1.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Patient with Gorham-Stout Disease
Jing HU ; Ying JIN ; Yan ZHANG ; Ji LI ; Wenhui WANG ; Yue CHI ; Chunxu LI ; Zhenjie ZHANG ; Yaping LIU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):52-59
Gorham-Stout disease(GSD) is a rare osteolytic disorder characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis, along with abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, with no new bone formation. We present a case of a 15-year-old female admitted due to " recurrent right leg pain for 5 years, 11 months after undergoing right femoral fracture surgery". Through comprehensive integration of the patient's clinical phenotype, laboratory tests, imaging findings, pathological examinations, and molecular biological test results, GSD was considered highly likely. A multidisciplinary treatment approach was conducted, including a combination of zoledronic acid and sirolimus to inhibit osteolysis, along with rehabilitation training and orthopedic intervention, providing a personalized and comprehensive treatment strategy.
2.Medication rules and mechanisms of treating chronic renal failure by Jinling medical school based on data mining, network pharmacology, and experimental validation.
Jin-Long WANG ; Wei WU ; Yi-Gang WAN ; Qi-Jun FANG ; Yu WANG ; Ya-Jing LI ; Fee-Lan CHONG ; Sen-Lin MU ; Chu-Bo HUANG ; Huang HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1637-1649
This study aims to explore the medication rules and mechanisms of treating chronic renal failure(CRF) by Jinling medical school based on data mining, network pharmacology, and experimental validation systematically and deeply. Firstly, the study selected the papers published by the inherited clinicians in Jinling medical school in Chinese journals using the subject headings named "traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) + chronic renal failure", "TCM + chronic renal inefficiency", or "TCM + consumptive disease" in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and screened TCM formulas for treating CRF according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study analyzed the frequency of use of single TCM and the four properties, five tastes, channel tropism, and efficacy of TCM used with high frequency and performed association rule and clustering analysis, respectively. As a result, a total of 215 TCM formulas and 235 different single TCM were screened, respectively. The TCM used with high frequency included Astragali Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(top 5). The single TCM characterized by "cold properties, sweet flavor, and restoring spleen channel" and the TCM with the efficacy of tonifying deficiency had the highest frequency of use, respectively. Then, the TCM with the rules of "blood-activating and stasis-removing" and "diuretic and dampness-penetrating" appeared. In addition, the core combination of TCM [(Hexin Formula, HXF)] included "Astragali Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, and Angelicae Sinensis Radix". The network pharmacology analysis showed that HXF had 91 active compounds and 250 corresponding protein targets including prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2), PTGS1, sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5(SCN5A), cholinergic receptor muscarinic 1(CHRM1), and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1)(top 5). Gene Ontology(GO) function analysis revealed that the core targets of HXF predominantly affected biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions such as positive regulation of transcription by ribonucleic acid polymerase Ⅱ and DNA template transcription, formation of cytosol, nucleus, and plasma membrane, and identical protein binding and enzyme binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) analysis revealed that CRF-related genes were involved in a variety of signaling pathways and cellular metabolic pathways, primarily involving "phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(Akt) pathway" and "advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products". Molecular docking results showed that the active components in HXF such as isomucronulatol 7-O-glucoside, betulinic acid, sitosterol, and przewaquinone B might be crucial in the treatment of CRF. Finally, a modified rat model with renal failure induced by adenine was used, and the in vivo experimental confirmation was performed based on the above-mentioned predictions. The results verify that HXF can regulate mitochondrial autophagy in the kidneys and the PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway activation at upstream, so as to alleviate renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and then delay the progression of CRF.
Data Mining
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Network Pharmacology
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Humans
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Kidney Failure, Chronic/metabolism*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
China
3.Research progress in modeling methods for extraction process of traditional Chinese medicine.
