ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for atherosclerosis （AS） in rheumatoid arthritis （RA） patients and its correlation with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted， enrolling 16,082 RA patients from 122 medical centers nationwide. Patient demographics， disease assessment data including disease activity （DAS-28）， tender joint count （TJC）， swollen joint count （SJC）， patient's global assessment （PGA）， evaluator's global assessment （EGA）， and visual analogue scale （VAS）， major clinical symptoms including insomnia， loss of appetite， irritability， and fatigue， and laboratory indicators including blood routine， inflammatory markers， liver and kidney function， metabolic indices， and coagulation markers were collected through questionnaire. Based on the four examinations in TCM， patients were classified into eight TCM syndromes， which were wind-damp obstruction， cold-damp obstruction， damp-heat obstruction， phlegm-stasis obstruction， blood stasis obstructing the collaterals， qi-blood deficiency， liver-kidney insufficiency， and qi-yin deficiency. Patients who experienced AS events were included in the event group （564 cases）， while those without AS events were included in the non-event group （15,518 cases）. Intergroup difference tests were used to screen potential risk factors， and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the correlation between TCM syndromes and rheumatoid arthritis with atherosclerosis （RA-AS）. ResultsCompared to the non-event group， patients in the event group had longer disease duration， higher body weight， and older age （P＜0.05）， and showed significantly higher DAS28， TJC， SJC， PGA， EGA， VAS， ESR， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and D-dimer levels， and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， with more severe symptoms of insomnia， irritability， and fatigue （P＜0.05）. Damp-heat obstruction syndrome was the most prevalent in both groups， with a higher proportion in the event group （393/564， 69.68%） than in the non-event group （4578/15,518， 29.50%） showing significant difference （P＜0.05）. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with damp-heat obstruction syndrome had a 5.326-fold higher risk of developing RA-AS compared to those without this syndrome （OR=5.326， 95%CI 4.517 to 7.089， P＜0.001）. ConclusionThe occurrence of RA-AS is associated with TCM syndromes， disease activity， inflammatory markers and lipid metabolic indices， and damp-heat obstruction syndrome is an independent risk factor for RA-AS.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for hepatic hydrothorax （HH） before intervention for primary hepatic carcinoma （PHC）， and to construct and assess the nomogram risk prediction model. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 353 hospitalized patients who attended the Third People’s Hospital of Kunming for the first time from October 2012 to October 2021 and there diagnosed with PHC， and according to the presence or absence of HH， they were divided into HH group with 153 patients and non-HH group with 200 patients. General data and the data of initial clinical testing after admission were collected from all PHC patients. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. After the multicollinearity test was performed for the variables with statistical significance determined by the univariate analysis， the multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent influencing factors. The “rms” software package was used to construct a nomogram risk prediction model， and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve were used to assess the risk prediction model； the “Calibration Curves” software package was used to plot the calibration curve， and the “rmda” software package was used to plot the clinical decision curve and the clinical impact curve. ResultsAmong the 353 patients with PHC， there were 153 patients with HH， with a prevalence rate of 43.34%. Child-Pugh class B （odds ratio ［OR］=2.652， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.050 — 6.698， P=0.039）， Child-Pugh class C （OR=7.963， 95%CI： 1.046‍ ‍—‍ ‍60.632， P=0.045）， total protein （OR=0.947， 95%CI： 0.914‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.981， P=0.003）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （OR=1.007， 95%CI： 1.001‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.014， P=0.025）， and interleukin-2 （OR=0.801， 95%CI： 0.653‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.981， P=0.032） were independent influencing factors for HH before PHC intervention， and a nomogram risk prediction model was established based on these factors. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a good degree of fitting （χ²=5.006， P=0.757）， with an area under the ROC curve of 0.752 （95%CI： 0.701‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.803）， a sensitivity of 78.40%， and a specificity of 63.50%. The calibration curve showed that the model had good consistency in predicting HH before PHC intervention， and the clinical decision curve and the clinical impact curve showed that the model had good clinical practicability within a certain threshold range. ConclusionChild-Pugh class， total protein， interleukin-2， and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independent influencing factors for developing HH before PHC intervention， and the nomogram model established based on these factors can effectively predict the risk of developing HH.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of noninvasive imaging detection （FibroScan）， two serological models of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio （GPR） score and S index， and two inflammatory factors of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B （CHB）， as well as the consistency of liver biopsy in pathological staging， and to provide early warning for early intervention of CHB. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 131 HBeAg-positive CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy in The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 2019 to December 2023. The results of liver biopsy were collected from all patients， and related examinations were performed before liver biopsy， including total bilirubin， alanine aminotransferase， platelet count， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， albumin， IL-6， TNF-α， liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， and abdominal ultrasound. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Kappa analysis was used to investigate the consistency between LSM noninvasive histological staging and pathological staging based on liver biopsy， and the Spearman analysis was used to investigate the correlation between each variable and FibroScan in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage. The Logistic regression analysis was used to construct joint predictive factors. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to evaluate the value of each indicator alone and the joint predictive model in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis， and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve （AUC）. ResultsIn the consistency check， inflammation degree based on liver biopsy had a Kappa value of 0.807 （P<0.001）， and liver fibrosis degree based on liver biopsy had a Kappa value of 0.827 （P<0.001）， suggesting that FibroScan noninvasive histological staging and liver biopsy showed good consistency in assessing inflammation degree and liver fibrosis stage. Age was positively correlated with LSM， GPR score， S index， IL-6， and TNF-α （all P<0.05）， and GPR score， S index， IL-6， and TNF-α were positively correlated with LSM （all P<0.05）. GPR score， S index， IL-6， and TNF-α were all independent risk factors for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis （≥S2） and progressive liver fibrosis （≥S3） （all P<0.05）. As for each indicator alone， GPR score had the highest value in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis （≥S2）， followed by S index， IL-6， and TNF-α， while S index had the highest value in the diagnosis of progressive liver fibrosis （≥S3）， followed by GPR score， TNF-α， and IL-6. The joint model had a higher predictive value than each indicator alone （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThere is a good consistency between FibroScan noninvasive histological staging and pathological staging based on liver biopsy. GPR score， S index， IL-6， and TNF-α are independent risk factors for evaluating different degree of liver fibrosis in CHB， and the combined prediction model established by them can better diagnose liver fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of albumin-bilirubin （ALBI）， easy albumin-bilirubin （EZ-ALBI）， and platelet-albumin-bilirubin （PALBI） scores in predicting 2-year survival in patients with HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma （HCV-HCC）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 174 patients with HCV-HCC who were admitted to The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 2020 to January 2022， and the patients were followed up till 2 years after admission. According to the follow-up results， the patients were divided into survival group with 95 patients and death group with 79 patients. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model analyses were used to investigate the influencing factors for the survival of HCV-HCC patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and analyze the 2-year survival rate of HCV-HCC patients with different EZ-ALBI grades， and the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the survival group and the death group in platelet count， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin， albumin （Alb）， alpha-fetoprotein （AFP）， prealbumin， prothrombin time， international normalized ratio， PALBI score， ALBI score， EZ-ALBI score， Model for End-Stage Liver Disease （MELD） score， HCV genotype， peritoneal effusion， and vascular invasion （all P<0.05）. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that AST， Alb， AFP， ALBI score， EZ-ALBI score， PALBI score， MELD score， Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging， and peritoneal effusion were influencing factors for the survival of patients （all P<0.05）， and the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that EZ-ALBI score （hazard ratio ［HR］=1.850， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.054 — 3.247， P=0.032） and peritoneal effusion （HR=1.993， 95%CI： 1.030 — 3.858， P=0.041） were independent risk factors for the survival of HCV-HCC patients. The survival curve analysis showed that the patients with EZ-ALBI grade 1/2/3 had a 2-year survival rate of 90.9%， 60.2%， and 32.2%， respectively， and there was a significant difference in cumulative survival rate between the patients with different EZ-ALBI grades （χ²=26.294， P<0.001）. ConclusionEZ-ALBI score and the presence or absence of peritoneal effusion can be used as predictors of the survival of HCV-HCC patients.