1.Development status and prospects of aerosol removal using flame-retardant atomized fixatives for nuclear facility decommissioning
Shuli ZHOU ; Zhiping LUO ; Chuangao WANG ; Chunsheng CUI ; Ran CHEN ; Huan WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):136-140
Aerosol removal using flame-retardant atomized fixatives, as a major means of aerosol control, has achieved remarkable results in the field of nuclear facility decommissioning and decontamination. Traditional atomized fixatives for aerosol removal have deficiencies in high-temperature resistance and flame retardancy, rendering them inadequate for operational scenarios involving high temperatures and flammability encountered during nuclear decommissioning. This paper investigates the current development of flame-retardant atomized fixatives for aerosol removal both domestically and internationally and presents a preliminary exploration of this technology. The experiments showed that atomized fixatives modified with flame-retardant properties not only maintained excellent aerosol capture efficiency, but also exhibited significantly improved flame-retardant performance. This confirmed the technical feasibility of the proposed approach. Finally, suggestions and reflections are proposed for the development of this technology and its application in nuclear facility decommissioning.
2.Epidemiological characteristics and prevention strategies of gouty arthritis in Northwest China in 2023-2025
Ling FU ; Ning CUI ; Peijie XIA ; Nan ZHAO ; Aiqing PAN ; Xiaomin RAN ; Fei CHEN ; Kaiyue CAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(4):56-60
Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics of gouty arthritis in Northwest China from 2023 to 2025, and to formulate preventive intervention measures. Methods By retrospectively analyzing the case data of medical institutions in Northwest China from January 2023 to June 2025 (a total of 8 139 cases), the incidence trend and population distribution characteristics of gouty arthritis in this area were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Results From 2023 to 2025, the prevalence rate of gouty arthritis in adult residents in Northwest China was 3.74% (304/8 139). Among the sites affected by gouty arthritis, the metatarsophalangeal joint accounted for the highest proportion (P<0.05). From the perspective of age distribution, the prevalence rate was the highest in 40-59 years old group (5.90%), followed by 66-80 years old group (4.21%) and >80 years old group (2.75%). The incidence rate in 40-65 years old group was higher than that in the other age groups (P<0.05). High blood uric acid and creatinine, alcohol drinking, obesity, high purine diet, concurrent chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome were risk factors affecting gouty arthritis in Northwest China (P<0.05). Conclusion High blood uric acid level, high creatinine level, alcohol drinking, obesity, high purine diet, concurrent chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome are risk factors influencing gouty arthritis in Northwest China. Based on the above factors, this study proposes comprehensive prevention strategies from the individual, community and public health levels to provide a scientific basis for reducing the incidence rate of gouty arthritis.
3.The Influence of BDNF on Cortical Remodeling After Peripheral Nerve Injury
Bo-Yuan CHEN ; Hao-Ran CHEN ; Tao ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2194-2209
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) severs peripheral connections and induces profound reorganization of primary somatosensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortical maps, a dynamic process that critically shapes the extent and quality of functional recovery. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a central molecular hub linking the initial peripheral insult to subsequent central plastic changes. This review systematically examines BDNF-mediated cortical remodeling following PNI, with a particular emphasis on its spatiotemporally specific regulatory mechanisms and the therapeutic opportunities they present. Immediately after PNI, deafferented cortical territories undergo rapid functional silencing and, over time, become progressively encroached upon by adjacent intact representations. This maladaptive reorganization—characterized by sensory map fusion and motor compensatory invasion—actively impedes successful reinnervation and optimal recovery. Such phenomena have been consistently documented in both non-human primate models and human fMRI studies, spanning sensory and motor modalities. Motor remapping is also prominently observed in facial nerve injury and chronic nerve compression models, underscoring the universality of these plastic changes. Notably, a range of interventions including regional local anesthesia, auditory-tactile substitution, and guided tactile imagery can effectively mitigate this aberrant remodeling, revealing promising avenues for the therapeutic modulation of cortical plasticity during critical post-injury windows. BDNF coordinates post-PNI cortical remodeling through three mechanistically interconnected pathways. First, BDNF drives dendritic and axonal growth via TrkB receptor signaling: retrogradely transported axonal signaling endosomes integrate CREB-dependent transcriptional programs with mTOR-mediated local protein synthesis to bolster dendritic arborization and axonal elongation, while BDNF-induced Limk1 translation precisely fine-tunes actin cytoskeletal dynamics, thereby stabilizing dendritic spine morphology. Second, BDNF governs GABAergic interneuron maturation and perineuronal net formation through the JNK signaling