1.Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua Prescription Regulates cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Inflammation and Ameliorate No-reflow Phenomenon in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Sijia WU ; Yingying LI ; Haonan WU ; Xiang LI ; Lingfeng ZHOU ; Huamin ZHANG ; Danli TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):99-107
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the protective effects of the Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua prescription(TYTZP) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via regulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty-six 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, ticagrelor group (32.4 mg·kg-1), RU320521 (RU.521cGAS inhibitors) group (5 mL·kg-1), groups of TYTZP with low dose (3.6 g·kg-1), medium dose (7.2 g·kg-1), and high dose (14.4 g·kg-1), with eight rats per group. The ticagrelor group and groups of TYTZP with different doses received pre-treatment for seven days according to their respective protocols. The RU.521 group received an intraperitoneal injection one hour before modeling. A rat model of the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in situ. Myocardial no-reflow area was determined by thioflavin staining. Histopathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. Myocardial microcirculation function change was observed by using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography. The myocardial enzyme levels in the serum were measured by serum biochemical analysis. The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) levels were detected by using PicoGreen. The protein expression of cGAS, STING, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in myocardial tissue was detected by Western blot. The levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTNⅠ), cardiac troponin T (cTNT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a significantly increased myocardial no-reflow area (P<0.01). Myocardial fiber rupture and disarray and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by HE staining. The ultrasound results indicated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01) were significantly decreased. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography showed that the peak time of myocardial blood perfusion was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cTNⅠ, cTNT, and dsDNA were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the myocardial protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and NF-κB p65 were upregulated (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that the inflammatory factors in the serum such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the group of the TYTZP significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzyme, troponins, and dsDNA (P<0.01, P<0.05), improved cardiac function and myocardial microcirculation, alleviated histopathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, inhibited activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.01, P<0.05), and inhibited inflammatory response. ConclusionThe TYTZP mitigates the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its mechanism is associated with inhibiting the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway and attenuating inflammatory responses.
2.Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua Prescription Regulates cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Inflammation and Ameliorate No-reflow Phenomenon in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Sijia WU ; Yingying LI ; Haonan WU ; Xiang LI ; Lingfeng ZHOU ; Huamin ZHANG ; Danli TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):99-107
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the protective effects of the Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua prescription(TYTZP) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via regulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty-six 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, ticagrelor group (32.4 mg·kg-1), RU320521 (RU.521cGAS inhibitors) group (5 mL·kg-1), groups of TYTZP with low dose (3.6 g·kg-1), medium dose (7.2 g·kg-1), and high dose (14.4 g·kg-1), with eight rats per group. The ticagrelor group and groups of TYTZP with different doses received pre-treatment for seven days according to their respective protocols. The RU.521 group received an intraperitoneal injection one hour before modeling. A rat model of the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in situ. Myocardial no-reflow area was determined by thioflavin staining. Histopathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. Myocardial microcirculation function change was observed by using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography. The myocardial enzyme levels in the serum were measured by serum biochemical analysis. The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) levels were detected by using PicoGreen. The protein expression of cGAS, STING, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in myocardial tissue was detected by Western blot. The levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTNⅠ), cardiac troponin T (cTNT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a significantly increased myocardial no-reflow area (P<0.01). Myocardial fiber rupture and disarray and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by HE staining. The ultrasound results indicated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01) were significantly decreased. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography showed that the peak time of myocardial blood perfusion was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cTNⅠ, cTNT, and dsDNA were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the myocardial protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and NF-κB p65 were upregulated (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that the inflammatory factors in the serum such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the group of the TYTZP significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzyme, troponins, and dsDNA (P<0.01, P<0.05), improved cardiac function and myocardial microcirculation, alleviated histopathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, inhibited activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.01, P<0.05), and inhibited inflammatory response. ConclusionThe TYTZP mitigates the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its mechanism is associated with inhibiting the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway and attenuating inflammatory responses.
