ObjectiveTo integrate network pharmacology prediction with multi-level experimental verification methods， and to explore in depth the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of luteolin in treating gout. MethodsDatabases were used to obtain potential pharmacodynamic targets of luteolin. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network construction and network pharmacology analysis techniques were used to screen key core targets of luteolin in gout treatment. Further biological function enrichment analysis and signaling pathway analysis were performed on these targets. Molecular docking simulation was used to calculate the binding energy between luteolin and potential core targets， clarifying the strength of their interactions. In the in vivo experiment for hyperuricemia， 48 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， an allopurinol group （5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （10 mg·kg^-1）， medium-dose （30 mg·kg^-1）， and high-dose （90 mg·kg^-1） luteolin groups. For the first three days， the blank and model groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline， while the allopurinol group and luteolin groups were gavaged with corresponding drugs. From day 4 onwards， modeling was performed by intraperitoneal injection at 12：00 daily （normal saline for the blank group， and oxonic acid potassium-hypoxanthine mixture for other groups， with 300 mg·kg^-1 for each group）. Gavage intervention was administered at 18：00 daily （normal saline for the blank/model groups， and corresponding drugs for the treatment groups） until day 7. After sampling， levels of serum uric acid （UA）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were measured. Levels of xanthine oxidase （XO） in the liver and kidney， ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 （ABCG2） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in the kidney， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in the liver were determined. Renal HE staining was also performed. In the pharmacodynamic study of gouty arthritis， 36 rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a colchicine group （0.315 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （7 mg·kg^-1）， medium-dose （21 mg·kg^-1）， and high-dose （63 mg·kg^-1） luteolin groups. The model was established by vertically injecting 100 µL of 25 g·L^-1 monosodium urate suspension into the posterior lateral aspect of the right ankle joint （the blank group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline）， with repeated injections every two days for reinforcement. From day 2 after modeling， daily gavage administration was performed （normal saline for the blank/model groups， and corresponding drugs for the treatment groups） for a total of 16 days. During the experiment， ankle swelling and pain threshold were measured regularly. After sampling， levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were determined. Ankle joints were subjected to HE， Masson， and safranin O-fast green staining， and HE staining was also performed on ankle synovial tissue and various organs. Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of key proteins in gout-related signaling pathways. ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted that luteolin may regulate over 20 core targets， such as XO， ABCG2， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and SOD， through acting on signaling pathways including NF-κB， phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， and ABC transporters， thereby affecting uric acid metabolism and inflammatory responses. In the hyperuricemia model， compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased serum UA level， liver and kidney XO activity， renal ABCG2 expression， and liver SOD activity （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose luteolin group significantly reduced serum UA level （P<0.01）， inhibited liver and kidney XO activity （P<0.01）， and significantly increased renal ABCG2 expression and liver SOD activity （P<0.01）， effectively alleviating renal oxidative stress damage and improving renal histopathological status. In the gouty arthritis model， compared with the blank group， the model group showed significant ankle swelling， decreased pain threshold， and significantly increased levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue （P<0.01）. The high-dose luteolin group significantly reduced ankle swelling， prolonged hot plate pain threshold， effectively decreased the levels of the above inflammatory factors in serum and synovial tissue （P<0.01）， and significantly improved ankle pathological damage， showing good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Western blot results further confirmed that luteolin significantly upregulated Nrf2 protein expression and downregulated XO and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） expression in animals. ConclusionLuteolin can improve symptoms of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis， and its potential mechanism may be related to inhibiting XO activity， increasing ABCG2 and SOD levels， and regulating Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress-related pathways.

