1.Mechanisms of Babaodan in Attenuating Acetaminophen-induced Acute Liver Injury via Metabolic Reprogramming and Inflammatory Pathways
Ying ZHANG ; Yuchang AN ; Xiang ZHU ; Mei ZHONG ; Yanfang ZHENG ; Mingqing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):122-130
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Babaodan (BBD) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) based on transcriptomics. MethodsA total of 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6 per group): normal group, model group, N-acetylcysteine group (NAC, 120 mg·kg-1), and BBD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (BBD-L, BBD-M, BBD-H groups, 75, 150, 300 mg·kg-1, respectively). Except for the normal group, all other groups were subjected to APAP-induced ALI. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured in each group. Hepatic levels or activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected using commercial kits. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate the degree of liver histopathological damage. Transcriptomic analysis was employed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify differential pathways involved in BBD intervention against ALI. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were applied to validate the expression of differential genes and related pathway proteins. Additionally, glucose (GLU) consumption, as well as lactate (LD) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were assessed across all mouse groups. ResultsPharmacodynamic evaluation showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL-C (P<0.01), significantly increased MDA level (P<0.01), and significantly decreased GSH-Px level (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, BBD intervention at different doses significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased GSH-Px level (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly decreased MDA level (P<0.01), and ameliorated hepatic histopathological injury. Liver transcriptomic analysis revealed that, following high-dose BBD intervention, the core genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to inflammatory responses and energy metabolic reprogramming, including the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, fructose and mannose metabolism, and glycolysis. Real-time PCR validation demonstrated that, compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression levels of glycolysis-related genes [hexokinase 1 (HK1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4), pyruvate kinase M (PKM), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)], as well as inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] were significantly upregulated in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BBD-H group showed significantly decreased mRNA expression of HK1, HK2, PFKFB3, PFKFB4, PKM, LDHA, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that, compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased expression of glycolysis-related proteins [glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), HK1, PFKFB3, and PKM], inflammatory proteins [interleukin-18 (IL-18), TNF-α, and IL-1β], and phosphorylated (p)-PI3K and p-Akt proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BBD-H group exhibited significantly decreased expression of GLUT1, HK1, PFKFB3, PKM, IL-18, TNF-α, IL-1β, p-PI3K, and p-Akt (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolic indicator measurements showed that, compared with the model group, the BBD-H group showed significantly reduced GLU consumption, LD and ATP content (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBBD may alleviate APAP-induced ALI through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and inflammatory responses, potentially via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
2.Mechanisms of Babaodan in Attenuating Acetaminophen-induced Acute Liver Injury via Metabolic Reprogramming and Inflammatory Pathways
Ying ZHANG ; Yuchang AN ; Xiang ZHU ; Mei ZHONG ; Yanfang ZHENG ; Mingqing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):122-130
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Babaodan (BBD) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) based on transcriptomics. MethodsA total of 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6 per group): normal group, model group, N-acetylcysteine group (NAC, 120 mg·kg-1), and BBD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (BBD-L, BBD-M, BBD-H groups, 75, 150, 300 mg·kg-1, respectively). Except for the normal group, all other groups were subjected to APAP-induced ALI. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured in each group. Hepatic levels or activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected using commercial kits. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate the degree of liver histopathological damage. Transcriptomic analysis was employed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify differential pathways involved in BBD intervention against ALI. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were applied to validate the expression of differential genes and related pathway proteins. Additionally, glucose (GLU) consumption, as well as lactate (LD) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were assessed across all mouse groups. ResultsPharmacodynamic evaluation showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL-C (P<0.01), significantly increased MDA level (P<0.01), and significantly decreased GSH-Px level (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, BBD intervention at different doses significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased GSH-Px level (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly decreased MDA level (P<0.01), and ameliorated hepatic histopathological injury. Liver transcriptomic analysis revealed that, following high-dose BBD intervention, the core genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to inflammatory responses and energy metabolic reprogramming, including the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, fructose and mannose metabolism, and glycolysis. Real-time PCR validation demonstrated that, compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression levels of glycolysis-related genes [hexokinase 1 (HK1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4), pyruvate kinase M (PKM), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)], as well as inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] were significantly upregulated in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BBD-H group showed significantly decreased mRNA expression of HK1, HK2, PFKFB3, PFKFB4, PKM, LDHA, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that, compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased expression of glycolysis-related proteins [glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), HK1, PFKFB3, and PKM], inflammatory proteins [interleukin-18 (IL-18), TNF-α, and IL-1β], and phosphorylated (p)-PI3K and p-Akt proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the BBD-H group exhibited significantly decreased expression of GLUT1, HK1, PFKFB3, PKM, IL-18, TNF-α, IL-1β, p-PI3K, and p-Akt (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolic indicator measurements showed that, compared with the model group, the BBD-H group showed significantly reduced GLU consumption, LD and ATP content (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBBD may alleviate APAP-induced ALI through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and inflammatory responses, potentially via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3.Spherical measurement-based analysis of gradient nonlinearity in magnetic resonance imaging.
