1.Rutaecarpine Attenuates Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Gouty Inflammation via Inhibition of TNFR-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathways.
Min LI ; Zhu-Jun YIN ; Li LI ; Yun-Yun QUAN ; Ting WANG ; Xin ZHU ; Rui-Rong TAN ; Jin ZENG ; Hua HUA ; Qin-Xuan WU ; Jun-Ning ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):590-599
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro.
METHODS:
In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets.
RESULTS:
RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding.
CONCLUSION
RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Inflammation/complications*
;
Uric Acid
;
Quinazolines/therapeutic use*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Gout/chemically induced*
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
THP-1 Cells
;
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Quinazolinones
2.Liujunzi Decoction Regulated Intestinal Flora Homeostasis to Relieve Lung-Gut Axis Inflammation in Asthma Flora Disorder Mice: Possibly Related to GATA3/ILC2.
Wen-Ting XU ; Qi WANG ; Xin-Yu WU ; Jing-Han HUANG ; Jing WANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(11):1001-1010
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effects and mechanism of Chinese medicine Liujunzi Decoction (LJZD) on regulating microbial flora in mice with asthma flora disorder.
METHODS:
Thirty BALB/c female mice were divided into control, model, LJZD [3.5 g/(kg•d), by gavage], dexamethasone [DXMS, 0.7 mg/(kg•d), intraperitoneal injection], and Clostridium butyricum [CB, 230 mg/(kg•d), by gavage] groups according to a random number table, 6 mice in each group. The asthma flora disorder mice model was induced with ovalbumin (OVA). Lung and gut lesions were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stainings. The secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) protein expression in lung and gut tissues was detected by Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to detect the relative counts of GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3)/type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in lung and gut. The levels of inflammatory factors in lung and gut tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chao1 and Shannon index were used to compare microbial abundance and diversity in alveolar lavage fluid and cecal contents. The similarity or difference in the composition of mice microbial communities was analyzed through cluster analysis. The serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content was detected by ultra performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS)/MS.
RESULTS:
The asthma flora disorder model mice showed obvious asthma-related symptoms, but LJZD treatment effectively alleviated these symptoms. LJZD restored alveolar wall thickening, airway inflammatory cell infiltration, gut tissue structure destruction, and inflammatory cell infiltration in asthma flora disorder mice. LJZD downregulated the sIgA protein expression in mice (P<0.05). Moreover, LJZD decreased the activation of GATA3/ILC2s in lung and gut tissue (P<0.01), and reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-33, IL-25, IL-9 and IL-13 (P<0.01). LJZD treatment returned the abundance of microbial species and the microbial community structure of alveolar lavage fluid and cecal content in asthma flora disorder mice to the normal state. The SCFAs content and body metabolism were also improved.
CONCLUSION
LJZD exerted anti-asthmatic effects by improving the microbial balance of lung-gut axis and affecting systemic metabolism, consequently regulating the GATA3/ILC2s axis to impact the lung inflammatory response.
Animals
;
Asthma/pathology*
;
GATA3 Transcription Factor/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Female
;
Lung/drug effects*
;
Homeostasis/drug effects*
;
Inflammation/pathology*
;
Lymphocytes/drug effects*
;
Mice
3.Quercetin Confers Protection against Sepsis-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Suppressing ROS/p38 MAPK Pathway.
Wei-Chao DING ; Juan CHEN ; Quan LI ; Yi REN ; Meng-Meng WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Xiao-Hang JI ; Xin-Yao WU ; Shi-Nan NIE ; Chang-Bao HUANG ; Zhao-Rui SUN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(11):1011-1020
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
METHODS:
In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro.
RESULTS:
Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals
;
Sepsis/drug therapy*
;
Quercetin/therapeutic use*
;
Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology*
;
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
;
Lung/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology*
;
Inflammation/pathology*
;
Protective Agents/therapeutic use*
4.Resveratrol Attenuates Inflammation in Acute Lung Injury through ROS-Triggered TXNIP/NLRP3 Pathway.
Wen-Han HUANG ; Kai-Ying FAN ; Yi-Ting SHENG ; Wan-Ru CAI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(12):1078-1086
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the protective effects of resveratrol against acute lung injury (ALI) and investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway.