Pulpitis is a common infective oral disease in clinical situations. The regulatory mechanisms of immune defense in pulpitis are still being investigated. Osteomodulin (OMD) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan family member distributed in bones and teeth. It is a bioactive protein that promotes osteogenesis and suppresses the apoptosis of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). In this study, the role of OMD in pulpitis and the OMD-induced regulatory mechanism were investigated. The OMD expression in normal and inflamed human pulp tissues was detected via immunofluorescence staining. Intriguingly, the OMD expression decreased in the inflammatory infiltration area of pulpitis specimens. The cellular experiments demonstrated that recombined human OMD could resist the detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. A conditional Omd knockout mouse model with pulpal inflammation was established. LPS-induced inflammatory impairment significantly increased in conditional Omd knockout mice, whereas OMD administration exhibited a protective effect against pulpitis. Mechanistically, the transcriptome alterations of OMD overexpression showed significant enrichment in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL1R1), a vital membrane receptor activating the NF-κB pathway, was significantly downregulated in OMD-overexpressing hDPSCs. Additionally, the interaction between OMD and IL1R1 was verified using co-immunoprecipitation and molecular docking. In vivo, excessive pulpal inflammation in Omd-deficient mice was rescued using an IL1R antagonist. Overall, OMD played a protective role in the inflammatory response via the IL1R1/NF-κB signaling pathway. OMD may optimize the immunomodulatory functions of hDPSCs and can be used for regenerative endodontics.
Pulpitis/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Dental Pulp/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipopolysaccharides

Human naïve pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold great promise for embryonic development studies. Existing induction and culture strategies for these cells, heavily dependent on MEK inhibitors, lead to widespread DNA hypomethylation, aberrant imprinting loss, and genomic instability during extended culture. Here, employing high-content analysis alongside a bifluorescence reporter system indicative of human naïve pluripotency, we screened over 1,600 chemicals and identified seven promising candidates. From these, we developed four optimized media-LAY, LADY, LUDY, and LKPY-that effectively induce and sustain PSCs in the naïve state. Notably, cells reset or cultured in these media, especially in the LAY system, demonstrate improved genome-wide DNA methylation status closely resembling that of pre-implantation counterparts, with partially restored imprinting and significantly enhanced genomic stability. Overall, our study contributes advancements to naïve pluripotency induction and long-term maintenance, providing insights for further applications of naïve PSCs.
Humans ; DNA Methylation/drug effects* ; Genomic Instability ; Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Culture Techniques/methods* ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and mechanism of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase/stimulator of interferon gene (cGAS/STING) pathway in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. METHODS: Male wild-type C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (each n = 10): normal control group, ALI model group, and 5, 50, 500 μg/kg inhibitor pretreatment groups. The ALI model was established by tail vein injection of oleic acid (7 mL/kg), while the normal control group received no intervention. The inhibitor pretreatment groups were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding doses of cGAS inhibitor RU.521 respectively 1 hour before modeling. At 24 hours post-modeling, blood was collected, and mice were sacrificed. Lung tissue pathological changes were observed under light microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and pathological scores were assessed. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, phosphorylated TANK-binding kinase 1 (p-TBK1), phosphorylated interferon regulatory factor 3 (p-IRF3), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in lung tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe STING and p-NF-κB positive expressions in lung tissue. Serum interferon-β (IFN-β) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the ALI model group exhibited significant focal alveolar thickening, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary capillary congestion, and neutrophil infiltration in the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli, along with markedly increased pathological scores (10.33±0.58 vs. 1.33±0.58, P < 0.05). Protein expressions of cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, p-IRF3, and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue significantly increased [cGAS protein (cGAS/β-actin): 1.24±0.02 vs. 0.56±0.02, STING protein (STING/β-actin): 1.27±0.01 vs. 0.55±0.01, p-TBK1 protin (p-TBK1/β-actin): 1.34±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.01, p-IRF3 protein (p-IRF3/β-actin): 1.23±0.02 vs. 0.36±0.01, p-NF-κB p65 protein (p-NF-κB p65/β-actin): 1.30±0.02 vs. 0.53±0.02, all P < 0.05], positive expressions of STING and p-NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly elevated [STING (A value): 0.51±0.03 vs. 0.30±0.07, p-NF-κB (A value): 0.57±0.05 vs. 0.31±0.03, both P < 0.05], and serum IFN-β levels were also significantly higher (ng/L: 256.02±3.84 vs. 64.15±1.17, P < 0.05). The cGAS inhibitor pretreatment groups