Xiaoli YANG ; Zhaolian WANG ; Qian WANG ; Yiting ZHANG ; Zixuan SONG ; Yuchang ZHANG ; Yafei QI ; Xiaopeng MA
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):174-180
The gradient field, one of the core magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, is generated by gradient coils and plays a critical role in spatial encoding and the generation of echo signals. The uniformity or linearity of the gradient field directly impacts the quality and distortion level of MRI images. However, traditional point measurement methods lack accuracy in assessing the linearity of gradient fields, making it difficult to provide effective parameters for image distortion correction. This paper introduced a spherical measurement-based method that involved measuring the magnetic field distribution on a sphere, followed by detailed magnetic field calculations and linearity analysis. This study, applied to assess the nonlinearity of asymmetric head gradient coils, demonstrated more comprehensive and precise results compared to point measurement methods. This advancement not only strengthens the scientific basis for the design of gradient coils but also provides more reliable parameters and methods for the accurate correction of MRI image distortions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation*
;
Humans
;
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
;
Nonlinear Dynamics
;
Magnetic Fields
;
Algorithms
;
Phantoms, Imaging
4.Premature mortality projection for diabetes to 2030: a subnational evaluation towards the Healthy China 2030 Goals.
Hongrui ZHAO ; Zhenping ZHAO ; Xuan YANG ; Yuchang ZHOU ; Ainan JIA ; Jiangmei LIU ; Peng YIN ; Yamin BAI ; Zhenxing YANG ; Maigeng ZHOU ; Xiujuan ZHANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(4):626-635
The Healthy China 2030 Plan set the goal of reducing premature deaths from diabetes by 30% by 2030. However, there has been a lack of assessment of premature mortality for diabetes since the action plan was issued. This study used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, calculated the premature deaths for diabetes by sex, provinces, and subtypes from 1990 to 2021. We explored the temporal trend of premature mortality using the average annual percent change (AAPC) for different sexes, provinces, and subtypes from 1990 to 2021. Furthermore, we predicted premature mortality for diabetes through 2030 for China and its provinces according to the average annual change rate from 2010 to 2021. There was a first slow upward trend in premature mortality for diabetes from 0.5% in 1990 to 0.6% in 2004, and then a decline until 2021 with premature mortality of 0.4%. By 2030, only Fujian (30.3%) will achieve the desired level of reduction, with only seven provinces meeting the target for females and none for males. There is a large range in the degree of decline between inland and coastal regions, showing obvious geographic differences, and there should be a focus on balancing medical resources.
