1.Relationship of screen time and sleep duration with screening myopia among junior and senior high school students
CHEN Xinyi, WANG Yun, ZENG Xia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):430-433
Objective:
To explore the relationship of screen time and sleep duration with screening myopia among junior and senior high school students, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and control of myopia among students.
Methods:
From March to October 2024, 429 junior and senior high school students from a district of Guangzhou were selected using stratified cluster random sampling method. Standardized logarithmic visual acuity chart was used for vision assessment, while Questionnaire for the Physical Health Monitoring System of Students in Guangzhou was employed to collect students screen time and sleep duration. The Chi square test was used to compare differences across different groups, and binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to analyze the association of screen time and sleep duration with screening myopia.
Results:
The overall prevalence of screening myopia was 79.5%, with significant differences across educational stage, sex, screen time and sleep duration groups( χ 2=41.64, 9.75, 23.89 , 8.17, all P <0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared to the high screen time & insufficient sleep group, the low screen & sufficient sleep group ( OR=0.25, 95%CI =0.09-0.68), the low screen & insufficient sleep group ( OR= 0.27 , 95%CI =0.13-0.56), and the high screen & sufficient sleep group ( OR=0.26, 95%CI =0.10-0.70) exhibited significantly lower screening myopia risks (all P <0.05). After adjusting for sex and educational stage, low screen time & insufficient sleep was significantly associated with screening myopia ( OR=0.48, 95%CI =0.23-0.98); the multiplicative interaction term was statistically significant ( OR=0.99,95%CI =0.98-1.00)(both P <0.05).
Conclusion
The interaction effect between screen time and sleep duration in relation to screening myopia suggests a need to focus on daily routines and screen use habits among junior and senior high school students for ensuring sufficient sleep and limiting screen exposure.
2.Association between specific-frequency vibration and ferroptosis-related indicators in vascular endothelial cells
Siheng WU ; Hongyu YANG ; Kanshou ZHOU ; Fanfei ZENG ; Qingsong CHEN ; Yun XIA
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):278-285
Background Prolonged vibration exposure can lead to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and cellular injury. However, research on the association between vibration and ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells remains insufficient. Objective To explore whether occupational vibration exposure is associated with alterations in serum markers related to ferroptosis in patients with hand-arm vibration disease (HAVD), and to further investigate, through in vitro cell experiments, whether vibration exposure may induce ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells. Methods ①A judgmental sampling method was employed to select 50 workers with HAVD (the HAVD group), 50 vibration-exposed workers without HAVD (the vibration exposure group), and 50 non–hand-transmitted vibration-exposed workers (the control group). Serum iron levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured using serum iron assay kits, MDA detection kits, and SOD detection kits, respectively. One-way analysis of variance and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the relationships between these indicators and HAVD. ②Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were divided into a vibration group and a control group. The vibration group was subjected to vibration at 120 Hz with an acceleration of 6.5 m·s−2 and further subdivided into four subgroups: 1 d 2 h, 1 d 4 h, 2 d 2 h, and 2 d 4 h. The control group was treated identically except for vibration exposure. Cellular iron (Fe2+) content and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in HUVEC were measured using ferrous iron colorimetric assay kits and GSH colorimetric assay kits, respectively, to assess the effects of different vibration exposure schedules. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes, including acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), tumor suppressor protein P53 (P53), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the protein expression levels of ferroptosis-related markers in HUVEC. Results ①Compared with the control group, the patients in the HAVD group showed increased serum iron and MDA levels, along with decreased SOD levels (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis indicated that elevated serum iron levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of HAVD (OR=4.034; 95%CI: 2.063, 7.887), and elevated MDA levels were also associated with an increased risk of HAVD (OR=1.523; 95%CI: 1.026, 1.936). ②Compared with the control group, increased intracellular Fe2+ content and decreased GSH content were observed in HUVECs in the 1 d 4 h and 2 d 4 h vibration subgroups (P<0.05). The RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the control group, vibration exposures of 1 d 4 h and 2 d 4 h significantly upregulated the expression of ACSL4 and P53 (P<0.05), whereas the mRNA expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were downregulated in all vibration-exposed endothelial cells (P<0.05). The Western blot results revealed that, compared with the control group, the vibration exposure schedules of 1 d 2 h and 1 d 4 h significantly upregulated the protein expression levels of ACSL4 and P53 (P<0.05), while the vibration exposure schedules of 1 d 4 h, 2 d 2 h, and 2 d 4 h significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational vibration exposure is associated with alterations in iron metabolism and oxidative stress status in workers with HAVD. The in vitro experiments further demonstrates that vibration stimulation induces intracellular iron accumulation and reduces antioxidant capacity in vascular endothelial cells, accompanied by dysregulated expression of ferroptosis-related molecules. These findings suggest that ferroptosis may play a role in vibration-induced vascular injury and the pathogenesis of HAVD.
