1.Protective Effect of Xuebijing on Lung Injury in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis by Blocking FPRs/NLRP3 Inflammatory Pathway
Guixian ZHANG ; Dawei LIU ; Xia LI ; Xijing LI ; Pengcheng SHI ; Zhiqiao FENG ; Jun CAI ; Wenhui ZONG ; Xiumei ZHAO ; Hongbin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):113-120
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection (XBJ) on severe acute pancreatitis induced acute lung injury (SAP-ALI) by regulating formyl peptide receptors (FPRs)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory pathway. MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a SAP-ALI model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose XBJ groups (4, 8, and 12 mL·kg-1), and a positive drug (BOC2, 0.2 mg·kg-1) group. For the sham group, the pancreas of rats was only gently flipped after laparotomy, and then the abdomen was closed, while for the remaining five groups, SAP-ALI rat models were established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (Na-Tc) via the biliopancreatic duct. XBJ and BOC2 were administered via intraperitoneal injection once daily for 3 d prior to modeling and 0.5 h after modeling. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta 6 h after the completion of modeling, and the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of ascites was measured, and the dry-wet weight ratios of pancreatic and lung tissue were determined. Pancreatic and lung tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe pathological changes and then scored. The protein expression levels of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue were detected by the immunohistochemical method. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the SAP-ALI model group showed significantly decreased dry-wet weight ratio of lung tissue (P<0.01), serious pathological changes of lung tissue, a significantly increased pathological score (P<0.01), and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue (P<0.01). After BOC2 intervention, the above detection indicators were significantly reversed (P<0.01). After treatment with XBJ, the groups of different XBJ doses achieved results consistent with BOC2 intervention. ConclusionXBJ can effectively improve the inflammatory response of the lungs in SAP-ALI rats and reduce damage. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of FPRs and NLRP3 in lung tissue, which thereby reduces IL-1β and simultaneously antagonize the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.
2.Current status and strategy of diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer in the elderly
Chenye SHI ; Yaolin XU ; Wenhui LOU
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;40(3):178-182
Pancreatic cancer is a extremely high malignant digestive cancer, which usually occurred in the elderly. The cases and the portion of the elder patients in all pancreatic cancer patients are gradually increasing, resulted from the aging population in China. However, the management of the elder pancreatic cancer patients is challenging due to the multiple comorbidity, the poor tolerance to treatment and lack of social support. Meanwhile, these patients could be neglected by physician and relatives easily. More detailed physical, psychological and social support evaluations ought to be done before treatment in the elderly. The clinical care should be individualized based on the evaluations and tumor stage, in order to improve the prognosis and quality of life.
3.Association between inflammation-related dietary patterns and cognitive impairment in older adults aged 65 years and above in longevity areas of China: a reduced rank regression analysis
Yang LI ; Zihan LU ; Yangyang XIONG ; Wenjing CHEN ; Jun WANG ; Zenghang ZHANG ; Chen CHEN ; Wenhui SHI ; Xi MENG ; Zhenwei ZHANG ; Zinan XU ; Yuan XIA ; Yiqi LI ; Honglin LAI ; Yujie LI ; Cuipeng ZHANG ; Yuming ZHAO ; Yuebin LYU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(5):737-745
Objective:To analyze the association between inflammation-related dietary patterns and the risk for cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas in China by using reduced rank regression (RRR) analysis.Methods:This study used cross-sectional data from the 2021 Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, including the information about study participants' demographic characteristics, lifestyles, daily life activities, and disease histories. Dietary intake was obtained by using a simplified food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive impairment was evaluated based on the Mini-Mental State Examination Scale combined with years of education. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to detect inflammatory markers, especially high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). RRR analysis was used to obtain inflammation-related dietary patterns using hs-CRP and PLR as response variables. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between dietary pattern score and the risk for cognitive impairment. Restricted cubic spline was used to explore the dose response relationship, and mediation analysis was used to quantify the mediating effects of hs-CRP and PLR.Results:Two dietary patterns were identified with RRR. The primary pattern was characterized by higher intakes of flour, red meat, and dairy products, and lower intake of fresh vegetables, explaining 6.84% of the variance in food intake and 0.50% of the variance in inflammatory markers. Compared with the T1 group, the T3 group had significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.242, 95% CI: 1.034-1.491). Each one standard deviation increase in the dietary pattern score was associated with an 8.7% increase in the risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.087, 95% CI: 1.008-1.172), with a significant linear trend (overall-model P<0.001, non-linear P=0.295). Mediation analysis indicated that hs-CRP mediated 6.2% of the association between the dietary pattern and the risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion:The inflammation- related dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of flour, red meat, and dairy products and lower consumption of fresh vegetables is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment in older adults, and hs-CRP partially mediates this association.
