1.Exploring Mechanisms of Erchentang in Repairing Ileal Immune Barrier and Reducing Weights of Diet-induced Obese Mice Based on Single-cell Transcriptomics
Jiawei CHEN ; Maohui LIU ; Jilan CHEN ; Jiushuang ZHU ; Yingxiu MEI ; Yue JIN ; Xiuwen XIA ; Weijun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):226-236
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Erchentang (ECD) on the body weight of the mouse model of simple obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and decipher the underlying mechanisms. MethodsFirstly, single-cell transcriptomics (Sc-RNAseq) was employed to analyze the transcriptional changes in the ileum tissue of mice in the normal group and model group. Then, a mouse model of simple obesity was established with a high-fat diet. The successfully modeled mice were randomly allocated into the following four groups (n=8): model, low-dose (7.5 g·kg-1) ECD, medium-dose (15 g·kg-1) ECD, and high-dose (30 g·kg-1) ECD. Additionally, 8 mice of the same age were selected as the normal group. The body weight was measured at fixed time points during the 4-week gavage period. The overall efficacy of ECD in alleviating obesity was evaluated through glucose tolerance testing, behavioral analysis, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and biochemical testing. Protein docking was employed to predict the degree of binding between corresponding proteins. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding degree between key components of ECD and target proteins. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), CD68, CD206, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and Claudin-5 in the ileum. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression and distribution of Claudin-5 and ZO-1. ResultsThe Sc-RNAseq results indicated that the differentially expressed genes of immune cells in the model group in comparison with the normal group were primarily enriched in biological functions related to lipid metabolism and inflammatory metabolism. Additionally, these genes were associated with the janus kinases(JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway, an inflammation-related pathway. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in body weight (P<0.01) and blood glucose level (P<0.01), a decrease in limb strength (P<0.01), an increase in liver weight (P<0.05), and elevated serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST) levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, the model group exhibited increased hepatic fat vacuoles, notably enlarged adipocytes in the epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue, and increased inflammation. Compared with the model group, ECD groups showed reduced body weights (P<0.01) and blood glucose levels (P<0.01), increased limb strength (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased liver weights (P<0.05, P<0.01), and declined serum ALT and AST levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, ECD reduced hepatic fat vacuoles and the adipocyte volume in the epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue, and alleviated inflammation. Potential interactions existed between CD68 and ZO-1/Claudin-5, as well as between CD206 and ZO-1/Claudin-5. The key components of ECD, nobiletin, diosmetin, and naringenin, all demonstrated strong binding affinity with the target proteins ZO-1 and Claudin-5. Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited up-regulated mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, and CD68 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated mRNA levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine CD206 (P<0.01) and the tight junction proteins Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the ECD groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, and CD68 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA levels of CD206, Claudin-5, and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited down-regulated expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ECD groups showed up-regulated expression of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionECD can significantly ameliorate HFD-induced obesity and excessive body weight gain in mice by improving the inflammatory microenvironment in the ileum and further restoring the integrity of the impaired ileal barrier.
2.Clinical study on early loading restoration of superhydrophilic implants
Wenmian HUANG ; Beibei ZHOU ; Wangcheng NI ; Qintian ZHU ; Jilan YU ; Renfei WANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2021;56(2):164-169
Objective:To study the clinical effect of early loading restoration a superhydrophilic implant after 1 year, so as to provide reference evidence for clinical practice.Methods:A total of 41 patients with dental defects, including 20 males and 21 females [age (52.3±13.1) years old], were enrolled in the Department of VIP, Hangzhou Dental Hospital (Pinghai Hospital) from July 2017 to January 2019. A total of 74 superhydrophilic implants were implanted, including 27 maxillary implants and 47 mandiolar implants. All patients without bone augmentation or soft tissue transplantation, the maxilla was taken impression 4 weeks after implant implantation, with 6 weeks of loading, the mandible was taken impression 2 weeks after implant implantation, with 4 weeks of loading. The stability of the implant was measured by resonance frequency analyzer before implant implantation, impression and loading. Periapical radiograph were taken immediately after mold removal, immediately after loading and reexamination 1 year after loading, to measure and record the changes in the bone level of the mesial and distal margins of the implant.Results:No biological complications occurred in all implants before loading restoration, and the implant survival rate was 100%(74/74). In 2 cases, the implant stability quotient (ISQ) value of the implant at the mandibular site was lower than 65 at 2 weeks after surgery, and the restoration was delayed. The ISQ values of the other 72 implants at the time of implantation (75.22±4.32) were not significantly different from those at the time of modeling (75.13±4.23) ( P>0.05), but the ISQ values at the moment of weight loading (76.46±3.73) were significantly higher than those at modeling ( P<0.05). All the early loading implants were reviewed 1 year after early loading, and none of them were loose or fell off, and the implant survival rate was 100%(72/72). X-ray measurement and evaluation showed that after 1 year of early loading restoration, the mean marginal bone absorption of 72 implants was (0.18±0.06) mm, among which the mandibular was (0.17±0.06) mm and the maxillary was (0.19±0.06) mm, showing no statistical difference ( P>0.05). After 1 year of early loading restoration, the mean marginal bone absorption of 72 implants was (0.17±0.05) mm, including (0.17±0.06) mm for mandibular and (0.16±0.05) mm for maxillary, showing no statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the limited scope of this clinical study, it has been proved that early loading of superhydrophilic implant is a safe and feasible treatment scheme, and the bone resorption at the implant edge after long-term early loading restoration needs further follow-up study.