METHODS:
C57BL/6 mice and J774A.1 cells were selected as the research subjects. Thirty Mice were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 in each group: control with 0.9% saline, 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 24 h, 25 mg/kg resveratrol + 5 mg/kg LPS, 100 mg/kg resveratrol + 5 mg/kg LPS, and 4 mg/kg NLRP3 inhibitor CY-09 + 5 mg/kg LPS. For cell stimulation, cells were pretreated with 5 and 20 µmol/L resveratrol for 2 h, and stimulated with or without 1 µg/mL LPS and 3 mmol/L ATP for 2 h. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 2 µmol/L) was used as the positive control group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the degree of lung LPS-induced tissue damage, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the contents of interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and IL-18 in the serum and cell supernatant. ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the lung tissue were detected using the corresponding kits. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TXNIP, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), NLRP3, as well as cysteine-aspartic acid protease 1 (caspase-1) and gasdermin D (GSDMD) along with their cleaved forms in lung tissue. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the expression of related inflammatory cytokines. ROS content was detected using flow cytometry and confocal laser microscopy. Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and HMGB1 expression was detected using immunofluorescence.
RESULTS:
Resveratrol significantly alleviated LPS-induced lung damage with reduced inflammation, interstitial edema, and leukocyte infiltration (P<0.01). It also decreased serum levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 (P<0.05), while downregulating the expressions of NLRP3, IL-6, and other inflammatory markers at both the protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05). Notably, the higher dose (100 mg/kg) demonstrated a better effect than the lower dose (25 mg/kg). In macrophages, resveratrol reduced IL-1 β and IL-18 following LPS and ATP stimulation, suppressed HMGB1 translocation, and inhibited formation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These anti-inflammatory effects were mediated through the suppression ROS accumulation (P<0.01) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that resveratrol preserved mitochondrial structure, preventing the mitochondrial damage seen in LPS-treated groups (P<0.01). The expressions of cleaved caspase-1, cleaved GSDMD, and cytoplasmic HMGB1 were all reduced following resveratrol treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, resveratrol inhibited dissociation of TXNIP from thioredoxin, blocking subsequent activation of NLRP3 and downstream inflammatory cytokines (P<0.01). Similarly, the higher concentration of resveratrol (20 µ mol/L) exhibited superior efficacy in vitro.
CONCLUSION
Resveratrol can reduce the inflammatory response following ALI and inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the level of HMGB1 in the cytoplasm by inhibiting ROS overproduction.
Acute Lung Injury/metabolism*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Resveratrol/pharmacology*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Inflammation/complications*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Carrier Proteins/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Thioredoxins/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Lung/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Cell Line
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Cell Cycle Proteins
;
Stilbenes/therapeutic use*
5.Changes in inflammatory composite markers and D-dimer levels in young and middle-aged/elderly patients with hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis and their predictive value for disease progression.
Jing LI ; Jinrong HU ; Yuanyuan GOU ; Long YAO ; Jie CAO
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(2):215-226
OBJECTIVES:
Hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) has a rapid onset and is associated with a high risk of progression and recurrence. Early identification of patients at risk of severe disease can help reduce the likelihood of multiple organ failure and mortality. This study aims to investigate the changes in inflammatory composite markers and D-dimer (D-D) levels in young and middle-aged/elderly patients with HTG-AP and to evaluate their predictive value for disease progression.
METHODS:
A total of 230 patients with HTG-AP admitted to Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital (Jiangjin Central Hospital) between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were first divided into a young group (≤45 years) and a middle-aged/elderly group (>45 years), and then stratified into mild and severe groups based on disease severity. Inflammatory composite markers, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), as well as D-D levels, were compared among groups. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and Logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors for disease progression in each age group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the DeLong test were used to assess and compare the predictive performance (area under the curve, AUC) of risk factors. Internal validation was performed using the bootstrap method (n=1 000).
RESULTS:
No significant differences in NLR, PLR, MLR, SIRI, SII, CLR, or D-D levels were observed between the young (n=127) and middle-aged/elderly (n=103) groups (all P>0.05). Among young patients, the severe group (n=59) had significantly higher NLR, SIRI, SII, CLR, and D-D levels compared to the mild group (n=68) (all P<0.05). Among middle-aged/elderly patients, CLR and D-D levels were significantly higher in the severe group (n=49) than in the mild group (n=54) (P<0.05). LASSO and Logistic regression analyses identified elevated D-D as an independent risk factor for disease progression in young patients (P=0.007, OR=1.458, 95% CI 1.107 to 1.920), while both D-D (P=0.001, OR=2.267, 95% CI 1.413 to 3.637) and CLR (P=0.003, OR=1.007, 95% CI 1.003 to 1.012) were independent risk factors in middle-aged/elderly patients. ROC analysis showed that D-D predicted disease progression in young and middle-aged/elderly patients with AUCs of 0.653 and 0.741, sensitivities of 67.8% and 57.1%, and specificities of 72.1% and 88.9%, respectively. CLR predicted progression in middle-aged/elderly patients with an AUC of 0.687, sensitivity of 63.3%, and specificity of 70.4%. DeLong test showed no significant difference in AUC between D-D and CLR for middle-aged/elderly patients (Z=0.993, P=0.321). Internal validation via bootstrap analysis yielded a D-D AUC of 0.732, with sensitivity and specificity of 68.1% and 91.0%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Differences in inflammatory response and coagulation function exist across age groups and disease severities in HTG-AP patients. Elevated D-D is an independent predictor of disease progression in both young and middle-aged/elderly patients, while CLR also predicts progression in the latter group. D-D, in particular, demonstrates strong predictive value for severe disease in middle-aged/elderly patients with HTG-AP.
