Objective To investigate the mechanisms through which Qinggan Yipi formula(QgYp)may alleviate liver fibrosis by integrating network pharmacology with experiments.Methods The active ingredients and gene targets of QgYp,associated with liver fibrosis,were sourced from several databases,including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP),various professional chemical databases,the HERB database,the GeneCards database,and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)database.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were developed using the STRING database and visualized through Cytoscape software.Furthermore,GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted with the Metascape database,alongside molecular docking studies using the CB-DOCK 2 platform.HSC-T6 cells were used as the research model,and the MTT assay along with Western blotting were applied to evaluate cell proliferation and protein expression levels,and the expression of related proteins was also detected in the animal experiment.Results A total of 22 bioactive components and 124 gene targets were identified within the formula.Enrichment analyses revealed 896 GO entries and 123 signaling pathways,notably including the IL-7,TNF,Toll-like receptor,and NF-kappa B pathways.Molecular docking indicated that the key components of the formula exhibited a strong binding affinity with proteins involved in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.Additionally,experiments confirmed that QgYp effectively inhibited the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells induced by LPS,and the expression of α-SMA,COL-1,TLR4,IκB-α,and NF-κB p65 proteins in both HSC-T6 cells and rats with liver fibrosis decreased.Conclusion QgYp can effectively inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and has a suppressive effect on the fibrosis process in hepatic stellate cells,offering a theoretical basis for its clinical application in treating liver fibrosis.

Objective The high post-surgery recurrence rate of endometriosis(EMs)has emerged as a challenge in the long-term manaagement of the condition.This study is aimed at investigating the mechanisms of Neiyiting(NYT)decoction in preventing postoperative recurrence of EMs.Methods An animal model of EMs postoperative recurrence and a model of endometrial stromal cells(hEM15A)cocultured with macrophages(RAW 264.7 cell line)were established for both in vivo and in vitro experiments.An autotransplantation method was used to establish a rat model of EMs.The rats were divided into 4 groups(6 rats per group)and received the corresponding treatments:a Model group receiving distilled water,a Gestrinone group receiving gestrinone at 0.325 mg/kg,a low-dose NYT(NYT-L)group receiving NYT decoction at 5.04 g/(kg-d),and a high-dose NYT(NYT-H)group receiving NYT decoction at 10.08 g/(kg-d).The treatment was administered for 3 weeks via intragastric gavage.In addition,6 SD rats were randomly selected for the control group(Control group),and were given distilled water for 3 weeks via intragastric gavage.The sizes and pathological changes of recurrent lesions in EMs rats were observed.Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were performed to assess the expression of M1 macrophage marker CD86 protein and mRNA in vivo.Additionally,immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to assess the expression of indicator proteins related to the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1(TREM1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway and mRNA.The proliferation of hEM15A cells in the coculture experiment was observed.Flow cytometry was performed to determine the polarization of RAW264.7 macrophages,and qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and interleukin 1β(IL-1β)mRNA.Western blot was performed to determine the expression of signaling pathway-related indicator proteins in vitro.ELISA was performed to determine the levels of inflammatory factors in vitro.Results Compared with the Model group,the volume of recurrent lesions in the NYT-H group was reduced(P＜0.01).Findings from the macrophage M1 polarization assessment showed that the expression levels of CD86 protein and mRNA in the recurrent lesions of the Model group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).The expression levels of CD86 protein and mRNA in the recurrent lesions of the NYT-H group were lower than those of the Model group(P＜0.01).In addition,the RAW 264.7 cell experiment further verified that NYT decoction could reduce the number of CD86-positive macrophages induced by plasmids overexpressing TREM1 and reduce the expression of IL-1β and iNOS mRNA(P＜0.01).The results of the hEM15A cell proliferation assay showed that NYT decoction down-regulated KI-67 protein expression in hEM15A cells induced by macrophage M1 polarization(P＜0.01).The results of TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway showed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of TREM1,TLR4,and NF-κB in the recurrent lesions of the Model group were higher than those of the control group(P＜0.01).Compared with those in the Model group,the protein and mRNA expression levels of TREM1,TLR4,and NF-κB in the recurrent lesions of the NYT-H group were lower(P＜0.01).In addition,the coculture experiment of RAW264.7 and hEM15A cells further confirmed that NYT decoction reduced the expression of TREM1,TLR4,and P-P65 proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion NYT decoction can inhibit macrophage M1 polarization through the TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,improve the inflammation level,and inhibit the formation of ectopic endometrial lesions,thereby preventing postoperative recurrence of EMs.