3.Research progress on the role of macrophages in atherosclerosis
Wenxiu MA ; Li BAI ; Wen MA ; Tingting QI ; Haonan ZHANG ; Xuan WANG ; Xin ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):770-775
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic and inflammatory vascular disease. Macrophages are common immune cells and play an important role in the development of AS. In recent years, research has found that the formation of AS plaques is closely related to pathological and physiological processes such as macrophage polarization, energy metabolism, and lipid phagocytosis. This review aims to summarize the mechanism of macrophages in the development of AS, and to explore potential therapeutic methods for delaying AS by regulating macrophages, providing new ideas for the treatment and research of AS.
4.The role of pyroptosis in rat articular cartilage injury induced by T-2 toxin
Hexuan DONG ; Xin ZHANG ; Haonan LI ; Fang QI ; Qian YU ; Hong JIANG ; Buyi LIN ; Jun YU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(1):10-16
Objective:To investigate the role of pyroptosis in T-2 toxin induced articular cartilage injury.Methods:A total of 145 SPF grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group ( n = 45), solvent control group ( n = 45), and T-2 toxin group ( n = 55) based on body weight (50 - 70 g). The T-2 toxin group and the solvent control group were given 100 ng·g -1·d -1 T-2 toxin and an equal amount of anhydrous ethanol by gavage, respectively; the blank control group was fed routinely. Fifteen rats from each group were euthanized at 6, 12, and 24 weeks of intervention, and bilateral knee joints of the rats were collected. Pathological changes in rat knee articular cartilage were observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect chondrocyte injury. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of gasdermin D (GSDMD), cleaved N-terminal of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N), NOD like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and apoptosis-associated spike-like protein containing CARD (ASC). Results:At 6, 12, and 24 weeks of intervention, the T-2 toxin group rats showed varying degrees of damage to the knee articular cartilage tissue, including a decrease in the number of chondrocytes and death. At 24 weeks of intervention, the TUNEL staining positivity rates of chondrocytes in the blank control group, solvent control group, and T-2 toxin group were (1.28 ± 0.45)%, (0.73 ± 0.27)%, and (4.01 ± 2.37)%, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the groups ( F = 6.11, P = 0.036); and the T-2 toxin group was higher than the blank control group ( P < 0.05). At 24 weeks of intervention, there were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β proteins among the blank control group, solvent control group, and T-2 toxin group ( F = 3.81, 11.81, 6.74, 3.71, 155.49, P = 0.044, 0.003, 0.023, 0.036, 0.001); and the T-2 toxin group was higher than the blank control group ( P < 0.05). At different intervention cycles, there was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of ASC and IL-18 proteins among the groups ( F = 0.78, 0.93, 3.73, 2.26, 0.88, 0.11, P > 0.05). Conclusion:The NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway mediated pyroptosis is involved in T-2 toxin induced articular cartilage injury in rats.