3.Development and exploration of a closed-loop management model for externally dispensed intravenous prescriptions
Xuhua XIE ; Yun WU ; Songqing HUANG ; Yukun HUANG ; Siyan CHEN ; Zheng ZENG ; Weiyan TANG ; Zuolong HE ; Chunxia ZHOU ; Hongliang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1246-1250
OBJECTIVE To construct a closed-loop management model for externally dispensed intravenous prescriptions, and to provide reference for standardized management of externally dispensed intravenous prescriptions. METHODS Based on the Expert Consensus on Closed-loop Management of Externally Dispensed Intravenous Prescriptions in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region previously formulated by our hospital, risk points during the entire process were systematically identified through multidisciplinary team brainstorming and a fishbone diagram. A series of strategies were subsequently formulated and implemented, including qualifying designated external dispensing pharmacies and the drug catalogs, operating and maintaining the hospital information system and the Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Service (PIVAS) intelligent management platform, and strengthening differentiated training for staff in the whole workflow. A whole-process closed-loop management system was constructed with PIVAS as the co re hub and the daytime chemotherapy center as the safety terminal. RESULTS A total of 3 cooperating pharmacies and an initial drug list comprising 35 product specifications were selected. A closed‑loop management process encompassing hospital outpatient prescribing, patient drug purchase in designated pharmacies, PIVAS drug dispensing, and medication use in daytime chemotherapy center was successfully established. This system enabled the mandatory grouping and association of externally dispensed intravenous prescriptions with in-hospital diluents, full-process verification based on drug traceability codes, intelligent monitoring of infusion parameters, and whole-process data traceability. CONCLUSIONS The constructed model effectively resolves the coordination and safety oversight during the use of externally dispensed intravenous drugs from out-of-hospital circulation to in-hospital use, and has preliminarily enabled procedural standardization, whole-process information traceability, and proactive control of medication risks.
4.Evaluation of effect of CpG adjuvant on the immunogenicity of acellular pertussis vaccine
Chinese Journal of Biologicals 2026;39(05):534-539
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the novel adjuvant CpG on the immune response to a component acellular pertussis vaccine(aPV) in mice.MethodsVaccine formulations were prepared with either aluminum hydroxide adjuvant alone or a composite adjuvant containing CpG plus aluminum hydroxide, each adsorbed with high and low doses of pertussis toxoid(PTd), filamentous hemagglutinin(FHA) and pertactin(PRN) antigens. For immunogenicity assessment, five female CD1 mice were immunized intraperitoneally on day 0. Serum was collected on day 28 to measure antigen-specific antibody levels against PTd, FHA and PRN. In a separate experiment to assess antibody isotypes, five female CD1 mice were immunized intraperitoneally on day 0 and given a booster on day 14. Serum was collected on day 28 to measure IgG1 and IgG2a antibody titers. Twenty NIH mice were immunized by intraperitoneal injection, half male and half female. Vaccine efficacy was assessed using the mice challenged intracerebrally with Bordetella pertussis(8 × 10~4/0. 03 mL) 21 days postimmunization. The survival of mice was recorded over a 14-day observation period, and the qualitative reaction parallel line method were used to calculate the vaccine titers.ResultsIn the low-dose composite adjuvant group, the serum levels of antiPTd, anti-FHA, and anti-PRN specific antibodies in mice were all elevated compared to the single adjuvant group(P =0. 038 9, 0. 002 1 and 0. 008 9, respectively), while in the high-dose composite adjuvant group, only the anti-PRN specific antibody level increased(P = 0. 017 9). The PTd-, FHA-, and PRN-specific antibody IgG1/IgG2a ratios in both the low-and high-dose composite adjuvant groups were significantly lower than those in the single adjuvant group(P = 0. 036 9 and0. 003 0, 0. 012 5 and 0. 003 6, 0. 017 5 and 0. 032 5, respectively), suggesting a shift in the immune response from a Th2-biased to a Th1-biased cellular immune response. The composite adjuvant formulation could enhance the potency of the component aPV.ConclusionThe CpG adjuvant can enhance the humoral immune response and induce a cellular immune response to the component pertussis vaccine, thereby improving its protective potency, which suggests its potential application in booster vaccines for adolescents and adults, such as DTaP.
5.Mechanisms and Clinical Research Advances of Curcumin in Modulation of Hyperlipidemia
Zhijun ZENG ; Wenjie LU ; Xiaoxue MA ; Yanhua JI ; Yun TONG ; Siyu LING ; Yue ZENG ; Chao LE ; Shaohua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):325-334
Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder driven by dysregulated lipid metabolism, whose pathological progression involves multifaceted interactions across various signaling pathways, including disrupted cholesterol homeostasis, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Although existing clinical medications such as statins can effectively reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol through single-target inhibition, significant limitations remain in comprehensively improving reverse cholesterol transport, metabolic inflammation, and coordinated regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Curcumin, the primary polyphenolic active compound derived from the traditional medicinal herb turmeric, exhibits multi-dimensional pharmacological effects including modulation of lipid metabolism, improvement of insulin sensitivity, suppression of inflammatory responses, and enhancement of antioxidant defense. This review systematically integrates the multi-target regulatory network of curcumin, elucidating its key mechanisms: Balancing the low density lipoprotein receptor/proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (LDLR/PCSK9) signaling pathway to promote reverse cholesterol transport, activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) signaling pathways to coordinate glucolipid metabolic homeostasis, remodeling the gut microbiota-bile acid axis, inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-mediated inflammatory responses, and activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) antioxidant signaling pathway. Furthermore, supported by clinical research data, the review validates curcumin's therapeutic potential in reducing total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels, increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), as well as improving vascular endothelial function and insulin sensitivity. The study highlights the multi-target regulatory properties of curcumin and discusses future clinical applications based on nano-delivery systems and personalized treatment strategies, providing a theoretical basis and novel insights for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and related metabolic disorders.
6.Mechanism of Wendantang in Intervention of ApoE-/- Hyperlipidemic Mice Based on Liver Metabolomics
Yun ZHOU ; Songren YU ; Lu ZHANG ; Wenting LIN ; Keming YU ; Min XIA ; Zhijun ZENG ; Yanhua JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):1-9
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of action of Wendantang on ApoE-/- hyperlipidemic mice using non-targeted metabolomics technology. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice served as the normal control group (n=6), and they were fed with regular chow, while male ApoE-/- mice constituted the high-fat group (n=30), and they were fed with a 60% high-fat diet. After 11 weeks of model establishment, the mice in the high-fat group were randomly divided into the model group, simvastatin group (3.3 mg·kg-1), and high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of Wendantang (26, 13, 6.5 g·kg-1, respectively, in terms of crude drug amount), with six mice in each group. The normal control group and the model group were gavaged with an equivalent volume of normal saline, and all groups continued to be fed their respective diets, receiving daily medication for 10 weeks with weekly body weight measurements. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), free fatty acids (NEFA), blood glucose (GLU), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected in the mice. Pathological changes in liver tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed for metabolomic analysis of mouse liver tissue. ResultsCompared to the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased body weight, blood lipid levels, and liver function (P<0.05, P<0.01), with disordered liver tissue structure, swollen hepatocytes, and accompanying vacuolar fatty degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the model group, the simvastatin group and Wendantang groups showed significantly reduced body weight, TG, NEFA, GLU, ALT, and AST levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), with a significant increase in HDL-C levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. The lesion of the liver tissue section was obviously improved after administration, tending towards a normal liver tissue morphology. Analysis of liver metabolites revealed 86 differential metabolites between the normal control group and the model group, with the high-dose group of Wendantang able to regulate 56 of these metabolites. Twenty-two differential metabolites associated with hyperlipidemia were identified, mainly including chenodeoxycholic acid, hyocholic acid, taurine, glycocholic acid, dihydroceramide, hydroxy sphingomyelin C14∶1, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid, enriching 22 metabolic pathways, with 4 being the most significant (P<0.05), namely primary bile acid biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and linoleic acid metabolism pathways. ConclusionWendantang can improve blood lipid levels and liver function in ApoE-/- hyperlipidemic mice, which may be related to the regulation of primary bile acid biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and linoleic acid metabolism pathways.
7.2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via PINK1/LETM1 Signaling Pathway
Hongyu ZENG ; Kaimei TAN ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Ziyang ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Yuhong WANG ; Xiuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):145-154
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside (THSG) mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham, model, SAS (40 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium- and high-dose (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1, respectively) THSG groups, with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring, and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), autophagy-associated protein p62, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 (Caspase-9), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited increased infarct volume (P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.01), neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. (P<0.01), mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation, decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.01), downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.05), weakened PC12 viability (P<0.01), and elevated mitochondrial calcium level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes (P<0.05,P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.05,P<0.01), mitigated mitochondrial damage, and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01). Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage, increased Nissl bodies (P<0.05,P<0.01), downregulated the protein levels of p62, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.05,P<0.01), and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level (P<0.05,P<0.01). High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability (P<0.01), increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), and reduced mitochondrial calcium (P<0.01). ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway, reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload, and promoting mitophagy.
8.2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via PINK1/LETM1 Signaling Pathway
Hongyu ZENG ; Kaimei TAN ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Ziyang ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Yuhong WANG ; Xiuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):145-154
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside (THSG) mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham, model, SAS (40 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium- and high-dose (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1, respectively) THSG groups, with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring, and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), autophagy-associated protein p62, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 (Caspase-9), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited increased infarct volume (P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.01), neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. (P<0.01), mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation, decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.01), downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.05), weakened PC12 viability (P<0.01), and elevated mitochondrial calcium level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes (P<0.05,P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.05,P<0.01), mitigated mitochondrial damage, and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01). Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage, increased Nissl bodies (P<0.05,P<0.01), downregulated the protein levels of p62, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.05,P<0.01), and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level (P<0.05,P<0.01). High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability (P<0.01), increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), and reduced mitochondrial calcium (P<0.01). ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway, reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload, and promoting mitophagy.
9.Effect of Berberine-Baicalin Combination on Fecal Microbiota Transplantation-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Due to Internal Accumulation of Dampness-heat in Mice from Perspectives of Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics
Mengjie CHEN ; Yimin LIU ; Yun ZHOU ; Keming YU ; Min XIA ; Hongning LIU ; Yanhua JI ; Zhijun ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):52-64
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which the combination of berberine (BBR) and baicalin (BAI) ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat from the perspectives of gut microbiota and metabolomics. MethodsAntibiotics were used to induce pseudo-sterile mice. Thirty pseudo-sterile mice were randomized into a normal fecal microbiota transplantation group (n=10) and a T2DM (syndrome of internal accumulation of dampness-heat) fecal microbiota transplantation group (n=20). The mice were then administrated with suspensions of fecal microbiota from healthy volunteers and a patient with T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by gavage, respectively. Each mouse received 200 µL suspension every other day for a total of 15 times to reshape the gut microbiota. The T2DM model mice were then assigned into a model group (n=8) and a BBR-BAI group (n=11). BBR was administrated at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1, and BAI was administrated in a ratio of BBR-BAI 10∶1 based on preliminary research findings. The administration lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin (INS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured to evaluate the effects of the BBR-BAI combination on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in T2DM mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the colon tissue. The expression of claudin-1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin in the colon tissue was determined by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to assess the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the colon tissue. The fecal microbiota composition and differential metabolites were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), respectively. ResultsThe BBR-BAI combination lowered the FBG, HbA1c, and INS levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated insulin resistance (P<0.01) in T2DM mice. Additionally, BBR-BAI elevated the levels of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the colon (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that BBR-BAI increased the relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Phascolarctobacterium, and Akkermansia (P<0.05), while significantly decreasing the relative abundance of Alistipes, Odoribacter, and Colidextribacter (P<0.05). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 28 differential metabolites, which were primarily involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and α-linolenic acid metabolism. ConclusionBBR-BAI can ameliorate T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by modulating the relative abundance of various bacterial genera in the gut microbiota and the expression of fecal metabolites.
10.Rutaecarpine Attenuates Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Gouty Inflammation via Inhibition of TNFR-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathways.
Min LI ; Zhu-Jun YIN ; Li LI ; Yun-Yun QUAN ; Ting WANG ; Xin ZHU ; Rui-Rong TAN ; Jin ZENG ; Hua HUA ; Qin-Xuan WU ; Jun-Ning ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):590-599
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro.
METHODS:
In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets.
RESULTS:
RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding.
CONCLUSION
RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals
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NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Male
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Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Inflammation/complications*
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Uric Acid
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Quinazolines/therapeutic use*
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
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Humans
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Gout/chemically induced*
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Inflammasomes/metabolism*
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Cytokines/metabolism*
;
THP-1 Cells
;
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice
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Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Quinazolinones


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