Feng DING ; Jing LAN ; Xing-Chu GONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4209-4217
The extraction process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is an important part in the production and processing of TCM products. The modeling of this process is of great significance for achieving intelligent production. This paper summarizes the modeling methods for the extraction process of TCM, which mainly include mechanism modeling, empirical formula modeling, data-driven modeling, and mixed modeling. Among them, mechanism modeling and data-driven modeling are widely used. Furthermore, this paper suggests that the future research on the modeling of the extraction process of TCM can be carried out from the following five aspects: in-depth research and development of the extraction process of TCM compound prescriptions, complete description of the whole extraction process of TCM, development of methods for accurate determination of the properties of TCM decoction pieces before extraction, development of adaptive self-optimization technology for models, and construction of models based on a new generation of artificial intelligence methods.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Models, Theoretical
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Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
4.The mechanism of Medicoscab tincture in the treatment of second-degree burns based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology
Qiang ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Yue LIU ; Xiaoqin CHU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(8):377-382
Objective To explore the mechanism of Medicoscab tincture in the treatment of second-degree burns based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods The effective components of the tincture were screened by the TCMSP; the effective components of the tincture and burn related targets were screened by GeneCards and OMIM database; Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to draw “Chinese medicine-disease-effective components-targets” network diagram; the related gene ontology (GO) functions and pathways of the tincture were obtained through GO enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclo-pedia of genes and geomes (KEGG) pathway analysis on the targets through Metascape platform; the pathway bubble diagram was constructed by the pathways enriched in the KEGG database, and finally verified by AutoDockTools for molecular alignment. Results 19 effective components and 179 target intersections of Medicoscab tincture were selected. GO analysis showed the intervention burns process mainly involved the reaction of inorganic substances, the reaction of cells to nitrogen compounds, and the response to xenobiotic stimuli, as well as biological processes such as membrane rafts, vesicular cavities, transcriptional regulatory factor complexes, receptor complexes, and endoplasmic reticulum cavities. KEGG analysis showed the function mainly includes AGE-RAGE signal pathway, PI3K-Akt signal pathway, IL-17 signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, etc. Analysis of cytoscape software showed the core targets were AKT1, TNF, IL-6, GAPDH, TP53, etc. Molecular docking showed that the active components of Medicoscab tincture were docking with multiple targets, among which β- sitosterol had strong binding activity with AKT1, GAPDH and TP53. Conclusion Quercetin, kaempferol, baicalein, β-sitosterol and other core active ingredients in the tincture of making scabs, which could assist in the relief of burns, regulate the signalling pathways such as AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, IL-17, TNF and so on by acting on the targets of AKT1, GAPDH, TP53, IL-6 and so on. This study laid a theoretical foundation for clarifying the mechanism of action of tincture of scab making for the treatment of burn-like diseases.
5.Schistosoma japonicum cystatin has protective effects against "two-hit" sepsis in mice by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment.
Wenjuan DUO ; Yixiang WANG ; Jiaxing WANG ; Xinlong XU ; Linxian LI ; Dongchen YANG ; Qili SHEN ; Lichun YANG ; Xiaojing LIU ; Qiwang JING ; Liang CHU ; Xiaodi YANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):110-117
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the protective effect of Schistosoma japonicum cystatin (rSj-Cystatin) in a mouse mode of "two-hit" sepsis.
METHODS:
Sixty male C57BL/6 mice randomized equally into sham-operated group, protein group, "two-hit" modeling group, and protein intervention group. In the former two groups, the mice received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL PBS followed by exposure of the cecum and then by intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL PBS or 25 μg rSj-Cystatin 30 min later; In the latter two groups, 100 μL PBS containing LPS (5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 24 h before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and 100 μL PBS or 25 μg rSj-Cystatin were injected 30 min after CLP. At 12 h after rSj-Cystatin treatment, 6 mice from each group were sacrificed for detection of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, iNOS and Arg-1 in the serum, spleen, liver, lung and kidney tissues using ELISA, for examinations of liver, lung and kidney pathologies with HE staining, and for analysis of CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell percentage in the spleen using flow cytometry. The remaining mice were observed for general condition and 72-h survival.
RESULTS:
The 72-h survival rates in the 4 groups were 100%, 100%, 0% and 20%, respectively, showing significant differences between the latter two groups. The mouse models of "two-hit" sepsis exhibited obvious tissue pathologies and significant elevations of TNF-α and IL-6 in both the serum and tissue homogenate, which were significantly ameliorated by rSj-Cystatin treatment. Treatment with rSj-Cystatin also increased IL-10 and TGF-β levels and spleen CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell percentage. The septic mouse models also showed increased iNOS levels in all the detected tissues and a decreased Arg-1 level in the kidney, and these changes were obviously improved by rSj-Cystatin treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
rSj-Cystatin has a protective effect against "two-hit" sepsis in mice by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment.
Animals
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Mice
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Sepsis/drug therapy*
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Male
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Schistosoma japonicum/chemistry*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Cystatins/therapeutic use*
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Interleukin-10/metabolism*
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Interleukin-6/blood*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*
6.Pulsatilla saponin D inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells through multiple targets and pathways.
