ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang （WDD） on mice with ischemic heart disease （IHD） presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group， WDD low-dose group （WDD-L）， WDD medium-dose group （WDD-M）， WDD high-dose group （WDD-H）， and atorvastatin calcium tablet group， with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91， 17.81， 35.62 g·kg^-1， and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg^-1， twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration， the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （pro-BNP） content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group， model serum group， WDD-L drug-containing serum group， WDD-M drug-containing serum group， and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group， the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index （P0.01）， significantly decreased fractional shortening （FS） （P0.01）， and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter （LVDD） and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter （LVDS） （P0.01）. Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated （P0.01）， and whole-blood viscosity （BV） at high， medium， and low shear rates was significantly increased （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index （P0.05， P0.01）， significantly increased FS （P0.05， P0.01）， significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS （P0.01）， markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology， significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration， significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels （P0.01）， and significantly decreased BV at high， medium， and low shear rates （P0.01）， with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group （P0.05， P0.01）， while HDL levels were significantly decreased （P0.05）. After WDD-H treatment， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice （P0.05， P0.01）. Compared with the sham-operation group， classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group （P0.01）， whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased （P0.01）. After WDD administration， all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated （P0.05， P0.01）， with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro， compared with the blank group， CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group （P0.01）， and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells （P0.01）. Compared with the model serum group， all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation （P0.01）. WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines （P0.05， P0.01）， with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang （WDD） on mice with ischemic heart disease （IHD） presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group， WDD low-dose group （WDD-L）， WDD medium-dose group （WDD-M）， WDD high-dose group （WDD-H）， and atorvastatin calcium tablet group， with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91， 17.81， 35.62 g·kg^-1， and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg^-1， twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration， the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （pro-BNP） content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group， model serum group， WDD-L drug-containing serum group， WDD-M drug-containing serum group， and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group， the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index （P<0.01）， significantly decreased fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.01）， and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter （LVDD） and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter （LVDS） （P<0.01）. Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and whole-blood viscosity （BV） at high， medium， and low shear rates was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly increased FS （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS （P<0.01）， markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology， significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration， significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased BV at high， medium， and low shear rates （P<0.01）， with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while HDL levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. After WDD-H treatment， TC， TG， and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham-operation group， classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）， whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. After WDD administration， all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro， compared with the blank group， CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group （P<0.01）， and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the model serum group， all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation （P<0.01）. WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Jianpi Xiaoai prescription （JPXA） in ameliorating the 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） resistance of colon cancer. MethodsA HCT116/5-FU resistant cell line was established. Different concentrations （10%， 15%， 20%） of JPXA-containing serum and drug-free serum were used for intervention， and 10% fetal bovine serum （10% FBS）， fibroblast growth factor receptor （FGFR） inhibitor （AZD4547）， and recombinant fibroblast growth factor 2 （FGF2） were set as the control groups. Sensitive HCT116 cells were used in the FGF2 group， while HCT116/5-FU cells were used in other groups. Drug resistance， the level of FGF2 in the cell culture medium， the mRNA level of FGF2 in cells， and the protein levels of FGF2/FGFR and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） were determined. The drug-resistant cells were transplanted into the axilla of nude mice to establish a tumor model. The modeled mice were allocated into model， JPXA （15 g·kg^-1）， 5-FU （0.02 g·kg^-1）， JPXA+5-FU （15 g·kg^-1+0.02 g·kg^-1）， AZD4547 （0.012 5 g·kg^-1）， and AZD4547+5-FU （0.012 5 g·kg^-1+0.02 g·kg^-1） groups. The tumor growth and the protein levels of FGF/FGFR and PI3K/Akt in each group were observed. ResultsThe survival rate of HCT116/5-FU cells decreased in all the JPXA groups with different concentrations. The cell survival rate was decreased most obviously in the 20% JPXA group. The level of FGF2 in the cell culture medium and the mRNA level of FGF2 in cells of each JXPA group decreased， and the decrease was the most significant in the 20% group （P<0.01）. HCT116/5-FU cells showed up-regulated protein levels of FGF2 and phosphorylated fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 （p-FGFR1）， but down-regulated protein level of FGFR1 （P<0.01）. JPXA down-regulated the expression of FGF2 and p-FGFR1 and up-regulated the expression of FGFR1 （P<0.05）. In addition， JPXA down-regulated the expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt） and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， while up-regulating the expression levels of Akt and Bcl-2-asociated death promoter （Bad） （P<0.05）. Animal experiments showed that the JPXA combined with 5-FU significantly inhibited the growth of drug-resistant tumors， reduced the protein levels of FGF2， p-FGFR1， phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （p-PI3K）， p-Akt， and p-mTOR， and increased the expression of Bad. It indicated that JPXA can inhibit the FGF2/FGFR1 signaling in colon cancer and regulate PI3K/Akt and downstream signaling pathways. ConclusionJPXA can ameliorate the chemotherapy resistance of colon cancer through down-regulating FGF2 expression and inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to investigate the changes in brain functional connectivity in default mode network (DMN) and medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions. MethodsLiteratures were retrieved from multiple databases including CNKI, PubMed, Medline, and Embase, etc. from January, 2020 to October, 2025, investigating the changes in functional connectivity of DMN and MTL in patients with MCI compared to health control (HC) using rs-fMRI. Two researchers independently screened and extracted the literatures and methodological quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. Review Manager 5.4 was used to perform a meta-analysis of neuroimaging indicators in MCI patients and HC subjects. Stata and SDM were utilized to summarize diagnostic efficacy and brain functional connectivity, calculating the over all sensitivity, specificity and summary receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (SROC-AUC). Deeks funnel plots were drawn, literature weights were analyzed, and subgroup analyses were conducted. ResultsA total of ten literatures were ultimately included, involving 1 010 patients with MCI and 1 714 HC subjects. MCI patients showed decreased or abnormal blood oxygen level dependence signals in DMN, focusing on bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex. The SROC-AUC was 0.91. In MTL, there was a characteristic decrease of spontaneous neural functional connectivities between the hippocampus and other regions, reflecting the obstruction of information transmission from episodic memory to the central nodes. Abnormal functional connectivity in DMN and MTL resulted in compensatory resting-state functional connectivity enhancement in other subnetworks or local functional connections, such as frontoparietal network and the hippocampal-parietal network. Abnormal activation of mPFC suggested atrophy of the hippocampus or abnormal brain function. The decline in functional connectivity between DMN and MTL indicated impairment of memory and information processing in the early stage. ConclusionThe early functional decoupling between DMN and MTL is a crucial neural mechanism at the MCI stage of AD, providing important neuroimaging evidence for the early diagnosis of AD.

By reviewing modern research and integrating clinical practice， this paper interprets the correlation between "deep heat， deep syncope" and the "macrocirculation-microcirculation" uncoupling in sepsis， alongside its clinical applications in sepsis prevention and treatment. It is considered that "deep heat" corresponds to peripheral vasodilation and the hypermetabolic state at the macrocirculation level， whereas "deep syncope" manifests as hypoperfusion and impaired oxygen utilization at the microcirculation level. These two states interact detrimentally， forming the core contradiction of macrocirculation-microcirculation uncoupling in sepsis. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） connotations of "deep heat， deep syncope" and modern medical research， this paper elucidates the systemic pathological evolution of sepsis from the inflammatory cascade to impaired oxygen utilization. Accordingly， the following therapeutic principles are proposed. In the early stage， it is suggested to clear heat and drain fire to vent the constrained yang. In the progressive stage， the focus is put on unblocking the lower jiao （焦） and expelling stasis to dredge the vessels and collaterals. In the recovery stage， the method of regulating and harmonizing yin and yang can be used to smooth the flow of qi and blood.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） through regulating the Golgi protein 73 （GP73）/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） signaling pathway and modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）. MethodA mouse model of CAG was induced by multiple factors， including ranitidine， N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， and irregular feeding. The CAG mice were randomized into five groups： model， Morodan （2.0 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose （7.6， 3.8， 1.9 g·kg^-1， respectively） Xianglian Huazhuo prescription， with 10 mice in each group. At the same time， 10 mice in normal group were set up. The mice in the Morodan group and the high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose groups of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the normal group and the model group were administrated with an equal volume of normal saline. All the mice were intervened once a day for 60 consecutive days. After the last administration， the overall morphological changes of the gastric tissue were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） were used to evaluate the pathological morphology and the endoplasmic reticulum ultrastructure in the gastric tissue. The serum levels of pepsinogen Ⅰ （PGⅠ）， pepsinogen Ⅱ （PGⅡ）， gastrin-17 （G-17）， and GP73 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The pepsinogen ratio （PGR， PGⅠ/PGⅡ） was calculated. The protein levels of GP73， PERK， phosphorylated （p）-PERK， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， ATF4， CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-12 （Caspase-12）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） were assessed by Western blot. The expression of GRP78 was detected by immunofluorescence （IF） assay， and the location of Bcl-2 and Bax by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed pale gastric mucosa with flattened folds and reduced and loosely arranged gastric mucosal glands， declined serum levels of PGI， PGR， G-17， and GP73 （P<0.01）. downregulated protein levels of GP73， p-PERK， ATF4， GRP78， CHOP， Caspase-12， and Bax in the gastric tissue， and upregulated protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Morodan group and each Xianglian Huazhuo prescription group exhibited red gastric mucosa with increased folds， alleviated pathological damage， swelling endoplasmic reticulum， elevated serum levels of PGI， G-17， and GP73 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated protein levels of Caspase-12 and Bax and downregulated protein level of Bcl-2 in the gastric tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The Morodan group and the high-dose and medium-dose Xianglian Huazhuo prescription groups exhibited increased serum level of PGR （P<0.05， P<0.01） and upregulated protein levels of GP73， p-PERK， ATF4， GRP78， and CHOP in the gastric tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription can activate the GP73/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway and induce ERS-mediated apoptosis to alleviate the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa， thereby demonstrating a protective effect against CAG in mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） through regulating glycolysis via the microRNA-34b-5p （miR-34b-5p）/6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 1 （PFKFB1） signaling pathway. MethodsBioinformatic screening was performed to identify the target genes of miR-34b-5p. In the animal experiments， a mouse model of CAG was established through a combination of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， ranitidine， and irregular feeding. The mice were randomized into the following groups： normal， model， Morodan group （2 g·kg^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose XLHZ groups（7.2，3.8，1.9 g·kg^-1）. In the cell experiments， GES-1 cells were treated with MNNG for the modeling of CAG and grouped as follows： GES-1， MNNG+GES-1， MNNG+GES-1+XLHZ（10%）， MNNG+GES-1+miR-34b-5p mimics， MNNG+GES-1+miR-34b-5p inhibitor， MNNG+GES-1+PFKFB1 inhibitor， and MNNG+GES-1+PFKFB1 mimics+XLHZ（10%）. The general conditions of mice were observed. Real-time PCR was adopted to measure the expression levels of miRNA-34b-5p and PFKFB1 mRNA in the gastric mucosa of mice in each group. Dual luciferase reporter gene was used to verify the targeting interaction between miR-34b-5p and PFKFB1 in GES-1 cells exposed to MNNG. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to screen the drug-containing serum concentration. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the transfection efficiency. Fluorescent probes were used to detect the expression and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） in each group of cells. The protein levels of HIF-1α， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， PFKFB1， phosphofructokinase 1 （PFK1）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDHA） in the gastric mucosa of mice were determined by Western blot. The levels of glucose consumption and lactate in the serum and cells were measured by biochemical methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to measure the content of adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in the gastric mucosa tissue and cells. ResultsThe animal experiments showed that compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited symptoms including mental fatigue， lethargy， sparse and dull fur， a tendency to curl up， sluggish responses， reduced food and water intake， and slow body weight gain. In addition， the model group showed decreased expression of miRNA-34b-5p （P<0.01）， increased mRNA level of PFKFB1 （P<0.01）， upregulated protein levels of HIF-1α， HK2， PFKFB1， PFK1， and LDHA （P<0.01）， and increased glucose consumption， lactate content， and ATP content （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the XLHZ group and Morodan group showed improved mental state， gradually improved fur， increased activity， food and water intake， and body weight. HE showed that each treatment group exhibited well arranged and increased gastric mucosal glands， reduced inflammatory cells， and recovered gastric pits. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the size of mitochondria in each treatment group returned to normal， with no obvious irregular shape， complete and clear cristae， and uniform matrix. Furthermore， each treatment group showed increased expression of miRNA-34b-5p （P<0.05）， reduced mRNA level of PFKFB1 （P<0.05）， downregulated protein levels of HIF-1α， HK2， PFKFB1， PFK1， and LDHA （P<0.05）， and decreased glucose consumption， lactic acid， and ATP （P<0.05）. The cell experiments showed that the expression and nuclear translocation of HIF-1α were reduced in all groups after treatment （P<0.05）. The cell transfection efficiency was satisfactory （P<0.05）. miR-34b-5p exhibited an effect comparable to that of XLHZ， effectively inhibiting glycolysis， whereas PFKFB1 promoted glycolysis and reversed the protective effect of XLHZ in CAG mice （P<0.05）. ConclusionXLHZ could regulate the miR-34b-5p/PFKFB1 axis to inhibit glycolysis， thereby ameliorating MNNG-induced gastric mucosal atrophy.

ObjectiveTo construct a competing endogenous RNA （ceRNA） network involving long non-coding RNA NOTCH1 （lncRNA NOTCH1） and investigate whether Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） ameliorates gastric mucosal injury via regulating ferroptosis through the lncRNA NOTCH1/microRNA-138-5p （miR-138-5p）/silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） axis. MethodsLncRNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools were used to construct the ceRNA network involving lncRNA NOTCH1. In the animal experiments， a chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） model was induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） in mice. Mice were randomized into normal， model， Morodan （2.0 g·kg^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （7.6， 3.8， 1.9 g·kg^-1， respectively） XLHZ groups （n=10）. Transmission electron microscopy was adopted to assess gastric pathology. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of lncRNA NOTCH1， miR-138-5p， SIRT1， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）. Western blot was adopted to quantify the protein levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， and GPX4 in the gastric tissue. In the cell experiment， dual-luciferase assay was employed to verify the targeting among lncRNA NOTCH1， miR-138-5p， and SIRT1. MNNG was used to treat GES-1 cells for disease modeling. The effects of NOTCH1 mimics on the expression of lncRNA NOTCH1， miR-138-5p， and SIRT1， as well as the effects of miR-138-5p inhibitor on the expression of miR-138-5p and SIRT1， were observed. The rescue experiment with XLHZ was designed with five groups： GES-1， GES-1+MNNG （Model）， Model+XLHZ， Model+NOTCH1 inhibitor+XLHZ， and Model+NOTCH1 inhibitor+miR-138-5p mimics+XLHZ. Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence assay were employed to measure the mRNA levels of lncRNA NOTCH1， miR-138-5p， SIRT1， Nrf2， and GPX4 and the Fe²⁺ content， respectively， in GES-1 cells. ResultsThe modeled mice showed mitochondrial damage with shrinkage and cristae loss， downregulated mRNA/protein levels of lncRNA NOTCH1， SIRT1， Nrf2， GPX4， and upregulated expression of miR-138-5p （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug treatments reduced mitochondrial structural damage and the membrane density decreased， partially recovered the crista structure， downregulated the expression of miR-138-5p， and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of lncRNA NOTCH1， SIRT1， Nrf2， and GPX4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the cell experiments， the dual-luciferase assays confirmed lncRNA NOTCH1 bound to miR-138-5p and miR-138-5p bound to SIRT1， both suppressing luciferase activity （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank control group， the model group showed decreased expression of lncRNA NOTCH1， SIRT1， Nrf2， GPX4， increased expression of miR-138-5p， and enhanced Fe²⁺ fluorescence （P<0.01）. NOTCH1 mimics or miR-138-5p inhibitor reversed these changes （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Rescue experiments showed that NOTCH1 inhibitor reversed XLHZ-induced miR-138-5p decrease and SIRT1 increase （P<0.01）， while miR-138-5p overexpression suppressed SIRT1 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results confirmed that lncRNA NOTCH1 negatively regulated miR-138-5p， which in turn negatively regulated SIRT1. ConclusionXLHZ effectively alleviates gastric mucosal injury and curbs CAG progression by inhibiting ferroptosis through modulation of the lncRNA NOTCH1/miR-138-5p/SIRT1 axis.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in ameliorating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating lysosomal iron metabolism. MethodsIn the animal experiments， a mouse model of CAG was established through a combined modeling approach， including free drinking of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG， 100 mg·L^-1）， gavage of ranitidine （8 g·L^-1）， and irregular feeding. Mice were randomly assigned into the normal， model， Morodan （2.0 g·kg^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （7.2， 3.8， 1.9 g·kg^-1， respectively） XLHZ groups. In the cell experiments， GES-1 cells were treated with MNNG to construct a cell model of CAG， and cells were allocated into the GES-1， GES-1+MNNG （Model）， and Model+XLHZ groups. The general physical conditions of mice in each group were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to detect the pathological morphology of the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to measure the serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in the serum. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 （LAMP1）， nuclear receptor coactivator 4 （NCOA4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 3 （Steap3）， and transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 （TRPML1） in the gastric tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the positive expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine （8-OHdG） in the gastric tissue. Fluorescent probe method was used to detect the levels of Fe²⁺ and reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Immunofluorescence assay was applied to observe the co-localization of FTH1 and LAMP1. ResultsThe animal experiments showed that compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited poor mental status and hair condition， accompanied by decreased locomotor activity， food and water intake， and even reduced body weight. HE staining results showed that the gastric mucosal epithelium of model mice presented poor continuity， significantly decreased mucosal thickness， irregular gastric fovea morphology with widened spacing， dilated glandular cavities， reduced and disarranged glands with obvious atrophy， and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the mitochondria were markedly shrunken with condensed and deeply stained matrix， drastically reduced and irregularly arranged cristae， and even vacuolization， and the outer mitochondrial membrane shrank and ruptured. In addition， the model group showed elevated serum levels of IL-6 and IL-1β （P<0.01）， declined serum level of IL-10 （P<0.01）， upregulated protein levels of LAMP1， NCOA4， Steap3， and TRPML1 （P<0.01）， downregulated protein level of FTH1 （P<0.01） in the gastric tissue， reduced positive expression of GPX4 （P<0.01）， and increased positive expression of 8-OHdG （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all the treatment groups showed improved mental state and hair appearance， increased locomotor activity， food and water intake， as well as gradual body weight gain in mice. HE staining demonstrated that the gastric mucosal epithelium of mice in each treatment group was continuous and intact， with normalized gastric fovea morphology， narrowed glandular cavities， increased and neatly arranged glands， and alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the mitochondria in mice from each treatment group possessed intact structures with recovered normal volume， increased and regularly arranged cristae， and homogeneous density of the mitochondrial membrane. The mice treated with high and medium doses of XLHZ exhibited declined serum levels of IL-6 and IL-1β （P<0.01） and elevated serum level of IL-10 （P<0.01）. Low-dose XLHZ reduced serum IL-1β level in mice （P<0.05）. The expression levels of LAMP1， NCOA4， Steap3 and TRPML1 protein in gastric tissue of mice in XLHZ high- and medium-dose groups were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression level of FTH1 protein was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The positive expression of GPX4 in the gastric tissue was increased in the high- and medium-dose XLHZ groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and that of 8-OHdG was decreased in all treatment groups （P<0.01）. The cell experiments showed that compared with the GES-1 group， the fluorescence intensities of Fe²⁺ and ROS， as well as the co-localization of FTH1 and LAMP1， were significantly increased in the GES-1 + MNNG group （P<0.01）. Compared with the GES-1 + MNNG group， the fluorescence intensities of Fe²⁺ and ROS were markedly decreased in the Model + XLHZ group （P<0.01）， while the co-localization of FTH1 and LAMP1 was reduced （P<0.05）. ConclusionXLHZ can effectively regulate lysosomal iron metabolism and ameliorate gastric mucosal and cellular injury induced by CAG.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） through regulating the Golgi protein 73 （GP73）/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） signaling pathway and modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）. MethodA mouse model of CAG was induced by multiple factors， including ranitidine， N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）， and irregular feeding. The CAG mice were randomized into five groups： model， Morodan （2.0 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose （7.6， 3.8， 1.9 g·kg^-1， respectively） Xianglian Huazhuo prescription， with 10 mice in each group. At the same time， 10 mice in normal group were set up. The mice in the Morodan group and the high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose groups of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the normal group and the model group were administrated with an equal volume of normal saline. All the mice were intervened once a day for 60 consecutive days. After the last administration， the overall morphological changes of the gastric tissue were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） were used to evaluate the pathological morphology and the endoplasmic reticulum ultrastructure in the gastric tissue. The serum levels of pepsinogen Ⅰ （PGⅠ）， pepsinogen Ⅱ （PGⅡ）， gastrin-17 （G-17）， and GP73 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The pepsinogen ratio （PGR， PGⅠ/PGⅡ） was calculated. The protein levels of GP73， PERK， phosphorylated （p）-PERK， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， ATF4， CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-12 （Caspase-12）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） were assessed by Western blot. The expression of GRP78 was detected by immunofluorescence （IF） assay， and the location of Bcl-2 and Bax by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed pale gastric mucosa with flattened folds and reduced and loosely arranged gastric mucosal glands， declined serum levels of PGI， PGR， G-17， and GP73 （P<0.01）. downregulated protein levels of GP73， p-PERK， ATF4， GRP78， CHOP， Caspase-12， and Bax in the gastric tissue， and upregulated protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Morodan group and each Xianglian Huazhuo prescription group exhibited red gastric mucosa with increased folds， alleviated pathological damage， swelling endoplasmic reticulum， elevated serum levels of PGI， G-17， and GP73 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated protein levels of Caspase-12 and Bax and downregulated protein level of Bcl-2 in the gastric tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The Morodan group and the high-dose and medium-dose Xianglian Huazhuo prescription groups exhibited increased serum level of PGR （P<0.05， P<0.01） and upregulated protein levels of GP73， p-PERK， ATF4， GRP78， and CHOP in the gastric tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription can activate the GP73/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway and induce ERS-mediated apoptosis to alleviate the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa， thereby demonstrating a protective effect against CAG in mice.