cascade, thereby acting as a “plasticity brake” that preserves the delicate excitatory/inhibitory balance and constrains indiscriminate, maladaptive rewiring. Third, BDNF robustly potentiates NMDAR-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) by elevating NMDA channel open probability and increasing synaptic receptor density, thus tightly coupling structural remodeling with functional synaptic strengthening. Concurrently, long-term depression pathways are subject to modulation, with NMDAR antagonism exerting time-dependent, bidirectional effects that vary with the post-injury phase. Superimposed on these mechanisms, the functionally antagonistic actions of proBDNF/p75NTR (favoring pruning and growth cone collapse) and mature BDNF/TrkB (promoting survival and stabilization) add further layers of regulatory complexity, highlighting the absolute necessity for precise spatiotemporal control in any therapeutic strategy. Extending our previous experimental findings, we introduce a “cortical reclamation threshold” model. In this framework, early upregulation of BDNF-TrkB signaling enhances inhibitory tone to restrict cortical encroachment by neighboring intact regions, whereas delayed but precisely timed BDNF delivery following surgical nerve repair actively facilitates the reclamation of the original, deafferented cortical maps by regenerating afferent fibers. Importantly, the common BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may significantly modulate individual thresholds, providing a biologically grounded rationale for patient stratification and personalized timing of intervention. Despite this mechanistic promise, clinical translation faces considerable hurdles. These include inherently poor pharmacokinetics of BDNF, severely limited penetration across the blood-brain barrier, dose-dependent neurotoxicity mediated through the p75NTR receptor, and the overarching dual-edged nature of BDNF signaling, which can simultaneously promote both adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. Emerging delivery platforms——including engineered exosomes, polymeric nanoparticles, cryogel microcarriers, and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy——offer potential solutions, but all require rigorous pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and functional validation. Future research priorities should encompass: (1) comprehensive single-cell and spatial transcriptomic mapping to resolve BDNF cellular sources and real-time signaling dynamics across distinct cortical layers and cell types; (2) genotype-stratified dose-response studies to establish safe, effective, and personalized delivery protocols; and (3) large-scale multicenter clinical trials that seamlessly integrate BDNF-targeted interventions with multimodal rehabilitation strategies, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and mirror therapy, with longitudinal neuroimaging serving as a biomarker for cortical reclamation. By systematically addressing these priorities, we aim to transform BDNF from a critical endogenous regulator into a precisely controllable and titratable therapeutic target, ultimately enabling a paradigm shift from mere structural repair to true functional neural reconstruction following PNI.
4.Differentiation and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease from the Perspective of "Guarding the Channel Passages" Based on Circadian Rhythm
Jingjing ZHAO ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Lanlan LI ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Ran ZHAO ; Shujuan XU ; Han PENG ; Lingmei LI ; Hao GUO ; Jianhua FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1977-1981
Coronary heart disease (CHD) has a distinct circadian rhythmicity in its onset, which is closely related to the waxing and waning of qi and blood in the channel passages of the human body. Grounded in the circadian rhythm theory of "correspondence between heaven and humankind", this paper explores the pathogenic evolution rules of qi-blood disharmony, channel obstruction, interacting as cause and effect with circadian rhythm disorders in CHD. Clinically, CHD can be observed to attack in the early morning, at night, in the afternoon, and at fixed or unfixed circadian intervals. The pathogenesis rhythms at different time nodes can correspondingly reflect the susceptibility tendencies and pathological stress responses of the human body to core pathogeneses such as yang deficiency with cold congelation, yin deficiency with yang floating, qi and yin deficiency, and liver constraint with qi stagnation under specific temporal states. Treatment should be adapted to the season and time, regulating yin and yang in accordance with biological rhythms. It is recommended to regulate qi during the daytime by promoting ascending and dispersing to unblock the channel passages, and select the appropriate timing for administration to harness natural timing. At the Mao (卯) hour, yang ascends while yin descends, and taking medication at this time conforms to the ascending of yang qi. At the Wu (午) hour, the heart meridian is active, and taking medication at this time warms the channel passages and assists heart yang, which can be treated with modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤) or Shengyang Yiwei Decoction (升阳益胃汤). At night, blood should be harmonized, when the channel passages are unblocked through nourishing, restraining, and searching, with Lianmei Decoction (连梅汤) combined with Dahuang Zhechong Pill (大黄䗪虫丸). Following the temporal rhythm, the focus is put on the transitional time of day and night and the four seasons to treat disease before it arises, resonating and corresponding with the natural rhythm.
