1.Thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen for chronic lumbar muscle strain of cold dampness: a randomized controlled trial.
Mengzhong LI ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Wenjie LIANG ; Wenjie BAI ; Xiaoping LEI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(10):1421-1426
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the clinical efficacy between thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen and oral celecoxib in the treatment of chronic lumbar muscle strain with cold dampness.
METHODS:
A total of 80 patients with chronic lumbar muscle strain of cold dampness were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (40 cases, 2 cases were excluded). The observation group was treated with thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen (bilateral Shenshu [BL23], Dachangshu [BL25], Weizhong [BL40]), disperse-dense wave was selected, with a pulse cycle of 0.08 s, current intensity of 1-3 mA, with needles heated to approximately 45 ℃, the duration was 25 min per session, once a day. The control group was given oral celecoxib capsules, once daily, 200 mg each time. Six sessions as one course, with a 1-day interval between courses, 2 courses were required in both groups. The TCM syndrome score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score before and after treatment in both groups were compared. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected using ELISA method before and after treatment in both groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated in both groups after treatment.
RESULTS:
After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores, VAS scores, ODI scores and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, TXB2, CRP in both groups were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the JOA scores were increased (P<0.01);the TCM syndrome score, VAS score, ODI score and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, TXB2, CRP in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the JOA score was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of the observation group was 92.3% (36/39), which was superior to 78.9% (30/38) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen can alleviate pain symptom in patients with chronic lumbar muscle strain of cold dampness, regulate lumbar function, reduce the levels of inflammatory factors, and the therapeutic effect is superior to oral celecoxib.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Sprains and Strains/genetics*
;
Cold Temperature
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Young Adult
;
C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*
;
Chronic Disease/therapy*
;
Lumbosacral Region/physiopathology*
2.Antipyretic effects of ethanol extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bile from different sources.
Run ZOU ; Fa-Zhi SU ; En-Lin ZHU ; Chen-Xi BAI ; Yan-Ping SUN ; Hai-Xue KUANG ; Qiu-Hong WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1781-1791
This study aims to investigate the antipyretic effects and mechanisms of ethanol extracts from Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bile from different sources on a rat model of fever induced by a dry-yeast suspension. The rat model of fever was established by subcutaneous injection of 20% dry-yeast suspension into the rat back. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) in the serum, as well as prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) in the hypothalamus, were determined by ELISA. Metabolomics analysis was then performed on serum and hypothalamus samples based on UPLC-Q-TOF MS to explore the potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. The results showed that the body temperatures of rats significantly rose 4 h after modeling. After oral administration of high-dose ethanol extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bovine bile(NCH) and porcine bile(ZCH), the body temperatures of rats declined(P<0.05), and the NCH group showed better antipyretic effect than the ZCH group. Additionally, compared with the model group, the NCH and ZCH groups showed lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE_2, and cAMP(P<0.01). The results of serum and hypothalamus metabolomics analysis indicated that both NCH and ZCH exerted antipyretic effects by regulating phenylalanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Collectively, both NCH and ZCH can play an obvious antipyretic role in the rat model of dry yeast-induced fever, and the underlying mechanism might be closely associated with inhibiting inflammation and regulating metabolic disorders. Moreover, NCH demonstrates better antipyretic effect.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Male
;
Fermentation
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rhizome/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Bile/chemistry*
;
Antipyretics/chemistry*
;
Fever/metabolism*
;
Cattle
;
Swine
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Ethanol/chemistry*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Interleukin-1beta/blood*
3.Role of antibiotic eluting absorbable calcium sulfate in phaseⅠrevision treatment of periprosthetic knee infection.