4.Association between dietary behavior and sarcopenia in older adults aged 65 years and above in longevity areas of China: a latent class analysis
Yuming ZHAO ; Zhenwei ZHANG ; Jun WANG ; Jinhui ZHOU ; Hongzhou CHEN ; Li QI ; Yang LI ; Yongqiang CHEN ; Xi MENG ; Zenghang ZHANG ; Chen CHEN ; Xiaoming SHI ; Yuebin LYU ; Wenhui SHI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(5):746-752
Objective:To investigate the relationship between dietary behavior and sarcopenia in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas of China based on latent class analysis.Methods:A total of 4 358 older adults aged ≥65 years were selected from the 2021 Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study. The information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and chronic disease histories were collected. A simplified food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information about their dietary intake in the last month. The food intake frequency and food category score were calculated, and the higher the food category score, the richer the dietary intake. Latent class analysis was used to identify the latent classes of the dietary behavior. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the SARC-CalF. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of food category scores and different latent classes of the dietary behavior with the risk for sarcopenia.Results:In 4 358 older adults, 1 841 (42.24%) had sarcopenia. The frequencies of intakes of cereals and potatoes, vegetable and fruit, meat and bean products were lower in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group. The risk for sarcopenia decreased with the increase of food category score in older adults ( OR=0.850, 95% CI: 0.796-0.907). Latent class analysis identified 4 latent classes of the dietary behavior. Compared with those with class 1 (frequency of intake of all 5 food species was higher probability in T3 group), those with class 2 (frequency of intake of vegetables and fruits and energy-only foods were less likely to be in the T3 group) and class 3 (frequency of intake of all 5 food species was lower probability in T3 group) had significantly increased risk for sarcopenia ( OR=1.377, 95% CI: 1.131-1.676) and ( OR=1.354, 95% CI: 1.091-1.680), 37.7% and 35.4% increased risk for sarcopenia, respectively. Conclusion:Increasing dietary intake category and sufficient intake of various foods for a balanced dietary pattern can reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older adults.
5.Prevalence of herpes zoster and influencing factors in population in China
Jinxu AI ; Yiqi XIA ; Wenhui ZHU ; Zhenyu SHI ; Ping HE
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1204-1208
Objective:To understand the prevalence of herpes zoster and its influencing factors in population in China, and provide reference for the development of herpes zoster prevention strategies.Methods:A survey was conducted in 27 868 study participants in 25 provinces in China from July to September 2024. The prevalence of herpes zoster was calculated, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors.Results:The overall prevalence of herpes zoster in population in China was 6.15% (95% CI: 5.87%-6.43%) and the weighted overall prevalence was 5.89% (95% CI: 5.61%-6.17%). The prevalence in women (6.74%, 95% CI: 6.32%-7.15%) was higher than that in men (5.56%, 95% CI: 5.18%-5.94%). The prevalence increased with age, and the prevalence was 1.33% (95% CI: 1.05%-1.62%) in age group 0-17 years and 12.95% (95% CI: 11.77%-14.13%) in age group ≥70 years. The prevalence in urban population (6.95%, 95% CI: 6.54%-7.37%) was higher than that in rural population (5.30%, 95% CI: 4.92%-5.67%). The prevalence varied in people with different educational levels and increased with the increase of educational level. The prevalence had significant differences among people with different income levels. The prevalence of herpes zoster in adults with chronic diseases (11.09%, 95% CI: 10.45%-11.72%) was higher than that in those without chronic diseases (4.60%, 95% CI: 4.24%-4.97%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk for herpes zoster in women was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.15-1.42) times higher that in men. Older age, higher educational level, urban residence, and suffering from chronic diseases were all associated with increased risk for herpes zoster. Conclusions:The prevalence of herpes zoster was high in population in China. In the prevention and treatment of herpes zoster, it is necessary to take targeted protection measures for key populations, such as women, patients with chronic diseases, middle-aged and elderly people.