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Arrestins/genetics* ; Chronic Disease

[Objective]To clarify the therapeutic effect of five groups of ascending and descending drugs on ulcerative colitis(UC),and to explore its different characteristics and potential regulatory pathways.[Methods]Sixty-four C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,positive control group and five groups of ascending and descending drug groups,with 8 mice in each group.The UC model of mice was induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Except for the normal control group,the other groups of mice freely drank 2.5%DSS solution every day,and the mice in each drug group were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.During the modeling period,the state of the mice was observed every day,and the body weight,food intake,water intake and fecal morphology of the mice were recorded.At the end of the experiment,the disease activity index(DAI)score and colonic histopathological changes of mice in each group were compared.Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in the colon of mice in each intervention group.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the expression level of node genes in key signaling pathway.[Results]Compared with normal control group,the DAI score of the mice in model control group was significantly increased(P<0.0001),the body weight was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the colon was significantly shortened(P<0.05),and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration was observed.Compared with model control group,the diet of UC mice in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus group increased gradually;Platycodonis Radix-Armeniacae Semen Amarum group still had formed feces after modeling;the expression of estrogen signaling pathway-related genes closely related to pro-inflammatory response was down-regulated in Scutellariae Radix-Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Zingibere Et Alumine group;the DAI index of UC mice in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group was significantly lower than that in other groups,and the liver index of UC mice in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group was significantly lower than that in model control group(P<0.01).The G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)signaling pathway was up-regulated in the Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group.[Conclusion]The five groups of ascending and descending drug pairs had different therapeutic characteristics in the treatment of UC induced by DSS.Among them,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus group,Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group had obvious improvement effects on colon tissue pathological damage and submucosal collagen deposition.The protective effect on colonic goblet cells was relatively obvious in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group.The reduction of apolipoprotein A1(ApoA1)was most significant in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group,and the down-regulation of CXC chemokine ligand 10(CXCL10)gene expression was most obvious in Platycodonis Radix-Armeniacae Semen Amarum group.In general,the protective effect of Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos drug pair on UC was more comprehensive and worthy of further study.

AIM:To establish methods for the isolation,identification,primary culture and evaluation of gas-tric smooth muscle cells(GSMC)from rat and mouse.METHODS:Thirty SD rats and thirty C57BL/6 mice were random-ly assigned into three groups,with 10 rats or mice in each group.Three parallel experiments were conducted to isolate pri-mary GSMC under aseptic conditions.The isolated cells were identified through morphological observation,immunofluo-rescence and Western blot.Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the purity of the cells.Additionally,trypan blue ex-clusion test was utilized to evaluate the viability of the cells after resuscitation.RESULTS:Isolated rat and mouse GSMC exhibited a fusiform or polygonal morphology.Immunofluorescence and Western blot results demonstrated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Flow cytometry showed that the positive expression rate of α-SMA was 99.6%in rat GSMC and 97.4%in mouse GSMC.Moreover,the viability rates of rat and mouse GSMC after cryopreservation were found to be greater than 97%.CONCLUSION:A stable and reliable method for the isolation,culture and evaluation of primary GSMC from rat and mouse has been established.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms through which Qinggan Yipi formula(QgYp)may alleviate liver fibrosis by integrating network pharmacology with experiments.Methods The active ingredients and gene targets of QgYp,associated with liver fibrosis,were sourced from several databases,including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP),various professional chemical databases,the HERB database,the GeneCards database,and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)database.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were developed using the STRING database and visualized through Cytoscape software.Furthermore,GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted with the Metascape database,alongside molecular docking studies using the CB-DOCK 2 platform.HSC-T6 cells were used as the research model,and the MTT assay along with Western blotting were applied to evaluate cell proliferation and protein expression levels,and the expression of related proteins was also detected in the animal experiment.Results A total of 22 bioactive components and 124 gene targets were identified within the formula.Enrichment analyses revealed 896 GO entries and 123 signaling pathways,notably including the IL-7,TNF,Toll-like receptor,and NF-kappa B pathways.Molecular docking indicated that the key components of the formula exhibited a strong binding affinity with proteins involved in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.Additionally,experiments confirmed that QgYp effectively inhibited the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells induced by LPS,and the expression of α-SMA,COL-1,TLR4,IκB-α,and NF-κB p65 proteins in both HSC-T6 cells and rats with liver fibrosis decreased.Conclusion QgYp can effectively inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and has a suppressive effect on the fibrosis process in hepatic stellate cells,offering a theoretical basis for its clinical application in treating liver fibrosis.