Xiao-Bo CHEN ; Shuai-Lei LI ; Ai-Bin LIU ; Hao CHAI ; Yong-Qiang SUN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(6):580-586
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the role of antibiotic-eluting absorbable calcium sulfate in treating periprosthetic infection after one-stage revision of knee arthroplasty.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 36 patients(36 knees)who underwent phaseⅠrevision for periprosthesis infection after total knee arthroplasty from January 2018 to March 2022. All patients were underwent knee cavity puncture before operation and had positive results of aseptic body fluid culture, 21 patients received revision combined with antibiotic loaded calcium sulfate at stageⅠ(calcium sulfate group) during operation, and 15 patients underwent renovation at stageⅠ(revision group). There were 9 males and 12 females in calcium sulfate group, aged from 54 to 76 years old with an average of(67.6±6.2) years old. There were 15 patients in revision group, including 4 males and 11 females, aged from 60 to 75 years old with average of (69.6±4.1) years old. The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) at 7, 14, 30 and 90 days after operation were compared between two groups, and the rate of end-infection control at follow-up were compared. The systemic antibiotic application time, hospital stay and postoperative complications were observed between two groups.
RESULTS:
Calcium sulfate group were followed up for 12 to 29 months with an average of(18.9±4.2) months, and the infection control rate was 90.5%;while revision group were followed up 18 to 29 months with average of (21.6±3.7) months, and the infection control rate was 86.7% (13/15). There were no significant differences in follow-up time and infection control rate between two groups(P>0.05). Postoperative levels of CRP and IL-6 at 7, 14 and 30 days in calcium sulfate group were (32.79±11.48), (15.50±6.52), (9.36±3.32) mg·L-1 and (17.31±6.15) pg·ml-1, respectively;which were lower than those in revision group (40.65±11.32), (30.15±10.57), (18.97±5.86) mg·L-1 and (25.54±6.73) pg·ml-1, had statistical differences(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL-6 levels at 7 and 14 days after operation and CRP levels at 90 days after operation between two groups (P>0.05). The hospitalization time and systemic antibiotic application time in calcium sulfate group were (18.4±2.2) and (63.5±21.4) d, respectively;which were better than those in revision group (20.5±2.4) and (82.7±16.9) d, and had statistical differences(P<0.05). No significant wound complications and hypercalcemia were observed in calcium sulfate group.
CONCLUSION
Antibiotic eluted absorbable calcium sulfate could be used to treat periprosthetic knee infection, significantly reducing CRP levels in the early postoperative period, shortening hospital stay and systemic antibiotic application time, but it does not significantly improve the control rate of revision infection at stageⅠ.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Prosthesis-Related Infections/surgery*
;
Middle Aged
;
Calcium Sulfate/administration & dosage*
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*
;
Reoperation
;
Knee Prosthesis/adverse effects*
4.High mobility group protein B1(HMGB1) promotes myeloid dendritic cell maturation and increases Th17 cell/Treg cell ratio in patients with immune primary thrombocytopenia.
Qinzhi LI ; Dongsheng DUAN ; Xiujuan WANG ; Mingling SUN ; Ying LIU ; Xinyou WANG ; Lei WANG ; Wenxia FAN ; Mengting SONG ; Xinhong GUO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(1):45-50
Objective This study investigated the regulatory effect of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) on myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and Th17/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance. Methods The study enrolled 30 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 30 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of mDC, Th17, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of ITP patients and healthy controls. ELISA was conducted to quantify the serum levels of HMGB1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-23, IL-17, and transforming growth factor β(TGF-β). The mRNA levels of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) and forehead box P3(FOXP3) were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between the abovementioned cells, cytokines, and platelet count was assessed using Pearson linear correlation analysis. Results The proportion of Th17 cells and the expression levels of HMGB1, IL-6, IL-23, IL-17 and the level of RORγt mRNA in the peripheral blood of ITP patients were higher than those in healthy controls. However, the Treg cell proportion and TGF-β level were lower in ITP patients than those in healthy controls. In patients with ITP, the proportion of mDC and the level of FOXP3 mRNA did not show significant changes. The proportion of mDC cells was significantly correlated with the expression of IL-6 and IL-23. Moreover, the expression of HMGB1 showed a significant correlation with the expression of mDC, IL-6, IL-23, RORγt mRNA, and IL-17. Notably, both the proportion of mDC cells and the expression of HMGB1 were negatively correlated with platelet count. Conclusion The high expression of HMGB1 in peripheral blood of ITP patients may induce Th17/Treg imbalance by promoting the maturation of mDC and affecting the secretion of cytokines, thereby potentially playing a role in the immunological mechanism of ITP.