5.Physical activity and health for college students:cross-sectoral integration and development of health and educa-tion policies
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(8):869-875
Objective To systematically analyze the cross-sectoral health policy frameworks and strategic priorities of the World Health Organization(WHO),United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO),Euro-pean Union(EU),and China in promoting college students'physical activity,adolescent health and mental health,to explore the ways integrating physical activity-related health policies with the polices of college students health and quality physical education.Methods Based on WHO's health promotion framework and with reference to the"Health in All Policies"(HiAP)ap-proach,a content analysis was conducted on health-related policies of WHO,UNESCO,EU and China.Results In the health sector,the international community established a policy system centered on health promotion and the governance concept of HiAP.WHO's Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 and related strate-gies on mental health identified physical activity as a core measure to promote both physical and mental health.The EU's recommendations on Health-Enhancing Physical Activity provided a scheme for translating global strat-egies into monitorable cross-sectoral regional actions.China's national strategies,such as Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline and Integration of Sports and Education demonstrated strong advantages in policy mobilization and resource allocation,with distinct focuses compared to international frameworks in terms of policy systematic-ity,participatory implementation and evaluation orientation.In the education sector,international policies empha-sized the integration of health promotion and education,evolving from ensuring Physical Education Hours to pro-moting Quality Physical Education and Physical Literacy.Through the frameworks like Kazan Action Plan and Health Promoting Universities represented by Okanagan Charter,campus sports was elevated to a level of serv-ing sustainable development and promoting overall well-being.China's National Fitness Program(2021-2025)and Basic Standards for Physical Education in Higher Education Institutions provided specific implementation plans for such integration.Conclusion For the cross-sectoral issue of college students physical activity and health,the international community has constructed an integrated policy framework based on health promotion,integrating policies on physical activity,adolescent health and mental health,to establish a more comprehensive,systematic and inclusive path.In higher education,the trend of integrating health and education policies is significant;physical activity is no longer re-garded as an isolated issue in physical education,but as a key cross-cutting strategy and policy to address non-communicable diseases,improve mental health,promote the holistic development of youth,and achieve the Sus-tainable Development Goals.China should,on the basis of Integration of Sports and Education,further expand HiAP-based cross-sectoral collaboration in accordance with health promotion principles;policy goals should not only focus on physical fitness standards,but also consider intrinsic interest,enjoyable experience and lifelong habit formation;and actively draw on the holistic systems perspective of Health Promoting Universities to build a supportive campus health promotion ecosystem that facilitates the comprehensive physical and mental develop-ment of every student.
6.Research on the comprehensive evaluation of the operation status of tertiary public hospitals based on extensible cloud model
Kangfei SHEN ; Ce ZHANG ; Haonan ZHOU ; Ruiwu ZHUANG ; Yuying FAN ; Zuowei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(2):81-89
Objective:To explore an evaluation method for the operational status of tertiary public hospitals, identify strengths and weaknesses in hospital operations, and provide decision-making support for hospital managers.Methods:In 2023, an evaluation index system for the operation of tertiary public hospitals was constructed based on literature analysis and the Delphi method. The combined weights of the evaluation indexes were determined using the cooperative game theory method. An evaluation model for hospital operational status based on the extensible cloud model was established, with the determination of evaluation index thresholds and standards based on the operational data of a tertiary public hospital in Liaoning Province from 2020 to 2022. The operational status of the hospital was then comprehensively evaluated using the evaluation model based on the hospital′s operational data from 2023.Results:The constructed evaluation index system for the operation of tertiary public hospitals included five dimensions and 14 indicators: financial health, service efficiency, medical quality, satisfaction, and sustainable development. The indicators with higher weight values were net cash flow (0.135), average appointment rate for outpatient patients (0.088), and budget savings from government procurement (0.087). The overall operational status evaluation score of the sample hospital was 4.48, with an evaluation grade of level V. The scores for the dimensions of financial health, medical quality, and sustainable development were 4.99, 4.74, and 5.00, respectively, all reaching level V. The scores for service efficiency and satisfaction were 4.00 and 3.70, respectively, both at level Ⅳ.Conclusions:The evaluation index system and the determined weights constructed in this study were reasonable to a certain extent. The hospital operational status evaluation model based on the extensible cloud model can objectively reflect the operational status of the hospital, and the evaluation results can provide decision-making support for managers.