AIM:To establish methods for the isolation,identification,primary culture and evaluation of gas-tric smooth muscle cells(GSMC)from rat and mouse.METHODS:Thirty SD rats and thirty C57BL/6 mice were random-ly assigned into three groups,with 10 rats or mice in each group.Three parallel experiments were conducted to isolate pri-mary GSMC under aseptic conditions.The isolated cells were identified through morphological observation,immunofluo-rescence and Western blot.Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the purity of the cells.Additionally,trypan blue ex-clusion test was utilized to evaluate the viability of the cells after resuscitation.RESULTS:Isolated rat and mouse GSMC exhibited a fusiform or polygonal morphology.Immunofluorescence and Western blot results demonstrated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Flow cytometry showed that the positive expression rate of α-SMA was 99.6%in rat GSMC and 97.4%in mouse GSMC.Moreover,the viability rates of rat and mouse GSMC after cryopreservation were found to be greater than 97%.CONCLUSION:A stable and reliable method for the isolation,culture and evaluation of primary GSMC from rat and mouse has been established.

[Objective]To clarify the therapeutic effect of five groups of ascending and descending drugs on ulcerative colitis(UC),and to explore its different characteristics and potential regulatory pathways.[Methods]Sixty-four C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,positive control group and five groups of ascending and descending drug groups,with 8 mice in each group.The UC model of mice was induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Except for the normal control group,the other groups of mice freely drank 2.5%DSS solution every day,and the mice in each drug group were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.During the modeling period,the state of the mice was observed every day,and the body weight,food intake,water intake and fecal morphology of the mice were recorded.At the end of the experiment,the disease activity index(DAI)score and colonic histopathological changes of mice in each group were compared.Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in the colon of mice in each intervention group.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the expression level of node genes in key signaling pathway.[Results]Compared with normal control group,the DAI score of the mice in model control group was significantly increased(P<0.0001),the body weight was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the colon was significantly shortened(P<0.05),and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration was observed.Compared with model control group,the diet of UC mice in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus group increased gradually;Platycodonis Radix-Armeniacae Semen Amarum group still had formed feces after modeling;the expression of estrogen signaling pathway-related genes closely related to pro-inflammatory response was down-regulated in Scutellariae Radix-Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Zingibere Et Alumine group;the DAI index of UC mice in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group was significantly lower than that in other groups,and the liver index of UC mice in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group was significantly lower than that in model control group(P<0.01).The G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)signaling pathway was up-regulated in the Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group.[Conclusion]The five groups of ascending and descending drug pairs had different therapeutic characteristics in the treatment of UC induced by DSS.Among them,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus group,Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group had obvious improvement effects on colon tissue pathological damage and submucosal collagen deposition.The protective effect on colonic goblet cells was relatively obvious in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group and Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba group.The reduction of apolipoprotein A1(ApoA1)was most significant in Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos group,and the down-regulation of CXC chemokine ligand 10(CXCL10)gene expression was most obvious in Platycodonis Radix-Armeniacae Semen Amarum group.In general,the protective effect of Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria cocos drug pair on UC was more comprehensive and worthy of further study.