Humans
;
Th17 Cells/cytology*
;
HMGB1 Protein/genetics*
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Dendritic Cells/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/genetics*
;
Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/genetics*
;
Young Adult
;
Interleukin-23/blood*
;
Interleukin-17/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Myeloid Cells/cytology*
;
Aged
5.Research on the anti-inflammatory effects of a novel sleep-aid decoction on elderly insomnia patients across traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types.
Zhen WU ; Zhuoqiong BIAN ; Ailin CHEN ; Qiuping ZHANG ; Jie LI ; Hui ZHOU ; Hongying ZHU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(11):1007-1012
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel sleep-aid decoction in treating elderly insomnia patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types, and its effects on neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels. Methods A total of 200 patients with four different TCM constitutions-peaceful, Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient-were recruited. Peripheral blood neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels were measured for variations among insomnia patients across different constitutions. These patients were treated using the novel sleep-aid decoction, the effects of which were evaluated based on changes in neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors. Results Compared to the peaceful constitution group, insomnia patients with Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient constitutions exhibited significantly elevated baseline levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA) and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP). Following the treatment, the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient groups showed a marked increase in 5-HT levels, restored balance of Glu, GABA, and melatonin, and significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The overall effective rate was 83.5%, with optimal efficacy observed in the Qi-deficient (97.72%) and Yin-deficient (95.34%) groups. Conclusion The novel sleep-aid decoction is effective in treating insomnia in elderly patients, with the best results observed in the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient constitution groups.
Humans
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood*
;
Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Middle Aged
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical/therapeutic use*
;
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Interleukin-1beta/blood*
;
Neurotransmitter Agents/blood*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*
6.Expression of CSF-1/CSF-1R in the Peripheral Blood of Children with Immune Thrombocytopenia and Its Clinical Significance.
Dan-Lu LI ; Hai-Chen SONG ; Yong-Feng CHENG ; Mei YAN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1131-1137
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the expression of CSF-1 and CSF-1R in the peripheral blood of children with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its clinical significance.
METHODS:
Forty-four children with ITP treated in our hospital from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the observation group, and 40 healthy children were selected as the control group during the same period, and relevant clinical data were collected. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with ITP and healthy children were separated, and the plasma levels of M1 macrophage-associated cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), M2 macrophage-associated cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β), and CSF-1 were detected by ELISA in the children of both groups. The mRNA levels of M1 macrophage surface markers (CD86, iNOS), M2 macrophage surface markers (CD206, Arg-1) and CSF-1R were detected by RT-PCR in PBMC of children in both groups. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CSF-1R protein in PBMC of the two groups of children. The correlation between platelet count and CSF-1R mRNA expression in PBMC, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β and CSF-1 in plasma was analyzed.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the levels of IL-10, TGF-β, CSF-1 and platelet count in plasma of children with ITP were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased (P < 0.01); the mRNA levels of the M1 macrophage surface markers (CD86, iNOS) in PBMC of children with ITP were significantly increased (P < 0.05), mRNA levels of M2 macrophage surface marker CD206 in PBMC of children with ITP were decreased compared with controls but the difference was not statistically significant ( P >0.05), mRNA levels of Arg-1 were decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of CSF-1R in PBMC of ITP children were higher than that in controls. CSF-1R expression in PBMC of ITP was positively correlated with platelet count, IL-10, CSF-1 were positively correlated (r =0.822,0.481,0.405).
CONCLUSION
CSF-1 is significantly reduced in the plasma of ITP, and CSF-1R mRNA and protein expression is significantly elevated in PBMC of ITP, which are involved in the regulation of macrophage M1/M2 imbalance, and could serve as a potential therapeutic target for ITP.
Humans
;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/blood*
;
Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism*
;
Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism*
;
Child
;
Interleukin-10/blood*
;
Macrophages/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta/blood*
;
Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism*
;
Clinical Relevance
7.The Expression and Significance of PD-1, Th1, Th2, and Th17 Cytokines in Multiple Myeloma.
Di LIU ; Qian CHEN ; Ling LI ; Hua-Xin JIANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1366-1373
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the expression and clinical significance of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1), Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in multiple myeloma (MM).
