteins in PD mice. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses suggested that the therapeutic effect of TGY in PD was associated with the modulation of RIPK1, a key protein in the necroptosis pathway. In PD mouse models, TGY treatment at the two doses significantly improved motor deficits of the mice, increased TH expression, and decreased the expressions of α-syn and necroptosis-related proteins in the striatum. CONCLUSIONS TGY can effectively inhibit the necroptosis pathway, increase TH expression and decrease α-syn expression in the striatum to improve motor deficits in PD mice.
Animals ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Parkinson Disease/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism by which dihydromyricetin(DHM)ameliorates diabetic nephropathy(DN),and to screen and validate its possible key molecular targets.Methods A DN model was established using db/db mice,and 100 mg/(kg·d)DHM was administered via gavage 5 d per week for totally 10 weeks.Renal morphological changes were observed after staining to evaluate the effects of DHM.GSE161885 and GSE270526 datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and analyzed in combination with the GeneCards database to screen for DN-related differentially expressed genes(DEGs).Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and molecular docking were employed to predict potential DHM targets.Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the effects of DHM on pyroptosis-related pathways in the renal tissues of db/db mice and in high glucose(HG)-induced human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2).The specific NLR family pyrin domain containing protein 3(NLRP3)inhibitor MCC950 was also used to validate the predicted mechanism.Results In vivo experiments showed that DHM significantly ameliorated renal pathological damage in db/db mice,alleviated glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial expansion,and markedly reduced Paller scores(P<0.001).Immunofluorescence staining revealed significantly weakened fluorescence signals for α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin,and collagen Ⅰ in renal tissues.Western blot results showed that the expression levels of collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)were significantly decreased(P<0.05).A total of 16 DN-related DEGs were identified.Enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were primarily enriched in pathways such as viral protein interactions,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,and were primarily involved in gene functions such as the positive regulation of lymphocyte-mediated immunity,positive regulation of adaptive immune response,and chemokine activity.Molecular docking confirmed NLRP3 as a potential target of DHM.In vivo validation showed that DHM significantly down-regulated gasdermin-D(GSDMD)fluorescence signals and inhibited the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins including NLRP3,Caspase 1,Cleaved-Caspase 1,interleukin 18(IL-18),and GSDMD(P<0.05).In vitro studies further confirmed that both DHM and the specific NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 alleviate high glucose-induced fibrosis and pyroptosis in HIC-2 cells.Conclusion DHM can ameliorate the progression of DN,and its mechanism is related to inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis,thereby alleviating renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Tumor cells can escape the surveillance and attack of the immune system, namely immune escape. In recent years, regulatory B (Breg) cell have attracted much attention in researches about tumor immunity. Breg cell plays an important role in tumor immune escape by secreted various cytokines. Mechanistic progress has been made in this field, which provides more targets and ideas for tumor clinical treatment. However, the phenotypic classification of Breg cells and its complex mechanism in tumor immunity still need to be systematically analyzed.

Objective To investigate the association between microvariants at locus DYS570 and Y-SNPs haplogroup.Methods 89 Y-SNPs and 34 Y-STRs in AIYSNP42,AIYSNP47 and YfilerTM Platinum kits were used to detect the genotype of 116 microvariants at locus DYS570 in Kunming,and the Set-B kit was used to detect the core repeat sequences of the DYS570 locus.The data were statistically analyzed by direct counting method.Then,a network map was drawn by Network 10.2,in order to visualize the genetic information of the sample.Results The results demonstrated that 111 DYS570/18.3-21.3 samples had a core repeat sequence of TTT[TITC]18-21,belonging to subgroup O2a2b1a1a1a4-F14494.A DYS570/20.3 sample had a core repeat sequence of[TTTC]15TTC[TTTC]5,belonging to O2a1b1a1a1a1e-F1365 subgroup.A DYS570/17.1 sample had a core repeat sequence of[TTTC]17 T,belonging to the O2a1b1a1a1a-F11 subgroup.Three DYS570(19.2)samples had[TTTC]3 TT[TTTC]16,belonging to the D1a1a-M15 haplogroup.Conclusion The results indicated that the microvariant with the same core repeat structure at locus DYS570 was associated with haplogroups,and the ancestry origin of samples can be inferenced from microvariant characteristics during the practice of forensic medicine.

Objective To investigate the association of the DYS527a/b and DYF387S1a/b multi-allele pattern with Y-SNP haplogroups.Methods Samples from 295 unrelated males who carrying the DYS527a/b multi-allele pattern were amplified by the YFilerPlus? kit.The genotypes of their frequency distributions,including three multi-copy loci(DYS527a/b,DYF387S1a/b,DYS385a/b)and other single-copy loci were obtained.The DYS527a/b multi-allele pattern and their haplotypes were examined for the associations with Y-chromosome haplogroups using the AIYSNP42 kit,which contains 42 Y-SNP loci.Based on the above results,the association between the DYS527a/b multi-allele patter and its constituent Y-STR haplotypes and related haplogroups was discussed.Results Among the 295 samples,the DYS527a/b tri-allele pattern and tetra-allele pattern accounted for 97.29%and 2.71%respectively,while the DYF387S1a/b tri-allele pattern and tetra-allele encompassed 54.24%and 4.75%.Null allele was detected in DYS448 in 13.22%of the samples.Here,7 Y-SNPs were deticted such as O-M175 and C-M131 which encompassed 45.76%and 45.08%.The haplogroups of R1-M173,N-M231,D1-M174,J-M304 and F-M89 were less than 13 cases,with frequencies ranging from 4.41%～0.34%.There were Y-STR genotypes differences among haplogroups,as haplogroup O-M175 was represented by 4 genotypes of Y-STR profiles characterized by DYS385a/b(12/12,as well as 12/17,12/18,12/19),DYS392(13),DYS593(16)and DYS393(12),and haplogroup C-M130 was characterized by DYS527a/b(19/20/21),DYS385a/b(11),DYS593(17),DYS390(23),Y_GATA_H4(11),and DYS444(13)and so on.Conclusion The DYS527a/b multi-allele pattern is frequently observed in the Kunming population with haplogroup C-M130.In the samples from haplogroups O,C,R1 and N,the DYS527a/b and DYF387S1a/b haplotypes frequently exhibit the multi-allele pattern.Given the frequencies of different haplogroups and the association between Y-SNP haplogroups and Y-STR loci,it could be helpful to look for more details in the paternal lineage search.

OBJECTIVE： To establish a method for simultaneous determination of contents of β-pinene， linalool， L-camphor， L-borneol， β-caryophyllene and xanthoxylin in the oil of Blumea balsamifera. METHODS： GC method was adopted. The determination was performed on RTX-1701 capillary column （programmed temperature）. The FID detector was controlled at 240 ℃. The inlet temperature was set at 240 ℃. The carrier gas was high-purity nitrogen 3 mL/min. The the sample size was 0.5 μL， and split ratio was 50 ∶ 1. RESULTS： The linear range of β-pinene， linalool， L-camphor， L-borneol， β-caryophyllene and xanthoxylin were 0.029 7-0.267 1 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）， 0.024 3-0.218 9 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）， 0.126 0-1.134 0 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）， 0.217 2-1.954 8 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）， 0.136 3-1.226 9 mg/mL （r＝0.999 9）， 0.044 5-0.400 3 mg/mL（r＝0.999 5）， respectively. The limits of quantitation were 0.028 5， 0.008 7， 0.018 6， 0.016 8， 0.014 5， 0.042 1 mg/mL； the limits of detection were 0.009 4， 0.002 9， 0.006 1， 0.005 5， 0.004 8， 0.013 9 mg/mL， respectively. RSDs of precision， stability， reproducibility and durability tests were all lower than 3％. The average recoveries were 98.13％-101.30％（RSD＝1.20％，n＝9），98.44％-101.81％（RSD＝1.28％，n＝9），98.26％-101.05％（RSD＝1.19％，n＝9），99.08％-101.58％（RSD＝0.89％，n＝9），98.66％-101.66％（RSD＝1.17％，n＝9），98.84％-103.60％（RSD＝0.96％，n＝9）， respectively. The contents of 6 components in the sample were 14.552-46.766， 16.951-22.096， 80.597-113.115， 205.224-242.537， 47.761-135.697， 26.493-45.771 mg/g， respectively. CONCLUSIONS： The established method is simple， accurate， precise and reproducible， which can be used for simultaneous determination of contents of 6 components in the oil of B. balsamifera. It can provide reference for comprehensive evaluation and extraction technology study of the oil of B. balsamifera.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of antibiotics combined with recombinant tuberculosis vaccine AEC/BC02 on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in guinea pigs. Methods Two weeks after guinea pigs were challenged subcutaneously with a high dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis,the guinea pigs with the positive skin test responses to the recombinant ESAT6-CFP10 allergen were randomly di-vided into four groups:normal saline (NS),AEC/BC02,antibiotics and antibiotics+AEC/BC02. In antibiotics+AEC/BC02 group,guinea pigs firstly received isoniazid ( INH) and rifapentine ( RFT) treatment once a week for a total of three times,and then were immunized with a single dose of AEC/BC02 vaccine six times at 10-day intervals. Guinea pigs in AEC/BC02 and antibiotics groups were respectively vaccinated with AEC/BC02 vaccine and given INH and RFT treatment at the same dose and frequency as given to antibiotics+ AEC/BC02 group. Thirteen weeks after challenge,all guinea pigs were sacrificed for necropsy. Results The gross pathological scores of NS,AEC/BC02,antibiotics and antibiotics+AEC/BC02 groups were 83±8,77± 22,45±28 and 19±14,respectively. Antibiotics+AEC/BC02 group had a significantly lower gross pathological score than antibiotics,AEC/BC02 and NS groups (P<0. 05,P<0. 01,P<0. 01,respectively). Moreover,the gross pathological scores of antibiotics and AEC/BC02 groups were significantly decreased as compared with that of NS group (both P<0. 01). However,there was no significant difference between AEC/BC02 and NS groups. The spleen bacterial load of antibiotics+AEC/BC02 group was (2. 50±1. 26) lg CFU,which was sig-nificantly lower than those of NS [(4. 92+0. 52) lg CFU],AEC/BC02 [(4. 78+0. 84) lg CFU] and antibi-otics [(4. 39+0. 50) lg CFU] groups (P<0. 01). Compared with NS group,antibiotic and AEC/BC02 groups showed no significant difference in spleen bacterial load. Histopathological changes indicated different levels of granulomatous lesions appeared in lung tissues of all groups and the most severe change was ob-served in AEC/BC02 group,followed by that in NS,antibiotics and antibiotics+AEC/BC02 groups. Conclu-sion INH and RFT treatment in combination with AEC/BC02 vaccine in the treatment of guinea pigs with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was superior to either treatment alone as it significantly alleviated organ lesions and lowered the bacterial loads in spleen and lung.

Objective To identify the cross-reactive antigens shared by Mycobacteria smegmatis(MS) and Mycobacteria tuberculosis(MTB) and to analyze their antigenicity.Methods Bacterial antigens were extracted from strains of MS and MTB by ultrasonication.Western blot assay was performed to analyze common antigens that reacted with both of the antiserum samples against MS and MTB.The extracted bacterial antigens were mixed with incomplete Freund′s adjuvant and then were injected into muscles of mice.Cytokines secreted by murine spleen lymphocytes following stimulation with various antigens of MS and MTB were determined by ELISPOT and flow cytometry on the 7th day.IgG levels in serum samples were detected by ELISA 7 days after injection.Results There were cross-reactive antigens shared by MS and MTB.Potent humoral immune responses and cellular immunity against both MS and MTB could be induced by those cross-reactive antigens after sensitization the mice by either MS or MTB antigens.Cytokines of IL-2 and IFN-γ in CD4+ and CD8+T cells of mice stimulated with MS or MTB antigens were significantly increased as compared with those of non-sensitization group and those of Brucella antigens stimulation group.ConclusionCross-reactive antigens shared by MS and MTS can effectively promote specific immune reactions to the infection of MTB, which provides a scientific basis for the development of tuberculosis vaccines.

Objective To compare the effects of sufentanil and fentanyl anesthesia on blood glucose and insulin levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy,and explore the mechanism using metabonomics technique.Methods Total 60 patients,37 males and 23 females,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into sufentanil and fentanyl groups,and 30 cases in each group.Venous blood was collected before anesthesia and 5 min,40 min and 2 h after anesthesia,which was used to detect blood glucose,insulin levels and metabonomics analysis.Results Blood glucose were significantly lower in sufentanil group than in fentanyl group at 5 min after intubation,40 min in surgery,and postoperative 2 h (P＜0.05).After 2 h,insulin in sufentanil group was significantly lower than that in fentanyl group (P＜0.05).Metabolic analysis showed that in the positive ion mode,using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis,the patients in the two groups were classified according to the serum metabolites at postoperative 2 h,which showed that the serum metabolites in patients of different groups were significantly different,and 5 biomarkers closely related to blood glucose and insulin were found.Conclusion Sufentanil showed slighter effects on blood glucose and insulin in patients,and more suitable for cholecystectomy patients.The mechanism may be related with the glucose and insulin metabolism.

Objective To comparatively evaluate the effects of a recombinant Mtb protein ESAT 6-CFP10 ( rESAT6-CFP10 ) and a purified protein derivative ( PPD ) as skin test reagents in guinea pigs . Methods Guinea pigs were sensitized with different Mycobacteria species .After sensitization , all guinea pigs were intradermally injected with rESAT6-CFP10 and PPD.At 48 h after the injection, the size of ery-thema at injection sites was measured by using a double-blind method .For guinea pigs sensitized with viable Mtb, the size of erythema at injection sites were measured at 24 h after the injection .The positive conversion rates of skin test with rESAT 6-CFP10 and PPD were calculated .Results The results of PPD skin test were positive in all guinea pigs sensitized with viable Mtb , killed Mtb and BCG with erythema diameters of (11.4 ±0.9) mm, (11.8±1.1) mm and (13.2±0.8) mm, respectively.Positive skin test with rESAT6-CFP10 was only observed in guinea pigs infected by viable Mtb-showing erythema diameters of (13.7±5.7) mm. The skin test with rESAT6-CFP10 was negative in guinea pigs sensitized by killed Mtb-and vaccinated by BCG.The skin tests by using rESAT6-CFP10 and PPD were performed on randomly selected guinea pigs at ninth day after infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.At the 2nd week, totally 24 selected guinea pigs showed positive skin test results with rESAT6-CFP10 (24/24) with erythema diameters of (19.9± 3.0) mm, while only 15 out of 24 had positive PPD skin test with erythema diameters of (6.1±5.5) mm. At the 4th week, all guinea pigs showed positive PPD skin test (3/3) with erythema diameters of (12.7± 2.5) mm.Conclusion The skin test by using recombinant ESAT 6-CFP10 protein can effectively distin-guish viable Mtb infection from BCG vaccination and killed Mtb sensitization , which is a more suitable anti-gen than PPD for the early diagnosis of Mtb infection .