showed restored alveolar structural integrity, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased hemorrhage area, along with dose-dependent lower pathological scores as well as the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, p-IRF3 and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue, with significant differences between the 500 μg/kg inhibitor group and ALI model group [pathological score: 2.67±0.58 vs. 10.33±0.58, cGAS protein (cGAS/β-actin): 0.56±0.03 vs. 1.24±0.02, STING protein (STING/β-actin): 0.67±0.03 vs. 1.27±0.01, p-TBK1 protein (p-TBK1/β-actin): 0.28±0.01 vs. 1.34±0.03, p-IRF3 protein (p-IRF3/β-actin): 0.32±0.01 vs. 1.23±0.02, p-NF-κB p65 protein (p-NF-κB p65/β-actin): 0.63±0.01 vs. 1.30±0.02, all P < 0.05]. Compared with the ALI model group, positive expressions of STING and p-NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly reduced in the 500 μg/kg inhibitor group [STING (A value): 0.40±0.01 vs. 0.51±0.03, p-NF-κB (A value): 0.43±0.02 vs. 0.57±0.05, both P < 0.05], and serum IFN-β levels were also markedly reduced (ng/L: 150.03±6.19 vs. 256.02±3.84, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The cGAS/STING pathway is activated in oleic acid-induced ALI, leading to exacerbated inflammatory responses and increased lung damage. RU.521 can inhibit cGAS, thereby down-regulating the expression of pathway proteins and cytokines, and providing protection to lung tissue.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Male ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Oleic Acid/adverse effects* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Lung/pathology* ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-3/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a significant complication of sepsis, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and poor prognosis. Neutrophils, as critical intrinsic immune cells in the lung, play a fundamental role in the development and progression of ALI. During ALI, neutrophils generate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and excessive NETs can intensify inflammatory injury. Research indicates that Taohe Chengqi decoction (THCQD) can ameliorate sepsis-induced lung inflammation and modulate immune function. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which THCQD improves ALI and its relationship with NETs in sepsis patients, seeking to provide novel perspectives and interventions for clinical treatment. The findings demonstrate that THCQD enhanced survival rates and reduced lung injury in the cecum ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced ALI mouse model. Furthermore, THCQD diminished neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, inflammatory responses, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Notably, subsequent experiments confirmed that THCQD inhibits NET formation both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, THCQD significantly decreased the expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) protein, and molecular docking predicted that certain active compounds in THCQD could bind tightly to PAD4. PAD4 overexpression partially reversed THCQD's inhibitory effects on PAD4. These findings strongly indicate that THCQD mitigates CLP-induced ALI by inhibiting PAD4-mediated NETs.
Extracellular Traps/immunology* ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Sepsis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Neutrophils/immunology* ; Male ; Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 4/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cytokines/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) for sciatic nerve block in mice.Methods:Twenty-four healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 25-30 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: 1.33% LB 80 μl group (group A), 1.33% LB 40 μl group (group B), 0.66% LB 80 μl group (group C), and 0.66% LB 40 μl group (group D). The sciatic nerve block was performed using the corresponding concentration of LB or the equal volume of LB in each group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured using Von Frey filaments immediately after sciatic nerve block, at 5 min of block, and every 1 h until MWT recovered to the baseline level. The sciatic nerve block time-MWT curve was plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC). Results:The time-MWT curves exhibited similar bimodal characteristics in each group. From the time point immediately after the blockade to the first MWT peak after the blockade, there were no statistically significant differences in the AUC among the four groups ( P>0.05). From the first MWT peak to the first trough, the AUC was significantly greater in A group than in B, C and D groups and in B and C groups than in D group ( P<0.05). From the first trough to the second MWT peak, there was no significant difference in the AUC between A group and D group ( P>0.05), and the AUC was significantly greater in B and C groups than in A and D groups ( P<0.05). From the second MWT peak to the baseline level, the AUC was significantly greater in A group than in B, C and D groups ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the AUC among B, C and D groups ( P>0.05). In the total duration of the sciatic nerve block, the AUC was significantly greater in A group than in B, C and D groups and in B and C groups than in D group ( P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the AUC between B group and C group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:LB exhibits characteristic bimodal changes when used for sciatic nerve block; higher concentrations and volume of LB result in stronger and longer-lasting block effects in mice.

Objective To explore the differences in the use of hypoglycemic drugs and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)of different age groups,and to provide some references for individualized blood glucose control in elderly T2DM patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.A total of 187 elderly(≥70 years old)T2DM patients admitted to Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from October 2022 to August 2024 were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into three groups according to age:70-79(93 cases),80-89(52 cases),and≥90(42 cases)years old.The differences in glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,renal function and the use of hypoglycemic drugs among the groups were compared.Results With increasing age,the hospital stays for the 70-79,80-89,and≥90 years old groups significantly increased(days:7.78±2.84,10.17±7.97,15.45±11.21,P<0.05),diastolic blood pressure gradually decreased[mmHg(1 mmHg≈ 0.133 kPa):75.60±9.15,73.77±10.79,67.45±9.50],estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and HbA1c both significantly decreased[eGFR(mL·min-1·1.73 m-2):65.55±23.01,49.68±20.19,46.39±16.41;HbA1c(9.02±1.99)%,(8.75±2.21)%,(7.80±1.43)%,all P<0.05].In terms of hypoglycemic treatment,the average number of hypoglycemic drugs used by the≥90 years old group was significantly less than that of the 80-89 years old group and the 70-79 years old group(types:1.86±0.78 vs.2.67±1.12,2.88±0.93,both P<0.01).With increasing age,the usage rates of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors(SGLT-2i)and metformin(MET)in the 70-79,80-89,and≥90 years old groups gradually decreased[SGLT-2i:50.54%(47/93),42.31%(22/52),26.19%(11/42),MET:46.24%(43/93),30.77%(16/52),7.14%(3/42),all P<0.05].Conclusions Medical workers have fully considered factors such as renal function,diabetic cardiovascular complications,health status,and life expectancy in the use of hypoglycemic drugs for elderly T2DM patients and have implemented individualized blood glucose management.However,in the≥90 years old group,the HbA1c level is too strict,and the risk of hypoglycemia should be carefully prevented.

Objective To investigate the expression changes of serum microRNA(miR)-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p in patients with acute pancreatitis(AP)and their relationship with the severity of the disease.Methods A total of 102 AP patients treated in the hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the study group.According to the severity of the disease,the patients were divided into mild acute pancrea-titis(MAP)group and severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)group.A total of 102 healthy people who underwent physical examination in the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Quantita-tive real-time PCR was used to detect the levels of miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p.The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of serum miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p levels with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE)Ⅱ score,Ranson score,and biochemical indicators TNF-α,IL-6,and CRP in AP patients.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of SAP.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of serum miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p for AP and SAP.Results The serum levels of miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p in the study group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum levels of miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p in the MAP group were higher than those in the SAP group(P<0.05).The APACHEⅡ score,Ranson score and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and CRP in the MAP group were significantly lower than those in the SAP group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum levels of miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p in AP patients were negatively correlated with APACHEⅡ score and Ranson score(P<0.05).The serum levels of miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p in AP patients were negatively correlated with TNF-α,IL-6 and CRP(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that serum TNF-α,IL-6 and CRP were risk factors for SAP(P<0.05),and miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p were protective factors for SAP(P<0.05).ROC curve showed that the AUC of miR-365a-3p combined with miR-10a-5p in the diagnosis of AP was 0.832(95%CI 0.777-0.887),which was greater than the AUC of miR-365a-3p alone(0.742,95%CI 0.674-0.810,Z=2.539,P=0.011)and miR-10a-5p alone(0.676,95%CI 0.674-0.810,95%CI 0.602-0.750,Z=4.366,P<0.001).The AUC of the combined diagnosis of SAP was 0.859(95%CI 0.776-0.920),which was greater than the AUC of miR-365a-3p alone(0.733,95%CI 0.637-0.816,Z=2.078,P=0.038),miR-10a-5p alone(0.718,95%CI 0.620-0.803,Z=2.249,P=0.024).Conclusion The expression of serum miR-365a-3p and miR-10a-5p is related to the severity of AP,and the combination of the two is better than single diagnosis of SAP.