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of cannabidiol on endoplasmic reticulum stress and neuronal apoptosis in rats with multiple concussions (MCC). METHODS: SD rats were randomized into sham group, MCC group, 1% tween20 (TW) treatment group, and low-dose (10 mg/kg) and high-dose (40 mg/kg) cannabidiol treatment groups. In all but the sham group, MCC models were established using a metal pendulum percussion device, after which the rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of the corresponding agents for 2 weeks. The expressions of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, TRIB3, p-Akt and pro-caspase-3 in the brain tissue of the rats were detected with qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The core targets of cannabidiol in treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were identified by network pharmacology analysis, and molecular docking was carried out to simulate the interaction of cannabidiol with the factors related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operated rats, the rat models of MCC showed significantly increased mRNA expressions of PERK, eIF2α and CHOP and protein expressions of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, TRIB3, p-AKT and pro-caspase-3 in the cerebral cortex. CBD treatment, especially at the high dose, obviously increased the expression of p-Akt and lowered the expression levels of the other factors tested in the rat models. Network pharmacology analysis indicated interactions of the core targets of CBD with the factors related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and TBI, and molecular docking study showed a high binding energy of CBD with multiple factors pertaining to endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS MCC induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in rat brain tissues, for which CBD, especially at a high dose, provides neuroprotective effects by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Activating Transcription Factor 4/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor CHOP/metabolism* ; Rats ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; eIF-2 Kinase/metabolism* ; Cannabidiol/pharmacology* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Brain Concussion/metabolism* ; Male ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Objective To investigate the predictive factors for the occurrence of HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB)receiving peginterferon alfa-2b(PEG-IFN-α-2b)treatment,analyze the effects of various indicators on the HBsAg clearance rate under different characteristics,and construct and evaluate a combined predictive model.Methods We included 125 patients with HBeAg-negative CHB at Kunming Third People's Hospital from May 2021 to May 2023.After treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b combined with nucleoside analogues for a course of 48 weeks,they were divided into HBsAg clearance group and HBsAg non-clearance group.Their general information and serological,biochemical,and virological indicators at different time points during treatment were recorded.Continuous data in normal distribution were compared using the t test.Continuous data in non-normal distribution were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test,and comparisons across different time points were performed using the multiple paired-sample Friedman test.Categorical data were compared using the χ2 test.A Logistic regression analysis was used to select variables to establish a combined multi-parameter predictive model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic value of individual indicators and the combined predictive model for HBsAg clearance.Results Before treatment,there were significant differences in baseline HBsAg level(Z=-3.997,P<0.05)and treatment history(χ2=8.221,P<0.05)between the two groups.During treatment,gradually decreasing trends were observed in white blood cell count(χ2=104.944),neutrophil count(χ2=132.036),platelet count(χ2=162.881),and thyroid-stimulating hormone level(TSH,χ2=83.304,all P<0.05),while alanine aminotransferase(ALT,χ2=157.618)and alpha fetoprotein(χ2=159.472)showed gradually increasing trends(both P<0.05).At 48 weeks of treatment,treatment history(odds ratio[OR]=0.232,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.071-0.753),baseline HBsAg level(OR=13.423,95%CI:3.276-54.997),the extent of decrease in HBsAg from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment(OR=0.143,95%CI:0.040-0.515),the maximum ALT level during treatment(OR=0.986,95%CI:0.980-0.993),and the minimum TSH level during treatment(OR=3.281,95%CI:1.413-7.619)were independent factors affecting HBsAg clearance(all P<0.05).A combined predictive model for HBsAg clearance was built:Y=-1.603-1.462×treatment history+2.597×baseline HBsAg value-1.944×the extent of HBsAg reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment-0.014×the maximum ALT value during treatment+1.188×the minimum TSH value during treatment.The diagnostic value of the individual indicators for HBsAg clearance from high to low was as following:the maximum ALT value during treatment(AUC=0.824),baseline HBsAg value(AUC=0.727),the minimum TSH value during treatment(AUC=0.707),the extent of HBsAg reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment(AUC=0.641),and treatment history(AUC=0.636).The combined model showed better predictive performance than the individual indicators,with the AUC being 0.921(all P<0.05).Conclusion The combined model,constructed with baseline HBsAg value,the extent of HBsAg reduction from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment,the maximum ALT value during treatment,and the minimum TSH value during treatment,has high predictive value for the occurrence of HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB after 48 weeks of treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b,which can provide a reference for identifying suitable patients for treatment and predicting clinical outcome.