Humans
;
Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/metabolism*
;
Disease Progression
;
Middle Aged
;
Pancreatitis/etiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adult
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Hypertriglyceridemia/blood*
;
Acute Disease
;
Predictive Value of Tests
;
Aged
;
Inflammation
;
C-Reactive Protein/analysis*
;
Neutrophils
;
Age Factors
6.Mechanisms of pyroptosis in metabolic diseases.
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1465-1474
In recent years, pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death, has gained increasing attention in the field of metabolic disease research. Pyroptosis is closely associated with inflammatory responses. A growing body of evidence suggests that pyroptosis not only plays a critical role in regulating inflammation but can also influence metabolic status, cellular function, and tissue damage through multiple pathways, thereby either exacerbating or alleviating the progression of metabolic diseases. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis and its roles across different metabolic diseases remain unclear, and investigations into related therapeutic targets are still in early stages. Systematically elucidating the mechanisms by which pyroptosis contributes to metabolic diseases and exploring its potential roles in inflammation and pathophysiology may provide new insights and strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders, and further promote advances in this research field.
Pyroptosis/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Metabolic Diseases/metabolism*
;
Inflammation/physiopathology*
;
Animals
;
Inflammasomes
7.Mitochondria derived from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviate the inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts.
Bicong GAO ; Chenlu SHEN ; Kejia LV ; Xuehui LI ; Yongting ZHANG ; Fan SHI ; Hongyan DIAO ; Hua YAO
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(8):778-788
Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response. Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis, but the relevant mechanism is complicated. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hESC-MSCs) for the treatment of periodontitis. The gingival tissues of periodontitis patients are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial structure. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were exposed to 5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h to establish a cell injury model. When treated with hESC-MSCs or mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs, HGFs showed reduced expression of inflammatory genes, increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and enhanced mitochondrial function compared to the control. The average efficiency of isolated mitochondrial transfer by hESC-MSCs was determined to be 8.93%. Besides, a therapy of local mitochondrial injection in mice with LPS-induced periodontitis showed a reduction in inflammatory gene expression, as well as an increase in both the mitochondrial number and the aspect ratio in gingival tissues. In conclusion, our results indicate that mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and improve mitochondrial function in HGFs, suggesting that the transfer of mitochondria between hESC-MSCs and HGFs serves as a potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of stem cells.
Humans
;
Gingiva/cytology*
;
Fibroblasts/metabolism*
;
Mitochondria/physiology*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Animals
;
Periodontitis/therapy*
;
Mice
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Inflammation
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Human Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism*
;
Male
8.Transmembrane protein 16A--a new target for the treatment of airway inflammatory diseases.
Qiulan LUO ; Ningcong XU ; Xi TAN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(6):590-596
One of the main pathological features of airway inflammatory diseases is hypersecretion of airway mucus, which is manifested by goblet cell hyperplasia and mucociliary clearance dysfunction. In recent years, it has been found that the molecular structure of calcium activated chloride ion channels, transmenbrane protein 16A(TMEM16A), is closely related to airway mucus hypersecretion.TMEM16A not only mediates ion transepithelial transport and hydration, but also participates in the regulation of mucin secretion. TMEM16A is highly expressed in airway epithelium of a variety of inflammatory diseases of upper and lower airway, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and so on. Understanding the expression level and regulation mechanism of TMEM16A in different airway diseases and revealing its physiological function and pathological mechanism is critical for targeted disease treatment. This paper summarizes the research status of the discovery process, structural characteristics and regulatory mechanism of TMEM16A, and then summarizes the expression level of TMEM16A in asthma, cystic fibrosis, allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis ant related pathological mechanisms, clarifies the potential value of TMEM16A as a therapeutic target for the above four diseases, in order to guide treatment of airway inflammatory diseases.