6.Age-specific distribution characteristics of plantar pressure parameters in healthy children aged 3-12 years
Shuai JIANG ; Yan SHI ; Yan HU ; Yanjie CHEN ; Yutian LIU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Wenhui LI ; Aimin LIANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(5):505-510
Objective:To investigate the age-specific distribution characteristics of plantar pressure parameters in healthy children aged 3-12 years.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrieved data from the hospital information system in January 2025 for 272 children aged 3-12 years who underwent physical examinations and voluntarily completed plantar pressure analysis at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2022 to December 2024. Demographic and clinical data, including anthropometric measurements (height and weight), flatfoot diagnosis and plantar pressure parameters (maximum pressure, time to maximum force, and contact time percentage in bilateral forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot) were recorded. Participants were categorized into 3 age groups (3-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-12 years) and were grouped by gender as well. Intergroup comparisons used one-way ANOVA or least-significant difference test or χ2 tests. Spearman′s rank correlation assessed the relationship between flatfoot prevalence and age. Results:Among 272 children (143 boys, 129 girls), age groups comprised 3-6 years (118 children, 64 boys and 54 girls), 7-9 years (96 children, 49 boys and 47 girls), and 10-12 years (58 children, 30 boys and 28 girls). Flatfoot prevalence was higher in boys than in that of girls (41.3% (59/143) vs. 28.7% (37/129), χ2=4.70, P=0.030), and negatively correlated with age ( r=-0.21, P<0.001). There all had statistically differences in the maximum pressure values of the bilateral forefoot and hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). The maximum pressure values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 10-12 years were all higher than those of the other two groups (all P<0.001). There had no statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). The time maximum force values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There had no statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral midfoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Plantar pressure parameters exhibit distinct age-related patterns, reflecting the development of gait patterns and foot arch formation, which will be useful for monitoring physical growth and sports rehabilitation.
7.Analysis of the impact of salt reduction interventions on primary school students′ parents based on the home-school interaction model
Jinglei WANG ; Yuming ZHAO ; Yibing YANG ; Junqing SONG ; Shilin CHANG ; Wenhui SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(1):76-81
To analyze the impact of salt reduction interventions on the knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding the salt reduction of students′ parents based on the home-school interaction model. In April 2021, parents of students in grades 3-5 from three primary schools in Yichang City were selected as the target population using a cluster sampling method, and the parent population was divided into an intervention group and a control group. In the intervention group, a comprehensive home-school interaction salt reduction intervention was implemented, and in the control group, no intervention measures were taken for students′ parents. Baseline and final surveys were conducted before and after the intervention period, which included general information, previous salt reduction interventions received, and salt reduction knowledge, attitude and behavior. Difference-in-difference (DID) method was used to compare the knowledge, attitude and behavior status of two groups before and after the intervention, and stratified analysis of parents with different literacy levels was conducted to assess the net effect of intervention implementation. The results showed that 740 parents completed the baseline and final surveys, with 231 in the intervention group and 509 in the control group. After propensity score matching, there were 231 (33.33%) in the intervention group and 462 (66.67%) in the control group. After the intervention, the proportion of the intervention group who obtained salt control spoons and pots, as well as salt reduction knowledge and advice through school, was 87.45%, 86.58% and 75.45%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). After the intervention, the proportion of parents with a high school and lower education who obtained salt control pots was higher in the intervention group (89.23%) than in the control group (74.49%), with significant differences ( P<0.05). The proportion of parents with a college degree or above who obtained salt control spoons and pots, as well as salt reduction knowledge and advice through school, was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). The results of DID method showed that after controlling for monthly income and other factors, the scores of parents′ salt reduction-related knowledge and low-salt behavior in the intervention group increased significantly higher than those in the control group, with DID values (95% CI) of 1.18 (0.15-2.21) and 0.62 (0.16-1.09), respectively, indicating a significant net effect of intervention implication. After stratification according to the education level of parents, this difference still existed in the college degree or above group, with DID values (95% CI) of 1.39 (0.13-2.66) and 0.76 (0.16-1.36), respectively. The home-school interaction model for salt reduction measures can improve the salt-related knowledge and low-salt behavioral choices of students′ parents.
8.Synthesis and evaluation of TSPO-targeting radioligand 18FF-TFQC for PET neuroimaging in epileptic rats.
Wenhui FU ; Qingyu LIN ; Zhequan FU ; Tingting YANG ; Dai SHI ; Pengcheng MA ; Hongxing SU ; Yunze WANG ; Guobing LIU ; Jing DING ; Hongcheng SHI ; Dengfeng CHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):722-736
The translocator protein (TSPO) positron emission tomography (PET) can noninvasively detect neuroinflammation associated with epileptogenesis and epilepsy. This study explored the role of the TSPO-targeting radioligand [18F]F-TFQC, an m-trifluoromethyl ER176 analog, in the PET neuroimaging of epileptic rats. Initially, [18F]F-TFQC was synthesized with a radiochemical yield of 8%-10% (EOS), a radiochemical purity of over 99%, and a specific activity of 38.21 ± 1.73 MBq/nmol (EOS). After determining that [18F]F-TFQC exhibited good biochemical properties, [18F]F-TFQC PET neuroimaging was performed in epileptic rats at multiple time points in various stages of disease progression. PET imaging showed specific [18F]F-TFQC uptake in the right hippocampus (KA-injected site, i.e., epileptogenic zone), which was most pronounced at 1 week (T/NT 1.63 ± 0.21) and 1 month (T/NT 1.66 ± 0.20). The PET results were further validated using autoradiography and pathological analysis. Thus, [18F]F-TFQC can reflect the TSPO levels and localize the epileptogenic zone, thereby offering the potential for monitoring neuroinflammation and guiding anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with epilepsy.