Humans
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Mortality, Premature/trends*
;
Diabetes Mellitus/mortality*
;
Goals
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
5.Preparation of anti-influenza virus nanobodies and their applications in nanobody-ELISA
Fei WANG ; Yuchang LI ; Sen ZHANG ; Yuehong CHEN ; Tao JIANG ; Shuhong MAO ; Xiaoping KANG
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(3):161-170
Objective To develop nanobodies with broad-spectrum reactivity,specificity,and high sensitivity that can be used for detecting multiple subtypes of influenza A virus,and to establish a nanobody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method.Methods Gene sequences of twelve nanobodies against influenza A virus were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)and nanobody databases.The nanoantibodies were prepared using molecular biological techniques including gene synthesis and recombinant expression.The binding activity,specificity,sensitivity,and affinity of these nanobodies were determined by ELISA screening and Gator affinity analysis.A double-antibody sandwich ELISA assay was established by combining the selected nanobody with a traditional mouse monoclonal antibody.Results Twelve nanobodies were expressed and purified.Two nanobodies capable of binding to multiple subtypes of influenza virus including H1,H3,H5,H7,and H9 were obtained and designated as VHH54 and KV108.Both nanobodies showed no cross-reactivity with other respiratory virus antigens.Furthermore,the KV108 nanobody exhibited the highest binding affinity,with a dissociation constant of 5.94×10-9mol/L for the influenza virus nucleoprotein(NP),and the lowest detection concentration for the NP antigen reached 0.00064 μg/mL.The double-antibody sandwich ELISA,using a combination of KV108 and a mouse monoclonal antibody,could sensitively detect the five common subtypes of influenza A virus(H1N1,H3N2,H5N1,H7N9,and H9N2).The lowest detection limit reached 110-403 PFU/mL,which was higher than that of the commercial colloidal gold kitfor influenza virus detection.Conclusion This study has identified a nanobody KV108,which is capable of binding to multiple subtypes of influenza virus,and established a nanobody-based ELISA method that can detect multiple subtypes of influenza A virus.This study can facilitate the development of nanobody-based influenza detection technologies.
6.Analysis of neuromedin U remodeling the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic tumors through Hedgehog signaling pathway
Yuchang WANG ; Yidan ZHANG ; Tianjiao HU ; Mingjia GAO ; Ning HAN ; Jiani ZHANG ; Rui ZHENG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(6):422-428
Objective:To construct an in situ pancreatic tumor model in mice and explore the mechanism of neuromedin U (NMU) remodeling the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic tumors via the Hedgehog signaling pathway.Methods:C57BL/6 NMU -/- heterozygous mice were bred in one cage with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1. The tail tissues of offspring rats were taken, and knockout primers were designed according to the sequence structure of NMU gene. The C57BL/6 NMU -/- mouse genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. Five C57BL/6 NMU -/- homozygotes and five wild type mice aged 8 to 9 weeks were selected, and Panc02 cell suspension of pancreatic cancer in logarithmic growth phase was injected into pancreatic tail tissue to construct tumor bearing mice model of pancreatic tumor in situ. After 3 weeks of tumor loading, flow cytometry was used to detect the abundance changes of CD8 + T cells in the spleen tissues of two groups of mice. GSE102238 (data published in August 2017) and GSE62452 (data published in July 2016) datasets were download from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including 119 samples of pancreatic cancer tissue and 111 samples of normal pancreatic tissue adjacent to cancer, and the differential expression factors of the two groups of samples were screened. R language limma package was used to analyze the differential expression of NMU mRNA in pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues; the relative expression level of NMU mRNA in pancreatic cancer patients of different ages and tumor grades was analyzed by ggpubr package. The relative expression level data of NMU mRNA in pancreatic tumor patients were extracted, and the patients were divided into high expression group (>2.48) and low expression group (<2.48) based on the median value (2.48). The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the difference in the content of infiltrating immune cells in pancreatic tumors between the two groups of patients. The overall survival of patients with different relative expression levels of NMU mRNA in the OncoLnc database (59 cases in the high expression group and 59 cases in the low expression group) was compared. The data of 178 patients with pancreatic cancer in TCGA-PAAD of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (updated in March 2024) were download. According to the median value of relative expression of NMU mRNA (2.740), the patients were divided into the high expression group (>2.740) and the low expression group (<2.740), with 89 cases in each group. GSEA software was used to analyze the biological functions and pathways in which the genes enriched significantly. The molecules and key targets for molecular docking were explored using the large molecule protein interaction tool PDBePISA. Spearman correlation analysis was performed using R language data packets. Results:The results of C57BL/6 NMU -/- mouse genotypes analyzed by using the gel electrophoresis pattern of PCR amplification products of tail tissues showed that the wild type was one 380 bp electrophoretic band, the homozygous type was one 450 bp electrophoretic band, and the heterozygous type was 450 bp and 380 bp electrophoretic bands. After identifying and screening pure strains mouse, reproduction was carried out, and C57BL/6 NMU -/- homozygous mice were successfully obtained. The results of flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of CD8 + T cells in the spleen tissues of C57BL/6 NMU -/- wild-type and homozygous pancreatic tumor bearing mice was (30.38±0.37)% and (37.00±0.48)%, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( t = 9.79, P < 0.001). The absolute values of CD8 + T cells were (8.36±0.27)×10 4 and (10.20±0.28)×10 4, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 3.71, P = 0.013). In the GEO database GSE102238 and GSE62452 datasets, there were differentially expressed genes in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues, including 219 up-regulated genes and 325 down-regulated genes in pancreatic cancer tissues; among them, NMU was an upregulated differentially expressed gene. The relative expression of NMU mRNA in patients aged > 65 year or grade G3-G4 was higher than that in patients aged ≤ 65 years or grade G1-G2, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). The analysis results of CIBERSORT algorithm showed that the expression abundance of CD8 + T cells, initial CD4 + T cells, activated memory CD4 + T cells, and γδ T cells in the high expression group of NMU was lower than that in the low expression group (all P < 0.05). The overall survival of the high expression group of NMU was worse than that of the low expression group in the OncoLnc database ( P = 0.010). GSEA enrichment analysis and Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant changes in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism, which affected tumor metabolic remodeling. Conclusions:NMU may remodel the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer by regulating Hedgehog signaling pathway.