METHODS:
A total of 76 MM patients treated in the Tengzhou Central People's Hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were collected as MM group, and 48 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period were included as control group. The expression of PD-1 on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the levels of serum Th1 cytokines [interleukin (IL) -2, interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)], Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) and Th17 cytokines (IL-17) were detected in the two groups. Spearman correlation was used to examine the relationship between PD-1, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines and clinical stage and immune typing of MM patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy in MM patients, and the factors were tested for multicollinearity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of PD-1, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines in chemotherapy efficacy of MM patients.
RESULTS:
The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in the MM group were higher than those in the control group, while the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were lower (all P <0.001). The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in R-ISS stage III patients were higher than those in stage II and I patients, and the levels in stage II patients were higher than those in stage I patients (all P <0.05). The IL-2 level in R-ISS stage III patients was lower than that in stage II and I patients, and IL-2 level in R-ISS stage II patients was lower than that in stage I patients (all P <0.05). The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in IgG patients were higher than those in IgA, light chain, and non secretory patients, while the level of IL-2 was lower (all P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 were positively correlated with R-ISS staging in MM patients (r =0.623, 0.635, 0.728, 0.330, 0.742, 0.412), and negatively correlated with immune classification (r =-0.664, -0.756, -0.642, -0.479, -0.613, -0.323). IL-2 was negatively correlated with R-ISS staging in MM patients (r =-0.280), and positively correlated with immune classification (r =0.483). The levels of CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in the non-remission group were higher than those in the remission group, while the level of IL-2 was lower (all P <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increased CD4+T PD-1, CD8+T PD-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were risk factors for the efficacy of chemotherapy in MM patients (OR >1, P <0.05), while the increased IL-2 was a protective factor (OR < 1, P <0.05). The results of multicollinearity test showed that the tolerance of the seven factors included was between 0.714-0.885, and the variance inflation factor was between 1.130-1.400. There was no multicollinearity. The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve for the combined prediction of chemotherapy efficacy in MM patients by the above 7 factors was 0.942, with specificity of 0.741 and sensitivity of 0.909.
CONCLUSION
The expression levels of PD-1 on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and serum Th2 and Th17 cytokines in MM patients are high, while Th1 cytokines are low. PD-1, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines are related to clinical stage and immune classification of MM patients. The combined detection of these indicators can help predict the chemotherapy efficacy of MM patients.
Humans
;
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism*
;
Multiple Myeloma/blood*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
Th17 Cells/metabolism*
;
Th1 Cells/metabolism*
;
Th2 Cells/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Interleukin-10
;
Interferon-gamma
;
Middle Aged
;
Interleukin-17
;
Interleukin-2
;
Interleukin-4
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
;
Interleukin-6
;
Aged
8.Clinical Effects of Thread-Dragging Therapy on Gangrene of Non-ischemic Diabetic Foot Ulcers.
Fang-Fang WU ; Jie WANG ; Guo-Bin LIU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(6):552-557
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical effects of thread-dragging therapy on gangrene of non-ischemic diabetic foot ulcers (NIDFU).
METHODS:
A total of 136 patients with NIDFU were recruited from the Department of Peripheral Vascular Surgery, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 21, 2021 and February 1, 2023, and randomized into an intervention group and a control group, with 68 cases in each group. Both groups received basic treatment. The intervention group was treated with thread-dragging therapy, while the control group was treated with debridement combined with routine dressing changes after surgery. Both groups were treated continuously for 2 months. The amputation rates and changes in the ulcer area were compared between the groups. The inflammatory response index including peripheral white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil percentage (NEUT%), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:
After treatment, the ulcer areas in the intervention group were significantly smaller than that of the control group (8.50±3.88 cm2 vs. 10.11±4.61 cm2, P<0.05). The amputation rates of the two groups were not statistically significant (4.4% vs. 5.9%, P>0.05). Differences of WBCs count, CRP, and ESR before and after therapy in the intervention group were better than the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in changes of NEUT%, PCT, and IL-6 between the two groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Thread-dragging therapy may be effective in the treatment of NIDFU, with the additional advantages of less tissue damage after healing. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100047496).