Objective To investigate the independent risk factors for portal vein thrombosis(PVT)in patients with viral hepatitis-related decompensated cirrhosis,and to establish and validate a nomogram risk prediction model.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 1 116 patients with decompensated HBV/HCV cirrhosis who attended The Third People's Hospital of Kunming for the first time from January 2022 to December 2023,and according to the presence or absence of PVT,they were divided into PVT group and control group.The independent samples t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Univariate analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression analysis were used to identify variables,and a binary logistic regression analysis was used to obtain independent influencing factors and establish a predictive model,which was visualized using a nomogram.The model was validated based on the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,the area under the ROC curve(AUC),the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,Bootstrap sampling(1 000 iterations),the calibration curve,the decision curve analysis(DCA),and the clinical impact curve(CIC).Results There were 178 patients in the PVT group and 938 patients in the control group,and the prevalence rate of PVT was 15.9%(178/1 116).Male patients accounted for 68.5%(764/1 116),and the patients with drinking,Child-Pugh class B liver function,and ascites accounted for 51.0%(569/1 116),78.8%(879/1 116),and 67.1%(749/1 116),respectively.Compared with the control group,the PVT group had significantly higher age(Z=-2.362,P<0.05),prothrombin time(Z=-2.403,P<0.05),international normalized ratio(Z=-2.470,P<0.05),free thyroxine(Z=-5.910,P<0.05),D-dimer(Z=-5.764,P<0.05),interleukin-6(Z=-6.581,P<0.05),interleukin-10(IL-10)(Z=-3.915,P<0.05),interleukin-8(Z=-3.705,P<0.05),diameter of the portal vein(Z=-9.690,P<0.05),and spleen thickness(Z=-7.183,P<0.05),as well as significantly lower levels of white blood cell count(Z=-2.115,P<0.05),platelet count(Z=-3.026,P<0.05),fibrinogen(Z=-2.169,P<0.05),alanine aminotransferase(Z=-3.151,P<0.05),prealbumin(Z=-3.509,P<0.05),cholinesterase(Z=-3.415,P<0.05),alpha-fetoprotein(Z=-3.513,P<0.05),triglycerides(Z=-2.679,P<0.05),CD3 cell count(Z=-6.059,P<0.05),CD4 cell count(Z=-7.257,P<0.05),CD8 cell count(Z=-2.340,P<0.05),CD4+/CD8+cell ratio(Z=-4.479,P<0.05),triiodothyronine(Z=-3.338,P<0.05),free triiodothyronine(FT3)(Z=-9.560,P<0.05),and portal blood flow velocity(Z=-4.568,P<0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the variables with statistical significance identified by the LASSO regression analysis,and the results showed that age(odds ratio[OR]=1.046,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.026-1.066),CD4+/CD8+cell ratio(OR=0.568,95%CI:0.410-0.787),FT3(OR=0.956,95%CI:0.944-0.968),IL-10(OR=1.021,95%CI:1.001-1.042),diameter of the portal vein(OR=1.446,95%CI:1.329-1.574),and spleen thickness(OR=1.035,95%CI:1.014-1.055)were independent influencing factors.A model was established as Logit(P)=-8.784+0.045×age-0.566×CD4+/CD8+-0.046×FT3+0.021×IL-10+0.369×diameter of the portal vein+0.034×spleen thickness,and a nomogram model was established and validated based on this model,with an AUC of 0.859(95%CI:0.833-0.887).The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a high goodness of fit(χ2=11.349,P=0.183).Bootstrap internal validation showed a mean absolute error of 0.006 and a C-index of 0.855.The decision curve analysis showed that the model had a high net clinical benefit within a wide range of thresholds.Conclusion Age,CD4+/CD8+ratio,FT3,IL-10,diameter of the portal vein,and spleen thickness may be independent influencing factors for PVT in patients with decompensated HBV/HCV cirrhosis.The predictive model established based on these six variables can help to predict the risk of PVT in patients with hepatitis-related decompensated cirrhosis in the early stage in clinical practice.

AIM:To determine if scutellarin(Scu)provides neuroprotection by reducing neuronal apoptosis in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)via the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.METHODS:Proteins linked to Scu and ischaemic stroke-induced neuronal apoptosis were identified using the Swiss Tar-get Prediction,PharmMapper,OMIM,and GeneCards databases.Intersecting targets were identified through Venn analy-sis.Protein-protein interaction networks were visualised utilising Cytoscape software,and principal targets were identi-fied.Enrichment analyses of GO functions and KEGG pathways were conducted utilising the Metascape database.Molecu-lar docking of Scu with core targets was performed utilising AutoDock Vina.The neuroprotective effects of Scu were as-sessed in MCAO rats using Zea Longa scoring and the suspension test.JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation levels and apoptosis-related proteins[cleaved caspase-3(C-caspase-3),caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2]were assessed using Western blot and im-munofluorescence staining.The JAK2-specific inhibitor AG490 was employed to further investigate the role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.RESULTS:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 832 shared targets,with pathways en-riched in tumor-associated pathways,the JAK/STAT signalling pathway,and the HIF-1 signalling pathway.Molecular docking revealed robust binding affinities of Scu with the ten principal targets.Behavioural assessments utilising Zea Lon-ga scoring and the suspension test demonstrated that Scu markedly enhanced neurological recovery in MCAO rats.Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,along with the ex-pression of C-caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2,were markedly elevated in the MCAO group relative to the sham group(P<0.05).Post Scu treatment,phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,along with C-caspase-3 and Bax expression,were markedly diminished,whereas Bcl-2 expression and fluorescence intensity were substantially increased(P<0.05).In the combined AG490 and Scu treatment group(MCAO+Scu+AG490),the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,as well as the expression of C-caspase-3 and Bax,exhibited no significant difference when compared to the Scu-alone group(P>0.05).Bcl-2 expression and fluorescence intensity were markedly reduced in the combined AG490 and Scu treatment group relative to the Scu-alone group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Scu seems to provide neuroprotection in ischaemic stroke by reducing neuronal apoptosis through the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which tubeimoside I(TBMS1)inhibits Snail expression in pancreatic cancer cells(PANC-1).METHODS:Human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells were cultured in vitro.The inhibitory effect of TBMS1 on PANC-1 cells was assessed using the MTT assay,and the data were analyzed based on the IC50 value of TBMS1.The impact of TBMS1 on the clonal formation ability of PANC-1 cells was evaluated through colony formation assays.The Transwell assay was employed to assess the effect of TBMS1 on the migrato-ry capability of PANC-1 cells.Apoptosis and cell cycle alterations in PANC-1 cells were analyzed using acridine orange staining and flow cytometry.The expression of Snail protein in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with survival of the patients were analyzed using the GEPIA database and Kaplan-Meier Plotter data.Immunofluorescence staining was con-ducted to investigate the effect of TBMS1 on Snail expression,while Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP),E-cadherin and Snail in the cells.The ubiquitination of Snail protein was mea-sured using immunoprecipitation techniques.RESULTS:As the concentration of TBMS1 increased,the survival rate and number of clones formed by PANC-1 cells progressively decreased,leading to apoptosis,cleavage of PARP,and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase.There was also a reduction in the proportion of cells in the S phase and a decrease in cell migration ability.The expression of Snail protein,a critical factor in cell migration,was inhibited,while E-cadherin protein levels were increased.Treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 was able to reverse the suppression of Snail protein ex-pression caused by TBMS1.Immunoprecipitation results indicated that TBMS1 enhances the ubiquitination and subse-quent degradation of Snail protein.CONCLUSION:TBMS1 effectively inhibits the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer cells by promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of Snail protein in PANC-1 cells.

AIM:To compare the degree of disease simulation between the two mouse models of acute exacer-bation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)using intranasal instillation of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and fine particulate matter(PM2.5)for 3 d based on exposure to cigarette smoke(CS)for 90 d.METHODS:Thirty-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group(n=8),CS group(n=8),CS+PM2.5 group(n=8)and CS+LPS group(n=8).The AECOPD models in CS+PM2.5 and CS+LPS groups were established by CS exposure combined with intranasal PM2.5 and LPS instillation.Lung function,lung pathology and airway goblet cell hyperplasia using histologi-cal staining were measured.To evaluate the degree of lung inflammation and mucus secretion in mice,the prorein levels of mucin 5AC(MUC5AC),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were detected by ELISA and total white blood cell(WBC)counts and the BALF differential cell counts(neutro-phils,macrophages,lymphocytes)were detected by Giemsa staining.RESULTS:In CS group,lung function decreased(P<0.05),and bronchial inflammation index increased(P<0.01),airway goblet cell hyperplasia and airway collagen de-position were significant(P<0.01),total WBC count and differential cell count in the BALF increased(P<0.05),MUC5AC and inflammatory factor IL-6 and TNF-α levels increased(P<0.05),compared with control group.Compared with CS group,lung function decreased(P<0.05),the bronchial inflammation index increased(P<0.01),airway goblet cell hyperplasia and airway collagen deposition were significant(P<0.01),total WBC count and differential cell count in the BALF increased(P<0.05),and MUC5AC and inflammatory factor IL-6 and TNF-α levels increased(P<0.05)in CS+PM2.5 and CS+LPS groups.Compared with CS+PM2.5 group,lung function decreased(P<0.05),the bronchial inflamma-tion index increased(P<0.01),airway goblet cell hyperplasia and airway collagen deposition were significant(P<0.01),total WBC count and differential cell count in the BALF increased(P<0.05),and MUC5AC and inflammatory factor IL-6 and TNF-α levels increased(P<0.05)in CS+LPS group.CONCLUSION:Exposure to CS combined with both intrana-sal PM2.5 and LPS instillation allowed for establishing AECOPD models in mice,and CS exposure combined with intrana-sal LPS instillation better simulated AECOPD characteristics.