Humans
;
Asthma/metabolism*
;
Anoctamin-1
;
Cystic Fibrosis/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism*
;
Sinusitis/metabolism*
;
Chloride Channels/metabolism*
;
Rhinitis, Allergic/metabolism*
;
Inflammation
9.Observation of morphological and molecular biological changes of nasal mucosa in patients with type 2 inflammation chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps after Reboot surgery.
Xubo CHEN ; Xinhua ZHU ; Yu ZHU ; Zheng ZHOU ; Zhihui FU ; Hongbing LIU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):809-816
Objective:To explore the effect, postoperative mucosal pathological changes and molecular biological changes of reboot operation for type 2 inflammation chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP) patients, and to provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of this kind of operation. Methods:We collected 29 patients who were diagnosed with CRSwNP with type 2 inflammatino response and underwent Reboot surgery from June 2022 to August 2023, and 27 patients who were diagnosed with deviated septum and underwent simple submucosal resection of the septum as the control group. We conducted nasal symptom scoring, endoscopic sinusitis scoring, and CT scanning of the sinuses before and after surgery, as well as HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, and detection of inflammatory factors using Elisa kits at the time of surgery, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. We also observed the ultrastructural changes using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and performed proteomic analysis of the mucosa in the ethmoid sinus area of the sinusitis patients at the time of surgery and 6 months postoperatively. Results:After 6 months of postoperative follow-up, CT scores of the nasal cavity and sinuses had gradually decreased compared with the preoperative period. The VAS score of main symptoms, SNOT-22 score and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score were decreased after 12 months follow-up. The histological morphology of the mucosa in the area of the screen was significantly improved compared with the preoperative period, with a reduction in the number of eosinophils. The levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-4 and IL-5 et al. in the mucosa of the area of the screen were gradually reduced compared with the preoperative period. The histological morphology, ultrastructure, and cilia structure of the mucosa in the area of the screen were gradually improved compared with the preoperative period, though not recovered completely. The number of CD4⁺T and CD8⁺T cells not changed significantly before and after the surgery yet. By conducting proteomic analysis of the ethmoidal sinus mucosa before and after surgery, differential proteins were selected, and bioinformatics analysis was conducted on the differentially expressed proteins. By using cytoHubba to identify hub genes and intersecting them with the genes related to chronic sinusitis, we found that MMP9 expression increased in non-type 2 CRS and type 2 CRS in sequence, while ACTC1 expression decreased in non-tpye 2 CRS and type 2 CRS in sequence. Conclusion:Reboot surgery can improve the postoperative symptoms and signs of patients, improve the pathological morphology of the mucosa, and influence the expression of protein after surgery. However, the surgery may not have a significant impact on the distribution of T cell subpopulations and inflammation signal pathway in the nasal mucosa.
Humans
;
Sinusitis/metabolism*
;
Nasal Polyps/metabolism*
;
Nasal Mucosa/ultrastructure*
;
Chronic Disease
;
Rhinitis/complications*
;
Inflammation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Postoperative Period
;
Adult
;
Interleukin-5/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-4/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
;
Proteomics
;
Rhinosinusitis
10.Electroacupuncture reduced airway inflammation by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways in allergic asthmatic rats.
Hongli MA ; Xiaowen LIU ; Huamei CAI ; Yun YAN ; Weixia LI ; Jing ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):702-712
BACKGROUND:
Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment is efficacious in patients with respiratory disorders, although the mechanisms of its action in lung-function protection are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the neuroanatomical mechanisms of EA stimulation at the BL13 acupoint (Feishu, EA-BL13) improvement in asthma.
METHODS:
Allergic asthma was induced by intranasal 2.0% ovalbumin (OVA) instillation combined with intraperitoneal injection of the 10.0% OVA. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff stain were used to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Cellular oncogene fos induction in neurons after EA stimulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The messenger RNA expression levels of adrenergic receptors were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:
EA improved airway inflammation and mucus secretion mainly by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways ( P <0.001). Briefly, the intermediolateral (IML) nuclei of the spinal cord received signals from somatic EA stimulation and then delivered the information via the sympathetic trunk to the lung. Excited sympathetic nerve endings in lung tissue released large amounts of catecholamines that specifically activated the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on T cells ( P <0.01) and further decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 ( P <0.001) through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway.
CONCLUSION
This study provided a new explanation and clinical basis for the use of EA-BL13 as a treatment for allergic asthma in both the attack and remission stages and other respiratory disorders related to airway inflammation.
Electroacupuncture/methods*
;
Animals
;
Asthma/immunology*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Inflammation/therapy*
;
Interleukin-4/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-5/metabolism*

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