7.Real world research on prognosis and associated risk factors of postoperative radiotherapy in breast cancer patients undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction
Haonan HAN ; Hailing HOU ; Baozhong ZHANG ; Jing WANG ; Yuanjie CAO ; Jinqiang YOU ; Zhongjie CHEN ; Jie CHEN ; Bailin ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Xiangpan LI ; Ping WANG ; Liming XU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(5):453-460
Objective:To evaluate the impact of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and associated risk factors on the prognosis of patients undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) for breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1593 breast cancer patients who underwent PMBR at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital between January 2010 and October 2023. Patients were divided into an RT group ( n = 351) and a non-RT group ( n =1242) based on whether postoperative radiotherapy was administered. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of revision surgery. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used for pairing. Continuous variables were compared between the two groups using the independent samples t-tests, while categorical variables were compared using chi-square tests, and survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze survival influencing factors, and include propensity factors with P<0.2 in univariate analysis into multivariate analysis. Results:In the RT group, there were 3 deaths (0.9%) and 21 cases of disease progression (6.0%); in the non-RT group, 7 patients died (0.56%) and 40 experienced disease progression (3.22%). The median OS was 20.1 months (range: 0.1-164.9), and the median PFS was 19.5 months (range: 0.1-160.9). Pregnancy-associated breast cancer and higher N stage were identified as significant risk factors for OS, while neoadjuvant therapy, absence of adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy, and higher T stage were significant risk factors affecting patients' PFS. Radiotherapy significantly reduced the survival risk for PMBR patients with pregnancy-associated breast cancer or those receiving neoadjuvant therapy ( P=0.019, 0.027). Compared with other reconstruction methods, implant-based reconstruction was associated with a lower incidence of postmastectomy revision surgery(10.5% vs. 17.0%, P<0.001). Even after radiotherapy, the revision surgery incidence for implant-based reconstruction remained lower than that of other methods (12.2% vs. 14.2%, P=0.591). Compared with other reconstruction types, expander-based reconstruction was associated with an increased incidence of revision surgery (31.9% vs. 10.9%, P<0.001). Conclusions:Postmastectomy radiotherapy can reduce survival risk in PMBR patients with pregnancy-associated breast cancer or who received neoadjuvant therapy, showing positive effects on OS and PFS in high-risk patients. Pregnancy, higher T/N stage, and specific treatment strategies are critical factors influencing the prognosis of PMBR patients. Implant-based reconstruction is associated with a lower incidence of revision surgery, which remains low even after RT, whereas expander-based reconstruction may increase the long-term risk of revision surgery.
8.Epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis and awareness status among occupational populations in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 2023
Qiang ZHOU ; Haonan HAN ; Na LI ; Yunqiu ZHANG ; Mengcheng YU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(10):825-830
Objective:To investigate the epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis and the awareness of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge among occupational populations in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province.Methods:The data of brucellosis cases reported from January to December 2023 in the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System's Infectious Disease Surveillance System where the current residence was Xuzhou City, were collected. The epidemiological distribution characteristics across the three dimensions (time, region, and population) were analyzed, and the etiological characteristics of Brucella strains collected from sentinel hospitals in Xuzhou City during the same period were analyzed. Meanwhile, in September 2023, a survey was conducted on the awareness of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge among occupational populations in 7 counties (cities, districts) with a high incidence of brucellosis in Xuzhou City. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results:In 2023, a total of 124 human brucellosis cases were reported in Xuzhou City, with an annual incidence rate of 1.37/100 000. Brucellosis occurred in all months of the year, with a peak incidence from May to August, accounting for 46.77% (58/124). The incidence rate of brucellosis in Feng County, Pei County, Suining County, Xinyi City and Pizhou City (1.86/100 000) was higher than that in Gulou District, Yunlong District, Quanshan District, Jiawang District and Tongshan District (0.71/100 000), with a statistically significant difference (χ 2 = 19.15, P < 0.001). Among 124 cases of brucellosis, 81 cases (65.32%) were males and 43 cases (34.68%) were females. The incidence rate of brucellosis in males (1.78/100 000) was higher than that in females (0.96/100 000), with a statistically significant difference (χ 2 = 11.08, P < 0.001). The 55 - 64 age group reported a relatively higher number of cases (45 cases, 36.29%), with an incidence rate of 3.97/100 000. The main occupation was farmers (85 cases, 68.55%). In 2023, a total of 9 strains of Brucella were collected from the sentinel hospitals in Xuzhou City, all of which were Brucella melitensis, mainly classified as biotype 3 (7/9). In 2023, a total of 984 occupational population with brucellosis were surveyed in Xuzhou City, and the overall awareness rate of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge was 3.25% (32/984). By binary logistic regression analysis, the awareness rates of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge among veterinarians and those with high school or vocational school education, college education or above were relatively high [ OR (95% CI): 21.24 (1.52 - 297.74), 13.32 (3.48 - 50.96), 18.90 (3.68 - 97.13), P < 0.05]. Conclusions:In 2023, the incidence rate of human brucellosis in Xuzhou City is at a relatively high level, with men, middle-aged and elderly people, and farmers as the main population. The awareness rate of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge among occupational population is relatively low, and it is necessary to strengthen publicity, education, and behavioral intervention.