5.From Blood-brain Barrier Penetration to Barrier Functional Remodeling: New Intervention Strategies via Nanodelivery Systems for Alzheimer’s Disease
Xu-Ran WANG ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU ; Yi-Kun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2414-2429
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by cerebral amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) aggregation, neurofibrillary tangles and progressive cognitive deterioration. There is an urgent clinical demand for targeted therapeutic agents against AD, whereas the blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a critical physical barrier that blocks over 98% small-molecule drugs and nearly all biomacromolecules from entering brain parenchyma. Nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) with tunable physicochemical properties can cross the BBB via multiple transcytosis pathways including adsorptive-mediated, receptor-mediated and transporter-mediated routes, opening a promising avenue for targeted AD treatment. A core academic viewpoint proposed herein is that robust in vitro endothelial penetration of nanocarriers cannot guarantee effective accumulation in brain target cells. Comprehensive evaluation of BBB-crossing delivery efficiency should not merely rely on in vitro permeability tests, but cover the full multi-step transcytosis cascade, cellular tropism in brain tissues and in vivo therapeutic outcomes. This review systematically sorts out diverse nanoplatforms applicable to BBB penetration for AD intervention. Inorganic nanomaterials such as gold and ceria nanoparticles possess large specific surface areas and intrinsic antioxidant capacity, which eliminate reactive oxygen species and hinder Aβ fibrillization. Liposomal formulations and solid lipid nanoparticles exhibit superior biocompatibility with biomimetic phospholipid bilayer architectures, capable of co-loading hydrophilic nucleic acids for Tau regulation and lipophilic Aβ inhibitors; relying on receptor-mediated transcytosis, they achieve sustained drug retention in the brain. Polymeric nanocarriers including nanogels and polyamidoamine dendrimers enable multi-target combinatorial therapy, and can be engineered to release cargo in response to inflammatory microenvironments, thereby suppressing excessive microglial activation and protecting neuronal mitochondria. Beyond conventional nanocarriers, this work elaborates two cutting-edge BBB-crossing delivery platforms: biomimetic nanosystems and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Biomimetic nanoparticles camouflaged with erythrocyte, platelet or macrophage membranes, as well as natural exosomes, evade immune clearance, prolong systemic circulation and inherently home to inflammatory lesions. Serving as “nano-decoys”, they neutralize Aβ neurotoxins and remodel cerebral inflammatory microenvironments simultaneously. MOFs feature high porosity and customizable pore channels for co-delivery of multiple therapeutics, and can be integrated with near-infrared photothermal and photooxidation modalities to facilitate focal brain lesion therapy. This review highlights a transformative paradigm shift in the field of BBB-targeted AD therapy: research focus has shifted from simply maximizing cerebral drug penetration toward active modulation and functional restoration of the BBB. Impaired BBB transporters intrinsically impede endogenous Aβ clearance. Accordingly, BBB-regulating nanocarriers are designed to remodel the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) trafficking cascade, redirecting endocytic vesicles from lysosomal degradation to non-degradable transcytosis and restoring the intrinsic Aβ efflux capacity of the BBB. Distinct from conventional strategies that only exert local lesion inhibition, this systemic clearance strategy eliminates cerebral Aβ deposits by accelerating peripheral excretion.
6.Mechanisms of Shuangshen Ningxin Capsules in Modulating NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways to Reduce Cardiac Inflammation and Alleviate Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats
Shujuan XU ; Gaojie XIN ; Ce CAO ; Zixin LIU ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Ran ZHAO ; Lu XING ; Yehao ZHANG ; Yue SHI ; Yanlei MA ; Jianhua FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):83-91
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangshen Ningxin capsules (SSNX) in regulating the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways to inhibit inflammation and alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats. MethodsThe 45 healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, and SSNX capsules group (90 mg·kg-1). The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish the MIRI model. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, and microvascular reperfusion was analyzed using contrast echocardiography. Myocardial inflammation and injury were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression levels of cardiac inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Core differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways were screened by transcriptome sequencing. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to verify the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), as well as the protein expression of Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2) and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) of the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the peak time of myocardial perfusion was prolonged (P<0.01), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression increased (P<0.01), the concentrations of inflammatory factors IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, TLR2, CXCL1 and PTGS2 increased (P<0.01), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK proteins was significantly increased (P<0.01). SSNX could improve cardiac function (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly shorten the peak time of myocardial perfusion (P<0.01). Moreover, it could also down-regulate HIF-1α and a-SMA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduce the concentrations of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of TLR2, CXCL1 and PTGS2 (P<0.01). Additionally, SSNX inhibited the apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly reduced the expression of Cleaved Caspase-3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK proteins (P<0.01). ConclusionSSNX can alleviate cardiac inflammation by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thereby effectively preventing and alleviating myocardial reperfusion injury.
7.Clinical Efficacy of Tangning Tongluo Tablets for Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Fuwen ZHANG ; Junguo DUAN ; Wen XIA ; Tiantian SUN ; Yuheng SHI ; Shicui MEI ; Xiangxia LUO ; Xing LI ; Yujie PAN ; Yong DENG ; Chuanlian RAN ; Hao CHEN ; Li PEI ; Shuyu YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):132-139
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study, which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group (120 cases) and a control group (120 cases). The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets, and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision, DR progression rate, retinal microhemangioma, hemorrhage area, exudation area, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment, and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than the control group (P<0.05). The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups, while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group (Z=-1.437, P<0.05) and the control group (Z=-2.238, P<0.05), and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged, the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time, both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR, being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.