9.Efficacy and Mechanism of Shuanghua Drink in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea Based on COX-2/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Yuncheng MA ; Yuanyuan SHI ; Zhen LIU ; Yuxi WANG ; Yuan TIAN ; Qian LI ; Xiaozhu WANG ; Cheng HE ; Wenhui XU ; Weiling WANG ; Jian GAO ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):72-80
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a model group, an ibuprofen group (85.00 mg·kg-1), a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink (7.14 mL·kg-1), a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink (14.28 mL·kg-1), and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink (28.57 mL·kg-1). Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration, 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six groups, including a blank group, a model group, an ibuprofen group (51.00 mg·kg-1), a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink (4.28 mL·kg-1), a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink (8.57 mL·kg-1), and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink (17.10 mL·kg-1). Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day, oxytocin (2 U/rat) was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostacyclin metabolite (6-keto-PGF1α), and β-endorphin (β-EP) in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the content of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (p-IKKβ)/IKKβ, phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha (p-IκBα), IκBα, phosphorylated p65 (p-p65), p65, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model, the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group (P<0.01). Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency (P<0.05), while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency (P<0.01). In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model, the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.01). These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses (P<0.01). For the mechanism of action, the model group showed significantly increased PGF2α/PGE2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, NO, and iNOS in uterine tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly decreased β-EP (P<0.01). These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF2α/PGE2 (P<0.01), TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α (P<0.01), NO (medium-dose group P<0.05), and iNOS (P<0.01) were reduced, and the β-EP (medium-dose group P<0.05) was up-regulated. Compared to the model group, the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats (P<0.05). Compared to the blank group, the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2, p-IKKβ/IKKβ, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-p65/p65 proteins (P<0.01) and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 (P<0.01), p-IKKβ/IKKβ (P<0.01), p-IκBα/IκBα (P<0.05, P<0.01), and p-p65/p65(P<0.01) and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF2α/PGE2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, iNOS, and NO, elevated β-EP level, and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.
10.Efficacy and Mechanism of Shuanghua Drink in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea Based on COX-2/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Yuncheng MA ; Yuanyuan SHI ; Zhen LIU ; Yuxi WANG ; Yuan TIAN ; Qian LI ; Xiaozhu WANG ; Cheng HE ; Wenhui XU ; Weiling WANG ; Jian GAO ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):72-80
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a model group, an ibuprofen group (85.00 mg·kg-1), a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink (7.14 mL·kg-1), a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink (14.28 mL·kg-1), and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink (28.57 mL·kg-1). Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration, 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six groups, including a blank group, a model group, an ibuprofen group (51.00 mg·kg-1), a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink (4.28 mL·kg-1), a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink (8.57 mL·kg-1), and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink (17.10 mL·kg-1). Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day, oxytocin (2 U/rat) was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostacyclin metabolite (6-keto-PGF1α), and β-endorphin (β-EP) in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the content of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (p-IKKβ)/IKKβ, phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha (p-IκBα), IκBα, phosphorylated p65 (p-p65), p65, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model, the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group (P<0.01). Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency (P<0.05), while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency (P<0.01). In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model, the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.01). These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses (P<0.01). For the mechanism of action, the model group showed significantly increased PGF2α/PGE2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, NO, and iNOS in uterine tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly decreased β-EP (P<0.01). These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF2α/PGE2 (P<0.01), TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α (P<0.01), NO (medium-dose group P<0.05), and iNOS (P<0.01) were reduced, and the β-EP (medium-dose group P<0.05) was up-regulated. Compared to the model group, the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats (P<0.05). Compared to the blank group, the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2, p-IKKβ/IKKβ, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-p65/p65 proteins (P<0.01) and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the ibuprofen group and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 (P<0.01), p-IKKβ/IKKβ (P<0.01), p-IκBα/IκBα (P<0.05, P<0.01), and p-p65/p65(P<0.01) and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF2α/PGE2, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, iNOS, and NO, elevated β-EP level, and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

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