7.Expressions of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP in peripheral blood of children with MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis and their significance
Yuchang YU ; Jiadong WANG ; Manfeng ZHANG ; Xiali CAO ; Hesheng LAI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(13):1964-1968
OBJECTIVE To explore the expressions of eosinophilic chemotactic factor 11(CCL11),leukotriene B4(LTB4),percentage of neutrophils(NEUT%)and C-reactive protein(CRP)in peripheral blood of the children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection complicated with plastic bronchitis and analyze the clinical signifi-cance.METHODS A total of 80 children with MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis who were trea-ted in the Second Hospital of Longyan City,Fujian Province from Jan.2020 to Dec.2023 were assigned as the study group,and 115 patients with MP pneumonia were chosen as the control group.The clinical data,manifesta-tions and Pediatric Risk of Mortality Ⅲ(PRISM Ⅲ)score were statistically analyzed.The levels of peripheral blood CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP were observed and compared between the two groups.Pearson analysis was performed for the associations of the levels of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP with the PRISM Ⅲscore.The value of the joint detection of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP in diagnosis of the MP pneumoni-a-induced plastic bronchitis was analyzed.RESULTS There were significant differences in reduction of bronchial breathing sound,pleural effusion and PRISM Ⅲ score between the two groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of peripheral blood CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP between the study group and the control group(P<0.05);the CRP level of the study group was(29.42±8.14)mg/L,higher than that of the control group(t=10.138,P<0.001).The levels of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP were positively correlated with the PRISM Ⅲ score(r=0.723,0.710,0.771,0.754,respectively,all P<0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of the single detection of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP was remarkably higher in diagnosis of MP pneumonia-induced plastic bronchitis than that of the joint detection of the four markers(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS The children with MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis show increased expressions of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP.The four markers are positively correlated with the PRISM Ⅲ score.The four markers have high values in diagnosis of the MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis.
8.Expressions of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP in peripheral blood of children with MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis and their significance
Yuchang YU ; Jiadong WANG ; Manfeng ZHANG ; Xiali CAO ; Hesheng LAI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(13):1964-1968
OBJECTIVE To explore the expressions of eosinophilic chemotactic factor 11(CCL11),leukotriene B4(LTB4),percentage of neutrophils(NEUT%)and C-reactive protein(CRP)in peripheral blood of the children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection complicated with plastic bronchitis and analyze the clinical signifi-cance.METHODS A total of 80 children with MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis who were trea-ted in the Second Hospital of Longyan City,Fujian Province from Jan.2020 to Dec.2023 were assigned as the study group,and 115 patients with MP pneumonia were chosen as the control group.The clinical data,manifesta-tions and Pediatric Risk of Mortality Ⅲ(PRISM Ⅲ)score were statistically analyzed.The levels of peripheral blood CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP were observed and compared between the two groups.Pearson analysis was performed for the associations of the levels of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP with the PRISM Ⅲscore.The value of the joint detection of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP in diagnosis of the MP pneumoni-a-induced plastic bronchitis was analyzed.RESULTS There were significant differences in reduction of bronchial breathing sound,pleural effusion and PRISM Ⅲ score between the two groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of peripheral blood CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP between the study group and the control group(P<0.05);the CRP level of the study group was(29.42±8.14)mg/L,higher than that of the control group(t=10.138,P<0.001).The levels of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP were positively correlated with the PRISM Ⅲ score(r=0.723,0.710,0.771,0.754,respectively,all P<0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of the single detection of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP was remarkably higher in diagnosis of MP pneumonia-induced plastic bronchitis than that of the joint detection of the four markers(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS The children with MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis show increased expressions of CCL11,LTB4,NEUT%and CRP.The four markers are positively correlated with the PRISM Ⅲ score.The four markers have high values in diagnosis of the MP pneumonia complicated with plastic bronchitis.