Humans
;
Diabetic Foot/blood*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Gangrene/therapy*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Aged
;
C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*
;
Amputation, Surgical
;
Wound Healing
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
9.Schistosoma japonicum cystatin has protective effects against "two-hit" sepsis in mice by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment.
Wenjuan DUO ; Yixiang WANG ; Jiaxing WANG ; Xinlong XU ; Linxian LI ; Dongchen YANG ; Qili SHEN ; Lichun YANG ; Xiaojing LIU ; Qiwang JING ; Liang CHU ; Xiaodi YANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):110-117
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the protective effect of Schistosoma japonicum cystatin (rSj-Cystatin) in a mouse mode of "two-hit" sepsis.
METHODS:
Sixty male C57BL/6 mice randomized equally into sham-operated group, protein group, "two-hit" modeling group, and protein intervention group. In the former two groups, the mice received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL PBS followed by exposure of the cecum and then by intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL PBS or 25 μg rSj-Cystatin 30 min later; In the latter two groups, 100 μL PBS containing LPS (5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 24 h before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and 100 μL PBS or 25 μg rSj-Cystatin were injected 30 min after CLP. At 12 h after rSj-Cystatin treatment, 6 mice from each group were sacrificed for detection of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, iNOS and Arg-1 in the serum, spleen, liver, lung and kidney tissues using ELISA, for examinations of liver, lung and kidney pathologies with HE staining, and for analysis of CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell percentage in the spleen using flow cytometry. The remaining mice were observed for general condition and 72-h survival.
RESULTS:
The 72-h survival rates in the 4 groups were 100%, 100%, 0% and 20%, respectively, showing significant differences between the latter two groups. The mouse models of "two-hit" sepsis exhibited obvious tissue pathologies and significant elevations of TNF-α and IL-6 in both the serum and tissue homogenate, which were significantly ameliorated by rSj-Cystatin treatment. Treatment with rSj-Cystatin also increased IL-10 and TGF-β levels and spleen CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell percentage. The septic mouse models also showed increased iNOS levels in all the detected tissues and a decreased Arg-1 level in the kidney, and these changes were obviously improved by rSj-Cystatin treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
rSj-Cystatin has a protective effect against "two-hit" sepsis in mice by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Sepsis/drug therapy*
;
Male
;
Schistosoma japonicum/chemistry*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Cystatins/therapeutic use*
;
Interleukin-10/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*
10.Molecular mechanism of Xixian Pills for improving rheumatoid arthritis in rats: a proteomic analysis.
Yahui LI ; Xin YANG ; Xueming YAO ; Cong HUANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2330-2339
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the molecular mechanism of Xixian Pills for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
Forty-eight rats were randomized into 6 groups (n=8), including a normal control group, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model group, 3 Xixian Pills treatment (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) groups, and a Tripterygium glycosides tablet (TGT) treatment group. In the latter 4 groups, the rats were treated with daily gavage of Xixian Pills or TGT 2 weeks after CIA modeling for 3 consecutive weeks. The differentially expressed proteins in high-dose Xixian Pills group and the model group compared with the normal control group were screened based on the tandem mass spectrometry tag (TMT) technology, and the core targets and signaling pathways were analyzed. The immune cell infiltration and gene expression data were analyzed using ggplot2 and tidyverse packages, and the correlation coefficients between the core targets and the immune cells were calculated.
RESULTS:
The CIA rats showed significantly increased serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and lowered serum IL-10 level. Treatments with high- and medium-dose Xixian Pills and TGT all significantly reduced serum TNF‑α and IL-6 and increased IL-10 levels in CIA rats. Proteomic analysis identified 160 differential proteins between the model group and high-dose Xixian Pills group, and the core targets included CCL5, STAT1, GZMB and IL7R. The areas under the ROC curve of CCL5 and STAT1 were both greater than 0.9. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining revealed increased levels of CCL5 and STAT1 in the ankle joints of CIA rats, which were significantly decreased after treatment with Xixian Pills.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with Xixian Pills offers protection of the joints in CIA rats possibly by inhibiting joint inflammation via regulating protein expressions of CCL5 and STAT1.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Rats
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism*
;
Proteomics
;
Tripterygium/chemistry*
;
Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Interleukin-10/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Signal Transduction

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