Objective:To evaluate the contents and transfer rates of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in Hirudo, decoction pieces, standard decoction, intermediates, and formula granules; To provide a basis for the safety evaluation of formula granules of Hirudo.Methods:The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) were employed for determining the contents of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in Hirudo and its scald product. Then the contents, transfer rates, and proportions of inorganic arsenic in total arsenic were analyzed to inform the change rules of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic after processing and decocting. Clustering analysis (CA) was applied by analyzing fifteen batches of Hirudo for identifying the distinction among different producing areas.Results:After processing the Hirudo into Hirudo scald product, the content of arsenic was basically unchanged, arsenite and arsenate were presenting a different variation, the content of arsenite and its proportion in total arsenic decreased, while the content of arsenate and its proportion in total arsenic increased. The total arsenic content was exceeding the standard easily, meanwhile the transfer rate of total arsenic was at high level. The transfer rates of arsenite and arsenate were more than 100%, and the proportions of arsenite and arsenate in total arsenic increased since the decoction pieces were decocted into standard decoction, intermediates and formula granules. CA results showed that producing areas have a certain impact on the arsenic content in Hirudo.Conclusion:This study revealed the change rules of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in Hirudo after processing and decocting into standard decoction,intermediates, and formula granules, which can providing reference for the production and quality standard formulation of formula granules of Hirudo.

Objective: To explore the expression of collagen type 1 alpha 2 (COL1A2) in cervical cancer and its correlation with immune infiltration. Methods: Bioinformatics techniques were used to analyze the expression of COL1A2 in cervical cancer. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of COL1A2 in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. The correlation between the expression of COL1A2 and tumor immune cell infiltration was analyzed by tumor immune estimation resource (TIMER2. 0) . Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the possible mechanism of COL1A2 in cervical cancer. Jaspar database was used to predict the transcrip- tion factors of COL1A2. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of transcription factors in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Results: The expression of COL1A2 was down-regulated in cervical cancer (P < 0. 05) . The expression of COL1A2 was positively correlated with the levels of macrophages and myeloid den- dritic cells (P < 0. 01) . The proportions of 22 types of immune cells were different in different cervical cancer pa- tients. In addition , compared with the high expression group of COL1A2 , the proportion of M0 macrophages , M2 macrophages and resting memory CD4 + T cells increased in the low expression group of COL1A2 , while the propor- tion of CD8 + T cells , activated memory CD4 + T cells , follicular helper T cells , activated NK cells and activated myeloid dendritic cells decreased (P < 0. 05) . GSEA analysis showed that COL1A2 was related to immune-related signaling pathways , including Notch signaling pathway , interleukin-6/janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL6/JAK/STAT3) , Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway , etc. (P < 0. 01) . Jaspar database pre- dicted that the transcription factor of COL1A2 was paired box protein 5 (PAX5) , and the expression of PAX5 de- creased in cervical cancer (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion COL1A2 is expected to become a potential diagnostic biomar- ker and immunotherapy target for cervical cancer.