Qiao CHU ; Xiaona WANG ; Jiaying XU ; Huilin PENG ; Yulin ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Guoyu LU ; Kai WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):150-161
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism by which Pulsatilla saponin D (PSD) inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
METHODS:
The public databases were used to identify the potential targets of PSD and the invasion and metastasis targets of TNBC to obtain the intersection targets between PSD and TNBC. The "PSD-target-disease" interaction network was constructed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed to obtain the core targets, which were analyzed for KEGG pathway and GO functional enrichment. Molecular docking study of the core targets and PSD was performed, and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PSD were verified using Transwell assay and Western blotting in cultured TNBC cells.
RESULTS:
Network pharmacology analysis identified a total of 285 potential PSD targets and 26 drug-disease intersection core targets. GO analysis yielded 175 entries related to the binding of biomolecules (protein, DNA and RNA), enzyme activities, and regulation of gene transcription. KEGG analysis yielded 46 entries involving pathways in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, microRNAs in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. Molecular docking showed high binding affinities of PSD to MTOR, HDAC2, ABL1, CDK1, TLR4, TERT, PIK3R1, NFE2L2 and PTPN1. In cultured TNBC cells, treatment with PSD significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration and lowered the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin and the core proteins p-mTOR, ABL1, TERT, PTPN1, HDAC2, PIK3R1, CDK1, TLR4 as well as NFE2L2 expressionin the cell nuclei.
CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitory effects of PSD on TNBC invasion and metastasis are mediated by multiple targets and pathways.
Humans
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Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Saponins/pharmacology*
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Pulsatilla/chemistry*
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Female
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Neoplasm Invasiveness
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Protein Interaction Maps
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Cell Movement/drug effects*
7.Study on pricing of initiative hospice and palliative care services by service unit
Tian-shu CHU ; Yi-fan XU ; Li-mei JING ; Xue-ying LI ; Xiao-yu ZHANG ; Jun-mei DENG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(2):47-52
Objective:To conduct a study on pricing by service unit to address the problems of hospice and palliative care pricing and fee system in China.Methods:Combining theoretical research and empirical evidence,this study organized the pricing mechanism of initiative hospice and palliative care services and established a graded and categorized pricing strategy.Empirical research was conducted based on real-world data from 36 pilot institutions in typical areas.Results:This study developed a comprehensive pricing framework for value-based classification price standard of initiative hospice and palliative care services from the perspective of incentive regulation.We proposed a pricing plan based on service units,with inpatient bed fee ranging from 459 to 606 yuan or 459 to 1 102 yuan,and home visit fee ranging from 89 to 264 yuan.Conclusions and suggestions:This study proposes a pricing scheme based on the technique and service value with a gradient fluctuation by service unit,and forms a set of price standards with high economic and technical feasibility,which can provide scientific evidences for solving the pricing problem of hospice care.In addition,there is still a need to establish a multi-level incentive compensation mechanism to motivate all levels and types of organisations and healthcare provider,and to promote the high-quality and sustainable development of hospice and palliative care.
8.Relationship of serum CTSL level with blood lipid metabolism and disease severity in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic cardiac insufficiency
Jing XU ; Lin NIU ; Weiguo WANG ; Hongying CHU ; Wei WANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(7):858-862
Objective To investigate the changes of serum cathepsin L(CTSL)in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure(CHF)and its relationship with lipid metabolism and severity of the disease.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 186 elderly patients with acute exacerbation of CHF admitted to our hospital from February 2021 to October 2024.Their serum levels of CTSL and lipid metabolism indicators were measured at admission.According to the quartile of CTSL,they were divided into groups A(CTSL≤3.31 μg/L,47 cases),B(3.31μg/L<CTSL≤3.70 μg/L,46 cases),C(3.70 μg/L<CTSL<4.41 μg/L,47 cases),and D(CTSL≥4.41 μg/L,46 cases).The general clinical data,blood lipid metabolism and severity of disease were compared among the four groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CTSL and blood lipid metabolism indicators,and ordinal regression model and restricted cubic spline analysis was employed to examine the relationship between serum CTSL and the se-verity of acute exacerbation of CHF.Results There were significant differences in total cholester-ol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low density lipopro-tein cholesterol(LDL-C)among the four groups of patients(P<0.05,P<0.01).Pearson correla-tion analysis showed that serum CTSL level was positively correlated with TC,TG and LDL-C levels(r=0.203,P=0.005;r=0.178,P=0.015;r=0.184,P=0.012),and negatively with HDLC(r=—0.344,P=0.000).Ordinal regression analysis indicated that serum CTSL level was an inde-pendent risk factor affecting the severity of CHF in patients with acute exacerbation(P<0.05).Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed that serum CTSL level was in a linear relationship with the severity of acute exacerbation of CHF(x2=3.140,P=0.371).When serum CTSL>3.73μg/L,the severity of the condition was increased significantly.Conclusion Serum CTSL level is closely associated with lipid metabolism in elderly patients with acute exacerbation of CHF,and is an independent risk factor for the severity of disease.
