Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of Wuzi Yanzong pill (WYP) in rats with oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) via metabolomics and to provide a possible basis for improving this WYP-based treatment. Methods: A rat model of OAZ was established by treating male Sprague–Dawley rats with glucosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, L-carnitine (positive control), model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose WYP groups. Rats in the experimental groups were treated with WYP for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, sperm cell quality (density, motility, and viability) was assessed using a semen analysis system, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed using flow cytometry, and testicular injury was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining to validate the therapeutic effect of WYP in OAZ. Further, serum metabolomics-based analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify differential metabolic pathways and possible mechanisms of action of WYP in OAZ treatment. Results: A rat model of OAZ was considered successfully-established after comparing the quality of spermatozoa in the model group to that in the control group. WYP-M and WYP-H treatments significantly improved sperm cell density, motility, and viability compared with those in the model group (all P < .05). Compared with the model group, both WYP-M and WYP-H treatments increased MMP values (P = .006 and P = .021 respectively), while there was no significant difference in the L-carnitine group. L-carnitine and WYP administration reversed damage to the testes to varying degrees compared with that in the model group. Further, 44 differential metabolites and four metabolic pathways, especially autophagy pathway, related to OAZ were identified via metabolomics. Conclusions WYP improves sperm cell quality and MMP in OAZ primarily via autophagy regulation. These findings can be employed to improve the efficacy of WYP in humans.

ObjectiveOur recent study has demonstrated that extracellular acidification promotes lipid accumulation in macrophages via the activation of acid sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effect of extracellular acidification on macrophage lipophagy and the underlying mechanism. MethodsRAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with 25 mg/Lox-LDL in a pH 6.5 culture medium for 24 h to build macrophage-derived foam cell models induced by extracellular acidification. Then, RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in the acidic medium of pH 6.5 with or without PcTx-1 (ASIC1 specific blocker, 10 μg/L) or Nec-1 (RIP1 specific inhibitor, 20 μmol/L) for 24 h, intracellular lipid accumulation was observed by oil red O staining. The expressions of total ASIC1, plasma membrane ASIC1, RIP1, p-RIP1 Ser166, TFEB, p-TFEB Ser142, LC3 and p62 were measured by Western blot. The co-localization of lipids (indicated by Bodipy) with LC3II (autophagosomes) and LAMP1 (lysosomes) was analyzed by a confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively. Morphological changes of lipophagy in the cells were observed by using transmission electron microscopy. ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux was determined by cholesterol fluorescence kits. ResultsCompared with pH 7.4+ox-LDL group, the intracellular lipid accumulation in the pH 6.5+ox-LDL group was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the expressions of plasma membrane ASIC1, p-RIP1 Ser166, p-TFEB Ser142, and p62 proteins were elevated significantly, while LC3II protein level and LC3II/LC3I ratio were decreased. Accordingly, compared with pH 7.4+ox-LDL group, the macrophage lipophagy of the pH 6.5+ox-LDL group was inhibited as indicated by the decreased localization of lipid droplets with LC3 and LAMP1, a decrease in the number of lipophagosomes as well as an increase in lipid droplets. Furthermore, ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)-dependent cholesterol efflux from the macrophages of pH 6.5+ox-LDL group reduced dramatically. However, these above effects of extracellular acidification on RAW264.7 macrophages were abolished by PcTx-1 and Nec-1, respectively. ConclusionThese findings suggest extracellular acidification promotes the phosphorylation of TFEB at Ser142 via activating ASIC1/RIP1 pathway, thereby impeding lipophagy in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and that ASIC1 may be a new potential target for preventing aberrant lipid accumulation diseases including atherosclerosis.

Diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, collectively referred to the " Three Highs, " represent increasingly prevalent metabolic risk factors in China. Many individuals experience all three conditions concurrently, significantly heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Although the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has been established for over eight years and has its unique features, the awareness, treatment, and control rates of these diseases in China remain low, and the efficiency of community management is insufficient. According to the previous two editions of management guidelines and the most recent domestic and international diagnostic and treatment guidelines, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the operational experience and management strategies of the MMC. Its aim is to improve the efficiency of grassroots MMC mode management for " Three Highs" patients and ensure that patients receive more standardized management.

Diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, collectively referred to the " Three Highs, " represent increasingly prevalent metabolic risk factors in China. Many individuals experience all three conditions concurrently, significantly heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Although the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has been established for over eight years and has its unique features, the awareness, treatment, and control rates of these diseases in China remain low, and the efficiency of community management is insufficient. According to the previous two editions of management guidelines and the most recent domestic and international diagnostic and treatment guidelines, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the operational experience and management strategies of the MMC. Its aim is to improve the efficiency of grassroots MMC mode management for " Three Highs" patients and ensure that patients receive more standardized management.