9.Thesium chinense Turcz. alleviates antibiotic-associated diarrhea in mice by modulating gut microbiota structure and regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Haonan XU ; Fang ZHANG ; Yuying HUANG ; Qisheng YAO ; Yueqin GUAN ; Hao CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):285-295
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Thesium chinense Turcz. (TCT) for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).
METHODS:
Network pharmacology, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and molecular docking were used to identify the shared targets and genes of TCT and AAD, the key signaling pathways and the binding between the active components in TCT and the core protein targets. In a Kunming mouse model of AAD established by intragastric administration of lincomycin hydrochloride, the effects of daily gavage of 1% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium or TCT gel solutions at 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg (n=10) on body weight and diarrhea were observed. HE staining, ELISA, 16S rRNA sequencing, and Western blotting were used to examine pathologies, expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, changes in gut microbiota, and protein expressions of EGFR, p-EGFR, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 66 active components of TCT and 68 core targets including EGFR, STAT3 and PIK3CA. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the therapeutic effects of TCT was mediated primarily through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that EGFR had the highest binding affinity with coniferin, and the EGFR-coniferin complex maintained a stable conformation at 10 ns, whose stability was also confirmed by Gibbs free energy analysis. In the mouse models of AAD, treatment with TCT significantly improved colonic tissue morphology, decreased colonic levels of TNF-α and IL-6, increased gut microbiota diversity, and modulated the relative abundances of the key genera including Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. TCT treatment also markedly reduced protein expressions of p-EGFR, p-PI3K and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice.
CONCLUSIONS
TCT can alleviate AAD in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition, regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and reducing TNF‑α and IL-6 expressions.
Animals
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
ErbB Receptors/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Diarrhea/drug therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
10.Puerarin alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in rats by modulating TAK1-mediated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Maiyuan XU ; Ni LI ; Jiayi LI ; Tao ZHANG ; Liwen MA ; Tao LIN ; Haonan YU ; Ning WU ; Zunqiu WU ; Li HUANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2231-2239
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of puerarin for alleviating synovitis in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).
METHODS:
In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of puerarin at low, moderate and high doses (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks, with tripterygium glycosides (GTW, 10 mg/kg) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb joints regions evaluated by arthritis index scoring. Mass fraction of the liver of the rats was calculated, and pathologies in joint synovial membrane were observed with HE staining. The expressions of transforming growth factor β‑activated kinase-1 (TAK1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and nuclear factor kappa-Bp65 (NF‑κB p65) at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using Real-time PCR and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with those in the model group, the rats in GTW group and high-dose puerarin group showed significantly reduced mass fraction of the liver. Treatment with GTW and puerarin at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, and improved synovitis in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of puerarin showed an obvious dose dependence. Both GTW and puerarin treatments significantly lowered TAK1, TLR4, and NF‑κB p65 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovium of CIA rats.
CONCLUSIONS
Puerarin alleviates synovium damages in CIA rats possibly by suppressing the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway via downregulating TAK1 expression.
Animals
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Isoflavones/therapeutic use*
;
Male
;
Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*
;
Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism*
;
Synovial Membrane/metabolism*

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail