Objective To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction on podocytes in db/db mice based on ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway.Methods Fifty 8-week-old male db/db mice(SPF grade)were randomly divided into the model group,losartan group and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 10 mice in each group.Ten heterozygous db/m mice served as the blank group.Interventions were administered respectively for 12 weeks.The body mass,random blood glucose,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary protein content were detected,HE,PAS,PASM,Masson and Sirius red staining was used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of renal tissue,fluorescent probes were used to observe the release of ROS in renal tissue,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Nephrin,NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in renal tissue,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,IL-18,Nephrin,Podocin,PODXL,WT-1 and Desmin proteins.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and random blood glucose of the model group mice significantly increased(P<0.05),and the contents of serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary protein were significantly increased(P<0.05);glomerular hypertrophy,dilation of renal glomeruli and tubules,thickening of basement membrane,matrix proliferation in mesangial area,abnormal deposition of collagen fibers in renal interstitium,accompanied by damage to renal tubular epithelial structure and focal glomerulosclerosis,significant increase in type Ⅰ collagen deposition,extensive fusion of podocyte processes,and scattered electron dense material in the basement membrane or subepithelial layer;the ROS content in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,IL-18 and Desmin significantly increased(P<0.05),the protein expression of Nephrin,Podocin,PODXL and WT1 significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass and random blood glucose of mice in each dosage of TCM group were relatively stable,the contents of serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary protein decreased;the pathological damage to renal tissue was reduced,the ultrastructure of podocytes was improved,and the density of podocytes increased;the ROS content decreased,and the protein expression of NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,IL-18 and Desmin decreased,while the protein expression of Nephrin,Podocin,WT1 and PODXL increased.With the dosage of modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction increased,the improvement effect gradually strengthened,and the differences in TCM high-dose group was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction can protects podocytes in db/db mice,potentially by modulating the ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction on podocytes in db/db mice based on ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway.Methods Fifty 8-week-old male db/db mice(SPF grade)were randomly divided into the model group,losartan group and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 10 mice in each group.Ten heterozygous db/m mice served as the blank group.Interventions were administered respectively for 12 weeks.The body mass,random blood glucose,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary protein content were detected,HE,PAS,PASM,Masson and Sirius red staining was used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of renal tissue,fluorescent probes were used to observe the release of ROS in renal tissue,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Nephrin,NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in renal tissue,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,IL-18,Nephrin,Podocin,PODXL,WT-1 and Desmin proteins.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and random blood glucose of the model group mice significantly increased(P<0.05),and the contents of serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary protein were significantly increased(P<0.05);glomerular hypertrophy,dilation of renal glomeruli and tubules,thickening of basement membrane,matrix proliferation in mesangial area,abnormal deposition of collagen fibers in renal interstitium,accompanied by damage to renal tubular epithelial structure and focal glomerulosclerosis,significant increase in type Ⅰ collagen deposition,extensive fusion of podocyte processes,and scattered electron dense material in the basement membrane or subepithelial layer;the ROS content in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,IL-18 and Desmin significantly increased(P<0.05),the protein expression of Nephrin,Podocin,PODXL and WT1 significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass and random blood glucose of mice in each dosage of TCM group were relatively stable,the contents of serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary protein decreased;the pathological damage to renal tissue was reduced,the ultrastructure of podocytes was improved,and the density of podocytes increased;the ROS content decreased,and the protein expression of NLRP3,Cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,IL-18 and Desmin decreased,while the protein expression of Nephrin,Podocin,WT1 and PODXL increased.With the dosage of modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction increased,the improvement effect gradually strengthened,and the differences in TCM high-dose group was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction can protects podocytes in db/db mice,potentially by modulating the ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To establish a rapid analytical method to identify the chemical components in Xitong preparations for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled triple time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS). METHODS The analysis was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 (2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.8 μm) column with the mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid(A) and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid(B) in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min−1. Data acquisition was carried out under positive and negative ion modes. The processed data was analyzed by Peakview software and compound database. The chemical components were determined by comparison with standard products, combining with the characteristic fragments in secondary MS, and those in the related literatures. RESULTS Seventy-eight compounds were identified including 20 phenylpropanoids, 33 terpenes, 19 flavonoids, 6 oxylipins, two of which might be new compounds. CONCLUSION The method can be used for rapid identification of chemical compositions in Xitong preparations, which provides basis for quality control and elucidation of phamarcodynamic material basis of Xitong pills and capsules .

[ABSTRACT]AIM:ToobservehowfarnesoidXreceptor(FXR)functionedinconcanavalinA(ConA)-induced hepatitis (CIH) and the regulation of FXR-thyrotropin embryonic factor (TEF) pathway.METHODS:C57BL/6 mice were injected with Con A to induce hepatitis .The expression of FXR and TEF in the liver specimens was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting .The concentrations of serum ALT/AST and inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-2 in the blood samples were tested after Con A injection .RESULTS:FXR was down-regulated in CIH mice .TEF was up-regula-ted when FXR was activated by chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA).Activation of FXR reduced the levels of aminotransferases and inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-2 in the CIH mice induced by Con A injection .CONCLUSION:FXR activation attenuates CIH mouse liver injury and reduces inflammatory cytokines .FXR activation results in TEF up-regu-lation.The FXR-TEF pathway may play a protective role in autoimmune hepatitis .