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.
Humans ; Allergens ; Asian People ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To improve the classical 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) model established by Pulsinelli and Brierley. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomized into sham operation group, I4VO-Con10 group, I4VO-Int10 group and I4VO-Int15 group. The sham surgery group underwent exposure of the bilateral vertebral arteries and carotid arteries without occlusion to block blood flow. The I4VO-Con10 group experienced continuous ischemia by occluding the bilateral vertebral arteries and carotid arteries for 10 minutes followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. The I4VO-Int10 and I4VO-Int15 groups were subjected to intermittent ischemia. The I4VO- Int10 group underwent 5 minutes of ischemia, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion and another 5 minutes of ischemia, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The I4VO-Int15 group experienced 5 minutes of ischemia followed by two cycles of 5 minutes of reperfusion and 5 minutes of ischemia, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was monitored with laser Doppler scanning, and survival of the rats was observed. HE staining was used to observe hippocampal pathologies to determine the optimal method for modeling. Another 48 rats were randomized into 6 groups, including a sham operation group and 5 model groups established using the optimal method. The 5 I4VO model groups were further divided based on the reperfusion time points (1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days) into I4VO-D1, I4VO-D3, I4VO-D7, I4VO- D14, and I4VO- D28 groups. Body weight changes and survival of the rats were recorded. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes in the hippocampal, retinal and optic tract tissues. The Y-maze test and light/dark box test were used to evaluate cognitive and visual functions of the rats in I4VO-D28 group. RESULTS: Occlusion for 5 min for 3 times at the interval of 5 min was the optimal method for 4VO modeling. In the latter 48 rats, the body weight was significantly lower than that of the sham-operated rats at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after modeling without significant difference in survival rate among the groups. The rats with intermittent vessel occlusion exhibited progressive deterioration of hippocampal neuronal injury and neuronal loss. Cognitive impairment was observed in the rats in I4VO-D28 group, but no obvious ischemic injury of the retina or the optic tract was detected. CONCLUSION The improved 4VO model can successfully mimic the main pathological processes of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury without causing visual impairment in rats.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Brain Ischemia ; Cerebral Infarction ; Reperfusion Injury ; Body Weight

ObjectiveTo introduce the Hr gene of spontaneously mutated SHJH^hr mice into BALB/cAShjh inbred mice with clear genetic background,and provide a basis for study on the molecular mechanism of Hr gene mutation-induced abnormal phenotype and the application of this model.Methods Using a backcross-intercross breeding method guided by phenotypic monitoring, mutant genes from SHJH^hr mice bred by spontaneous mutation were introduced into inbred BALB/cAShjh mice by homozygous mutation introgression, and the mice were bred into BALB/cA.Cg.SHJH^hr (abbreviated as C.Cg.SHJH^hr) mice after 10 generations. The genotypes of 90 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection sites were analyzed in C.Cg.SHJH^hr mice by multiplex PCR library construction followed by next generation sequencing. Then 14 biochemical locus marker genes were detected in C.Cg.SHJH^hr mice according to the method of GB/T 14927.1-2008. Finally, whole genome exon sequencing was utilized to detect the mutated genes in this mouse. ResultsFrom May 2018 to March 2022, a total of 10 generations of backcross-intercross were conducted to complete the construction of the C.Cg.SHJH^hr mouse line. Among the 90 SNPs loci detected, except for rs13484115 and rs13484116, all the other loci had the same genotype as the recipient mice BALB/cAShjh. The results of biochemical marker gene detection showed that all the 14 loci of the mouse were the same as those of the recipient mouse. Whole genome exon sequencing found that the mouse had 109 site mutations compared with the recipient mouse strain, including 71 synonymous mutations, 1 stopgain, 37 missense mutations, and 20 genes involved in protein sequence alterations (including the reported Hr gene). ConclusionC.Cg.SHJH^hr mice were created. Through exon sequencing and genetic analysis, three Hr mutated genes and associated mutated genes that mainly cause phenotypic variations were identified, which provides a basis for expanding the application of C.Cg.SHJH^hr mice in biomedical research.

Objective To measure and analyze biological characteristics and aging phenotype of SHJH^hr mice and provide basic data for the application of the mouse model in aging mechanisms research and antiaging drug development. MethodsWith ICR mice of the same age as control group, the body mass growth data of SHJH^hr mice at the age of 3 to 16 weeks, the reproduction ability of 1 to 4 fetuses and the life cycle of SHJH^hr mice were measured. Blood routine (30 items) and serum biochemical indexes (25 items) of 6-week-old SHJH^hr mice were measured. The venous blood of 8-week-old SHJH^hr mice was collected for flow cytometry analysis to determine the content of immune cells. The aging bone structure of the cancellous bone and bone mineral density of SHJH^hr mice aged 4, 8 and 26 weeks were measured by micro-CT. Histopathological changes of bone and joint of 8-week-old mice were observed. ResultsCompared with ICR mice, the female and male body mass of SHJH^hr mice were significantly lower at the age of 16 weeks (P < 0.05), and the reproductive performance of female mice was low (P < 0.01) or did not have normal reproductive capacity. The shortest survival time of SHJH^hr mice was 57 weeks and the longest was 71 weeks, which was shorter than those of normal ICR mice, showing obvious rapid aging phenomenon. At the same time, some physiological and biochemical indexes of blood and pathological changes of bone and cartilage tissues also showed the accelerated aging and abnormality of animal physiological functions. ConclusionSHJH^hr mice have some biological characteristics of rapid aging as well as some physiological and pathological changes caused by aging.

Humans ; Consensus ; Hypersensitivity ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Allergens