9.Analysis of neuromedin U remodeling the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic tumors through Hedgehog signaling pathway
Yuchang WANG ; Yidan ZHANG ; Tianjiao HU ; Mingjia GAO ; Ning HAN ; Jiani ZHANG ; Rui ZHENG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(6):422-428
Objective:To construct an in situ pancreatic tumor model in mice and explore the mechanism of neuromedin U (NMU) remodeling the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic tumors via the Hedgehog signaling pathway.Methods:C57BL/6 NMU -/- heterozygous mice were bred in one cage with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1. The tail tissues of offspring rats were taken, and knockout primers were designed according to the sequence structure of NMU gene. The C57BL/6 NMU -/- mouse genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. Five C57BL/6 NMU -/- homozygotes and five wild type mice aged 8 to 9 weeks were selected, and Panc02 cell suspension of pancreatic cancer in logarithmic growth phase was injected into pancreatic tail tissue to construct tumor bearing mice model of pancreatic tumor in situ. After 3 weeks of tumor loading, flow cytometry was used to detect the abundance changes of CD8 + T cells in the spleen tissues of two groups of mice. GSE102238 (data published in August 2017) and GSE62452 (data published in July 2016) datasets were download from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including 119 samples of pancreatic cancer tissue and 111 samples of normal pancreatic tissue adjacent to cancer, and the differential expression factors of the two groups of samples were screened. R language limma package was used to analyze the differential expression of NMU mRNA in pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues; the relative expression level of NMU mRNA in pancreatic cancer patients of different ages and tumor grades was analyzed by ggpubr package. The relative expression level data of NMU mRNA in pancreatic tumor patients were extracted, and the patients were divided into high expression group (>2.48) and low expression group (<2.48) based on the median value (2.48). The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the difference in the content of infiltrating immune cells in pancreatic tumors between the two groups of patients. The overall survival of patients with different relative expression levels of NMU mRNA in the OncoLnc database (59 cases in the high expression group and 59 cases in the low expression group) was compared. The data of 178 patients with pancreatic cancer in TCGA-PAAD of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (updated in March 2024) were download. According to the median value of relative expression of NMU mRNA (2.740), the patients were divided into the high expression group (>2.740) and the low expression group (<2.740), with 89 cases in each group. GSEA software was used to analyze the biological functions and pathways in which the genes enriched significantly. The molecules and key targets for molecular docking were explored using the large molecule protein interaction tool PDBePISA. Spearman correlation analysis was performed using R language data packets. Results:The results of C57BL/6 NMU -/- mouse genotypes analyzed by using the gel electrophoresis pattern of PCR amplification products of tail tissues showed that the wild type was one 380 bp electrophoretic band, the homozygous type was one 450 bp electrophoretic band, and the heterozygous type was 450 bp and 380 bp electrophoretic bands. After identifying and screening pure strains mouse, reproduction was carried out, and C57BL/6 NMU -/- homozygous mice were successfully obtained. The results of flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of CD8 + T cells in the spleen tissues of C57BL/6 NMU -/- wild-type and homozygous pancreatic tumor bearing mice was (30.38±0.37)% and (37.00±0.48)%, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( t = 9.79, P < 0.001). The absolute values of CD8 + T cells were (8.36±0.27)×10 4 and (10.20±0.28)×10 4, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 3.71, P = 0.013). In the GEO database GSE102238 and GSE62452 datasets, there were differentially expressed genes in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues, including 219 up-regulated genes and 325 down-regulated genes in pancreatic cancer tissues; among them, NMU was an upregulated differentially expressed gene. The relative expression of NMU mRNA in patients aged > 65 year or grade G3-G4 was higher than that in patients aged ≤ 65 years or grade G1-G2, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). The analysis results of CIBERSORT algorithm showed that the expression abundance of CD8 + T cells, initial CD4 + T cells, activated memory CD4 + T cells, and γδ T cells in the high expression group of NMU was lower than that in the low expression group (all P < 0.05). The overall survival of the high expression group of NMU was worse than that of the low expression group in the OncoLnc database ( P = 0.010). GSEA enrichment analysis and Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant changes in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism, which affected tumor metabolic remodeling. Conclusions:NMU may remodel the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer by regulating Hedgehog signaling pathway.