3.Molecular epidemiological characteristics of measles virus in Sichuan province in 2015
Ranran CAO ; Li LIU ; Yukun ZHU ; Shundong WANG ; Jilan HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2016;30(4):378-381
Objective To analyze the genetic characteristics of measles virus in Sichuan province in 2015.Methods Measles virus was isolated from throat swab specimens collected from suspected measles cases.Nucleotide sequences coding for C terminus of nucleoprotein were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis.Results 398 measles virus isolates were obtained from 971 throat swab specimens.Phylogenetic analysis showed that 397 belonged to H1 genotype,the sequences homologies were 96.2%-98.0% compared with H1 genotype reference strain;and all those isolates separated into 2 clusters in phylogenetic tree with the average nucleotide divergence of 2.0%.1 isolate belonged to A genotype,and shared 98.0% nucleotide homology compared with A genotype reference strain.Conclusions H1 genotype virus remained predominant circulating in Sichuan Province.There was no much genetic variation in N gene.But a minor nucleotide divergence existed between different clusters,leading to 2 transmission chains.
4.Normal CT manifestations of hypopharynx at the level of cricoid cartilage in adults
Jinhua HAN ; Xinyu ZHANG ; Jilan ZHU ; Feng DUAN ; Gang JIANG ; Guangcun LI
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2008;42(7):724-728
Objective To approach the normal manifestations of the hypopharynx of the adults at the level of cricoid cartilage as seen on CT images, and to evaluate their clinical value. Methods Eighty-four CT images of the normal hypopharynx were reviewed. The hypopharynx was divided into three regions:(1) the piriform sinus, (2) the retropharynx area, and (3) the postcricoid region. The postcricoid region of hypopharynx was subdivided into three levels as follows : (1) the upper margin slice of the cricoid cartilage at the cricoarytenoid joint level, (2) the middle portion slice of the cricoid cartilage, and (3)the inferior margin slice of the cricoid cartilage. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters, and anterior and posterior wall thicknesses in the postcricoid region were measured. Depiction of the layers of the musculature and adjacent fat planes was evaluated. Statistical comparisons of measured results were made by using ttest and x2 test. Results The posterior wall tended to be (0. 9±0. 4) mm thicker than the anterior wall. The average transverse extension of the postcricoid musculature was (4. 5±0. 3)mm shorter in female than that in male at CT images. There were statistically significant differences related to sex (at the upper margin level of the cricoid cartilage : the transverse extension was (38. 6±3. 3)mm in male, (34. d±2. 5) mm in female, t = 6. 26,P < 0. 05 ; at the middle portion level of the crieoid cartilage: (33.6±3. 6) mm in male,(28.9±2.8) mm in female t =6.36, P <0.01;at the inferior margin level of the cricoid cartilage:(28.6 ±3. 1) nun in male, (24. 0 ±2. 1) mm in female, t = 7.52, P <0. 01). The transverse diameter tended to taper (10. 1±2. 4) mm from the upper cricoid slice level to the lower cricoid slice levelDemonstration of the intramural fat planes of the postcricoid region decreased from the upper [ 81.0%(68/84)] to the lower region [23.8% (20/84)] of the cricoid cartilage. In fat planes around the postcricoid region at all levels, the posterior fat plane was seen least frequently, and the left-sided fat plane was seen most frequently. There was a statistically significant difference at every level(at the upper margin level of the cricoid cartilage, the visibilities of the left-sided, the right-sided, and the posterior fat plane around the postcricoid region were 77.4% (65/84), 72. 6% (61/84), and 28. 6% (24/84) ,x<'2> =24. 64,P <0.01 ; at the middle portion level of the cricoid cartilage, the visibilities were 89.3% (75/84), 75.0%(63/84), and 34.5% (29/84) ,x<'2> =24. 76, P <0. 01 ; at the inferior margin level of the cricoid cartilage:the visibilities were 95.2% (80/84), 88. 1% (74/84), and 52. 4% (44/84), x<'2> = 13.59, P < 0. 01.Conclusion Knowledge of the normal appearances and variations of the hypopharynx at the level of cricoid cartilage is essential in detecting abnormalities in this area.

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