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy and effect on serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP)levels of pa-tients with advanced liver cancer of qi deficiency and toxic stasis type by Jiawei Yupingfeng San.METHODS Using random double blind method,120 patients with advanced liver cancer of qi deficiency and toxic stasis type were randomly divided into 3 groups:Jiawei Yupingfeng San group,Yupingfeng San group,and placebo group,each consisting of 40 cases.All patients in the 3 groups were given conventional treatment such as radiotherapy,chemotherapy,interventional or targeted therapy;Jiawei Yupingfeng San group was given Jiawei Yupingfeng San granules,Yupingfeng San group was given Yupingfeng San granules,and placebo group was given placebo.The course of treatment was 2 months.The changes of Karnofsky functional status score(KPS score),TCM syndrome score,tumor size and serum TSLP level in the 3 groups were observed before and after treatment,and the correlation between the changes of tumor size and TSLP was analyzed.RESULTS After treatment,the KPS scores of Yupingfeng San group and Jiawei Yupingfeng San group were sig-nificantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),TCM syndrome score were decreased(P<0.01),tumor growth(P<0.05,P<0.01)was de-layed,and serum TSLP levels(P<0.05,P<0.01)were decreased.Furthermore,there was a slight positive correlation between chan-ges in tumor size and changes in TSLP(P<0.05).In terms of improving tumor size,the curative effect of Jiawei Yupingfeng San group was better than that of Yupingfeng San group(P<0.05).During the treatment period,no obvious adverse reactions were observed in the 3 groups of patients.CONCLUSION Combined with conventional treatment,Jiawei Yupingfeng San can significantly delay tumor growth in patients with advanced liver cancer of qi deficiency and toxic stasis type and improve patients'TCM syndromes and their qual-ity of survival.The therapeutic mechanism is related to reducing the expression of serum TSLP and improving the immune status of pa-tients,thereby delaying the growth of tumors.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified mushroom-shaped occluder in the treatment of refractory thoracogastric-airway fistulas.Methods:From March 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, 12 patients with refractory thoracogastric-airway fistulas underwent the placement of modified mushroom-shaped occluder at the Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. The baseline clinical data of patients such as gender, age, course of disease, and fistula diameter were recorded. The data of operation and follow-up, such as operation time and method, intraoperative and postoperative complications were also collected. The occlusion efficacy at 1 month and 6 months after surgery, as well as the improvement of body mass index (BMI) and scores of the short form 36 (SF-36) were analyzed. Paired t test and non-parametric test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 10 males and 2 females among the 12 patients. The median age was 66.5 years old (ranged from 53.0 to 69.0 years old), the median course of disease was 7.5 months (ranged from 3.0 to 39.0 months), and the diameter of fistula was (9.3±3.4) mm. The occluder placements were successful in all the 12 patients, with 6 cases intracavitary release and 6 extracavitary release. The operation time was (30.9±9.9) min and the time of occluder placement was (3.5±1.3) min. One patient had minor (<2 mL) bleeding during the operation and 2 patients reported mild foreign body sensation but tolerable after operation. All patients resumed oral feeding and nasojejunal tubes were removed before discharge. The follow-up time of 12 patients was (11.3±1.7) months. The initial effective occlusion rate was 11/12, and the complete occlusion rate was 9/12. Two patients died but neither were related to the procedure or instruments. The BMI of 12 patients at 1 month after surgery was (18.5±1.9) kg/m 2, which was higher than that before operation ((17.6±2.3) kg/m 2), the BMI at 6 months after operation was (20.3±2.5) kg/m 2, which was higher than that at 1 month after operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-4.15 and -4.45, P=0.002 and 0.001). The scores of 8 domains of SF-36 including physical functioning, general health, vitality, mental health, role-physical, bodily pain, social functioning and role-emotional of 12 patients before operation, at 1 month after operation and 6 months after operation were 49.6±13.6, 63.3±13.5 and 75.4±8.6, 17.1±11.2, 33.2±14.5 and 56.0±12.2, 30.0±12.6, 45.0±13.5 and 67.5±8.7, 41.3±18.7, 52.0±15.4 and 68.0±8.2, 0.0 (0.0 to 75.0), 25.0 (0.0 to 100.0) and 50.0 (25.0 to 100.0), 87.8 (44.0 to 100.0), 90.8 (57.0 to 100.0) and 100.0 (94.0 to 100.0), 12.5 (0.0 to 50.0), 50.0 (37.5 to 75.0) and 81.3 (50.0 to 87.5), 0.0 (0.0 to 100.0), 66.7 (33.3 to 100.0) and 100.0 (33.3 to 100.0), respectively. The scores of 8 domains at 1 month after operation were all higher than those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-5.25, -5.32, -4.87 and -2.51, Z=-2.97, -2.20, -3.11 and -3.00; all P<0.05). The scores of 8 domains at 6 months after operation were all higher than those at 1 month after operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-4.34, -7.48, -7.10 and -4.64, Z=-2.49, -2.20, -2.97 and -2.07; all P<0.05). Conclusion:The clinical application of the improved mushroom-shaped occluder in the treatment of refractory thoracogastric-airway fistulas is effective and relatively safe.