1.In Vitro and in vivo Component Identification of Danshenyin Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS
Sitong ZHANG ; Xianrun HU ; Wenkang LIU ; Jinchun LEI ; Xuemei CHENG ; Xiaojun WU ; Wansheng CHEN ; Manlin LI ; Changhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):175-183
ObjectiveTo elucidate the chemical composition of Danshenyin and its blood components in rats after oral administration. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with PeakView 1.2 software was used to systematically characterize and identify the components of Danshenyin aqueous extract and its migratory components in rat blood after oral administration based on the retention time, quasi-molecular ion peaks, secondary fragmentation ions, and literature reports, and a preliminary compounds identification of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma aqueous extract, the co-decoction of Santali Albi Lignum and Amomi Fructus was carried out to attribute the chemical constituents of the aqueous extract of Danshenyin. ResultsA total of 73 compounds, including 21 phenolic acids, 23 diterpenes, 6 flavonoids, 7 organic acids, 3 volatile oils and 13 others, were identified from the aqueous extract of Danshenyin. And 36 prototypes and 15 metabolites were identified in rat plasma, the major metabolic pathways included reduction, hydration, hydroxylation, demethylation, methylation, sulfation and others, these metabolites were mainly derived from tanshinones and salvianolic acids. ConclusionThe main blood components of the aqueous extract of Danshenyin are salvianolic acids and tanshinones, which may be the material basis of the efficacy. This study can provide reference for pharmacological research, quality control, and clinical application of Danshenyin.
2.Generation of a FAM50A knockout Beta-TC-6 cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and preparation of a FAM50A polyclonal antibody
Yaxua Qiu ; Xiangrui Meng ; Xiaoyan Xie ; Sitong Cheng ; Yufan Peng ; Siqi Liu ; Xue Zhao ; Zhangfeng Hu ; Junqiao Xing ; Weihua Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):2105-2112
Objective:
To construct a Family with sequence similarity 50 member A(FAM50A) gene knockout mouse insulinoma pancreatic β-cell line Beta-TC-6 using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology and to prepare polyclonal antibodies specifically recognizing FAM50A.
Methods:
Two guide RNAs(sgRNAs) targeting the FAM50A gene were designed,and a recombinant plasmid expressing blue fluorescent protein(BFP) was constructed for gene knockout.The successfully constructed plasmid was transfected into Beta-TC-6 cells,and BFP-positive single cells were isolated for clonal expansion.The expanded monoclonal cell lines were genotyped by Sanger sequencing,and FAM50A protein expression was assessed by Western blot.Purified human recombinant FAM50A protein was used to immunize New Zealand rabbits for the preparation of a polyclonal antibody.The specificity of the prepared antibody was then validated using the successfully established FAM50A knockout cell line.
Results:
A monoclonal cell line with a successful knockout of the FAM50A gene was identified.Sanger sequencing confirmed base deletions at the target site.Western blot analysis showed a complete absence of FAM50A protein expression in this cell line.The prepared polyclonal antibody successfully recognized endogenous murine FAM50A protein in wild-type Beta-TC-6 cells and in hTERT-RPE1 cells overexpressing human FAM50A-GFP fusion protein,while no signal was detected in the FAM50A knockout cells.
Conclusion
This study successfully established a FAM50A gene knockout Beta-TC-6 cell model and generated a FAM50A polyclonal antibody,providing powerful tools for future research.