9.Effects of Yijing Decoction Containing Serum on Iron Overload-induced Oxidative Stress in Human Ovarian Granulosa Cells
Chengcheng LIANG ; Jing YU ; Heng HU ; Xiaoyu WANG ; Jiaxin TONG ; Xiaoli WANG ; Yang LI ; Jijun CHU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):105-112
Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of Yijing Decoction containing serum on iron overload-induced oxidative stress of human ovarian granulosa cells.Methods SD rats were used to prepare medicated serum and blank serum.Iron dextran was used to induce oxidative damage of SVOG cells.The cells were divided into control group,model group,containing serum group,blank serum group,antioxidant group and iron chelating agent group.After corresponding intervention,cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method,estrogen(E2)and progesterone(P)content in supernatant were detected by ELISA,the contents of intracellular ferrous ion(Fe2+),malondialdehyde(MDA),adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),catalase(CAT)were detected by the kit,ROS content was detected by DCFH-DA fluorescence probe,the mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 fluorescence probe,Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),transferrin(Tf),transferrin receptor 1(TfR1),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)and ferritin light chain(FTL).Results Compared with the control group,the viability of SVOG cells decreased in the model group,the contents of E2 and P in cell supernatant decreased,the contents of Fe2+,MDA and ROS increased,the content of ATP and activities of SOD,GSH-Px and CAT decreased,the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased,the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and FTH1 decreased,and the protein and mRNA expressions of Tf,TfR1 and FTL increased,with statistical significance(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the viability of SVOG cells in containing serum group,antioxidant group and iron chelating agent group increased,the contents of E2 and P in cell supernatant increased,the contents of Fe2+,MDA and ROS decreased,the content of ATP and activities of SOD,GSH-Px and CAT increased,the mitochondrial membrane potential increased,the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and FTH1 increased,and the protein and mRNA expressions of Tf,TfR1 and FTL decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yijing Decoction containing serum may relieve oxidative stress damage induced by iron overload,improve mitochondrial function,and restore granulosa cell function,thereby enhancing ovarian function,potentially through up-regulating Nrf2,FTH1 expression and down-regulating Tf,TfR1 and FTL expressions.
10.Yijingtang Reduces Ovarian Inflammatory Responses in Rat Model of Diminished Ovarian Reserve via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Heng HU ; Jijun CHU ; Zhe LI ; Haijing CHU ; Jing YU ; Chengcheng LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):20-30
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Yijingtang (YJT) in treating diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) in rats by regulating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly allocated into blank, model, low- and high-dose (12.579 and 25.158 g·kg-1, respectively) YJT, and dehydroepiandrosterone (7.487 5 mg·kg-1) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in other groups except the blank group were administrated with the tripterygium glycosides tablet suspension (5 mg·kg-1) by gavage for 14 days for the modeling of DOR. The rats in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage from day 15 for 30 consecutive days, and those in the blank and model groups received equal volumes of distilled water. The vaginal exfoliated cell smears were observed to assess the changes in the estrous cycle. The wet weight of bilateral ovaries was weighed for calculation of the ovarian index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the histopathological changes in the ovaries and the proportions of follicles at various levels were calculated. The serum levels of sex hormones [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)] and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-10 (IL-10)] were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB profilin α (IκBα), NF-κB and inflammatory factors in the ovarian tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of factors related to the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the ovarian tissue. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the ovarian tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed disturbed estrous cycles, increased inflammatory infiltration in the ovarian tissue, decreases in ovarian index and proportion of presinusoidal follicles, and an increase in the proportion of atretic follicles (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the model group showed elevated serum levels of FSH, LH, TNF-α, and IL-1β, up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, IκBα, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 (P<0.01), lowered serum levels of AMH, E2, and IL-10, down-regulated mRNA level of IL-10 (P<0.01), and massive nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the ovarian tissue. Compared with the model group, dehydroepiandrosterone and low and high doses of YJT restored the disturbed estrous cycle, reduced inflammatory infiltration in the ovarian tissue, increased the ovarian index (P<0.01), and changed the follicular composition ratio (P<0.01). Furthermore, the drugs lowered the serum levels of FSH, LH, TNF-α, and IL-1β, down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, IκBα, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β and the protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01), raised the serum levels of AMH, E2, and IL-10, up-regulated the mRNA level of IL-10 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the ovarian tissue. ConclusionYJT may inhibit the release and expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to attenuate the inflammatory responses in the ovarian tissue, thereby improving the ovarian function in DOR rats.

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