8.Ferroptosis and osteoporosis
Cheng YANG ; Weimin LI ; Dongcheng RAN ; Jiamu XU ; Wangxiang WU ; Jiafu XU ; Jingjing CHEN ; Guangfu JIANG ; Chunqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):554-562
BACKGROUND:It has also been confirmed that ferroptosis is closely related to a variety of musculoskeletal diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,osteosarcoma,and osteoporosis.The pathophysiological mechanisms of ferroptosis and osteoporosis need to be further studied and elucidated to broaden our understanding of iron metabolism and osteoporosis.It will provide research ideas for the future elucidation of new mechanisms of osteoporosis and the development of new technologies and drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To provide an overview of the current status of research on ferroptosis in osteoporosis,to provide a new direction for future research on the specific molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis,and to provide more effective and better options for osteoporosis treatment strategies. METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published from 2000 to 2024 in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases with search terms"ferroptosis,iron metabolism,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signal pathway,musculoskeletal,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 68 articles were finally included according to the selection criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death discovered in recent years,which is usually accompanied by a large amount of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during cell death,and its occurrence is iron-dependent.This is distinctly different from several types of cell death that are currently being hotly studied(e.g.,cellular pyroptosis,necrotic apoptosis,cuproptosis,and autophagy).(2)Intracellular iron homeostasis is manifested as a balance between iron uptake,export,utilization,and storage.The body's iron regulatory system includes systemic and intracellular regulation.The main factor of systemic regulation is hepcidin produced by hepatic secretion,and cellular regulation depends on the iron regulatory protein/iron response element system.Of course,intracellular iron homeostasis can be controlled by other factors,such as hypoxia,cytokines,and hormones.(3)Lipid peroxidation causes oxidative damage to biological membranes(plasma membrane and internal organelle membranes),lipoproteins,and other lipid-containing molecules.Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids are important targets of lipid peroxidation.Free polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important substrate for lipid oxidation and can bind to the phospholipid bilayer,leading to over-oxidation and thus triggering lipid apoptosis.(4)Several studies have shown that osteoblasts are overloaded with iron in different ways,resulting in the accumulation of unstable ferrous iron and the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides,causing ferroptosis of osteoblasts and ultimately a decrease in bone formation,affecting bone homeostasis and the development of osteoporosis.(5)Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells formed by the fusion of mononuclear macrophage cell lines or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by nuclear factor-κB ligand receptor activator,and they have the function of bone resorption.Iron ions can promote osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption through the production of intracellular lipid reactive oxygen species,while iron chelators can inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and thus affect the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.
9.Traditional Chinese medicine dry powder inhalers: research status and development ideas and methods.
Yu-Wen MA ; Yi-Chen ZENG ; Hao-Ran WANG ; Guang-Fu LIU ; Jun JIANG ; Yu-Song ZENG ; Bai-Xiu ZHAO ; Jin FANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):620-631
As an innovative dosage form, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dry powder inhalers have emerged as a focal point in the research and development of new preparations due to its high efficiency, safety, and bioavailability. This paper systematically reviewed the relevant literature and patents associated with TCM dry powder inhalers to analyze the origins and the current research and development status. Furthermore, this paper probed into the research and development ideas of TCM dry powder inhalers regarding clinical positioning, prescription screening, and druggability. Additionally, the paper thoroughly analyzed the technical barriers in druggability studies and elaborated on corresponding research techniques and coping measures. Furthermore, it emphasized the need for improved regulations and policies governing TCM dry powder inhalers, advocated for strengthened oversight, and called for the establishment of a scientific quality evaluation system. Measures such as promoting production-education-research collaboration, enhancing personnel training, and fostering international exchanges were proposed to provide a scientific and systematic reference for the future research, development, and application of TCM dry powder inhalers, thereby facilitating the rapid modernization of TCM.
Humans
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Dry Powder Inhalers/trends*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/instrumentation*
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Administration, Inhalation
10.Buzhong Yiqi Decoction alleviates immune injury of autoimmune thyroiditis in NOD.H-2~(h4)mice via c GAS-STING signaling pathway.
Yi-Ran CHEN ; Lan-Ting WANG ; Qing-Yang LIU ; Zhao-Han ZHAI ; Shou-Xin JU ; Xue-Ying CHEN ; Zi-Yu LIU ; Xiao YANG ; Tian-Shu GAO ; Zhi-Min WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1872-1880
This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism*
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Mice
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Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred NOD
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Humans
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Female
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Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism*
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Male
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Disease Models, Animal


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