3.Mechanism of Total Saponin of Astragali Radix and Total Alkaloids of Nelumbinis Folium Against Hyperlipidemia Based on PPARγ/LXRα/ABCG1 Signaling Pathway
Yufang ZHANG ; Jian CHEN ; Yixin ZHANG ; Sitong LI ; Yafen WANG ; Yongqi ZHANG ; Cheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):37-44
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of the combination of total saponin of Astragali Radix-total alkaloids of Nelumbinis Folium on reversal cholesterol transport (RCT) in hyperlipidemia rats, and to discuss its mechanism. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, high-fat diet group, total saponin of Astragali Radix-total alkaloids of Nelumbinis Folium low (17 mg·kg-1+40 mg·kg-1), middle (34 mg·kg-1+80 mg·kg-1), high dose (68 mg·kg-1+160 mg·kg-1) groups and simvastatin (2.1 mg·kg-1) group, with 10 mice in each group. The Hyperlipidemia model was duplicated by feeding rats with a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. From the 3rd week, except for the control group and the high-fat diet group given distilled water, other groups were given corresponding drugs intragastric treatment for 4 weeks. The changes in blood lipid and liver function of rats were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and oil red O staining were used to observe the pathological morphological changes and steatosis of rat liver tissue. The contents of total cholesterol (TC) and total bile acid (TBA) in rat liver tissue and feces were determined by a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer. The mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors γ (PPARγ), liver X receptors α (LXRα), ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in rat liver tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group, the contents or activities of TC, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TBA, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the contents of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the high-fat diet group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The hepatocyte was clearly swollen like ballooning degeneration, with a lot of fat vacuoles and red fat droplets. The contents of TC and TBA in liver tissue and feces were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCG1, and CYP7A1 in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the high-fat diet group, the contents or activities of TC, TG, LDL-C, TBA, AST, and ALT in the serum of rats in administered groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the content of HDL-C was significantly increased (P<0.01). Hepatocyte swelling was significantly reduced, and the ballooning degeneration, fat vacuoles, and red lipid droplets in liver tissue were significantly decreased. The contents of TC and TBA in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the contents of TC and TBA in feces were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCG1, and CYP7A1 in liver tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionTotal saponin of Astragali Radix-total alkaloids of Nelumbinis Folium has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia rats, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of PPARγ/LXRα/ABCG1 signaling pathway and regulation of RCT.
4.Regulation of Danshen Zexie Decoction on AMPK/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Rats with Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease
Yaning BIAO ; Xinqiao CHU ; Muqing ZHANG ; Chenxu LIU ; Cheng SHI ; Sitong LI ; Yixin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(1):67-74
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanism of Danshen Zexie decoction in treating the rats with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). MethodSixty male SD rats were randomized into control group, model group, essentiale (polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules, 0.144 g·kg-1) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Danshen Zexie decoction (1.16, 2.32, and 4.64 g·kg-1, respectively) groups. The rat model of MAFLD was established with high fat diet, and 8-week therapy started at the induction of MAFLD. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as the liver levels of TC, TG, free fatty acid (FFA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. The pathological changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and oil red O staining, and the steatosis score and oil red O staining area were calculated. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate: quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1) in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with control group, the modeling of MAFLD elevated the levels of TC, TG, ALT, and AST in the serum and TC, TG, FFA, MDA, and ROS in the liver (P<0.01), lowered the levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated the protein levels of phosphorylation(p)-AMPK, Nrf2, GCLC, GCLM, and NQO1 in the liver (P<0.05, P<0.01). Further, a large number of lipid droplet vacuoles and balloon-like lesions appeared in the hepatocytes, and the steatosis score and oil red O staining area increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with model group, Danshen Zexie decoction lowered the levels of TC, TG, ALT, and AST in the serum and TC, TG, FFA, MDA, and ROS in the liver (P<0.01), increased the levels of SOD and GSH and up-regulated the protein levels of p-AMPK, Nrf2, GCLC, GCLM, and NQO1 in the liver (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the decoction alleviated the degree of liver steatosis (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDanshen Zexie decoction protects against MAFLD by activating AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway and suppressing oxidative stress.
5.Antimicrobial resistance profile and fluoroquinolone resistance genes in Nocardia
Gang LI ; Zhenna CHENG ; Jia TAO ; Xiaoyan ZHOU ; Hui FU ; Hong MA ; Sitong WU ; Wei JIA
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2018;18(2):190-194
Objective To investigate the species, antimicrobial resistance, and fluoroquinolone resistance gene profiles of Nocardia in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University. Methods Nocardia isolates were collected in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University during the period from January 2013 to June 2017. Broth dilution method was used to determine the susceptibility of the Nocardia strains to 15 antibiotics. Fluoroquinolone resistance genes gyrA, parC, qnrA, qnrB and qnrS were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Results A total of 16 isolates of Nocardia were collected, including Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (62.6%, 10/16), Nocardia farcinica (18.7%, 3/16), and Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (18.7%, 3/16). Most Nocardia isolates (81.2%, 13/16) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. About 12.5%, 12.5%, 25.0% and 18.7% of the strains were resistant to ceftriaxone, tobramycin, gentamicin and cefepime. Overall, gyrA, parC, qnrA and qnrB were identified in 18.8%, 37.5%, 25.0% and 18.7% of the Nocardia strains. The qnrS gene was not found in any strain. Conclusions The most frequently Nocardia species in the hospital was Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. Fluoroquinolone resistance is serious in the Nocardia isolates.Fluoroquinolone resistance of Nocardia is likely associated with gyrA, parC, qnrA, and qnrB genes. We should pay close attention to the emergence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia infection.


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