10.Role of inflammatory factors in diabetic ulcers and prospects of traditional Chinese medicine intervention
Yuchang ZHANG ; Xiang CHEN ; Bo HE ; Shenghua LI ; Xiangqian MU ; Weiqiang SUN ; Li ZHANG ; Jie CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(34):5544-5551
BACKGROUND:Diabetic ulcers are a common complication of diabetes mellitus,which is manifested as foot ulcers complicated with infection,long treatment cycle,high disability rate and mortality rate,and brings a heavy burden to patients and social care. OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of action and the latest treatment progress of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of diabetic ulcers,and to provide a basis for further theoretical research and clinical application. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of"diabetic ulcer,medicinal herb,inflammation,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor,hypersensitive C-reactive protein,γ-interferon,interleukin-4,interleukin-10"in Chinese and English,respectively.The relevant literature in recent years was searched,and finally 75 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The high glucose environment of the body will increase the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines,so that diabetic ulcer wounds are in a state of chronic inflammatory response for a long time,and difficult to heal or even not heal.TCM has summed up a lot of experience in the long-term struggle with diabetic ulcer.At present,TCM divides diabetic ulcers into four syndrome types:dampness and heat poison syndrome,blood and blood stasis obstruction pattern,heat poison injury Yin pattern,and Qi and blood deficiency syndrome,as well as representative prescriptions for treatment.According to their clinical characteristics,diabetic ulcers can be also divided into three stages:primary,middle and late stages.Different treatment methods are proposed:"clear method,""warm and clear combined use"and"maintenance method."Under the guidance of dialectical typing and staging of TCM,TCM monomers,extracts and compounds inhibit the inflammatory response and promote the healing of diabetic ulcers by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and/or up-regulating the expression of anti-inflammatory factors.Compared with modern medicine,TCM has significant advantages in the treatment of diabetic ulcers.There are many TCM monomers,extracts and compounds for the treatment of diabetic ulcers,such as angelica,curcumin,improved Chonghe ointment,Sanhuang blood exhaustion prescription and sore-ulcer I.formula,etc.It has been found that TCM for the treatment of diabetic ulcers is mainly heat-clearing and detoxifying,invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,and amassing sores and muscle-building drugs,and the frequency of use,treatment scope and therapeutic effect of TCM compounds are obviously better than those of TCM monomers and extracts.Among them,the most commonly used are the Sanhuang blood exhaustion prescription and the sore-ulcer I as well as prescription for the treatment of damp heat toxicity syndrome and Zizhu ointment for the treatment of non-ischemic diabetic ulcers.However,there are also some shortcomings in the treatment of diabetic ulcers with TCM.First,there are few clinical syndrome studies on diabetic ulcers.Secondly,there are a wide variety of TCM monomers,extracts and compounds for the treatment of diabetic ulcers,and the relevant research is insufficiently in-depth.Finally,the research on the mechanism underlying TCM treatment of diabetic ulcers is still in the preliminary exploration stage,and the mechanism of action still needs to be further explored.In the future,it is necessary to strengthen the research on the pharmacology of TCM and the clinical syndrome of diabetic ulcers,analyze the potential targets and related signaling pathways of TCM in the treatment of diabetic ulcers,give full play to the therapeutic advantages of TCM with multiple targets,multiple pathways,multiple levels and multiple systems,and develop TCM with significant efficacy,active ingredients and clear targets.

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