ObjectiveTo dynamically observe the clinical symptoms and pathological changes in a rat model of vinorelbine-induced phlebitis via injection into the dorsalis pedis vein. MethodsTwenty-eight 11-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=20) and a control group (n=8). The model group received a single injection of 0.1 mL vinorelbine solution (4 mg/mL) via the right hind limb dorsalis pedis vein, while the control group received an equal volume of normal saline via the same method. The occurrence and grading of phlebitis in both groups were observed and recorded daily. The volume of the injured limb was measured by the drainage method to calculate the swelling rate. The weight-bearing ratio of the injured limb was assessed using a bipedal balance pain meter, and the skin temperature of the injured limb was measured by infrared thermal imaging. These measurements were conducted for 9 consecutive days. Starting from day 1, three rats from the model group were euthanized every other day. A 1-cm segment of the vein extending proximally from the injection site was collected. Pathological changes in the vein tissue were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and ultrastructural changes of the vascular endothelium were observed using scanning electron microscopy. ResultsCompared to the control group, the injected hindlimb of model rats showed redness and swelling on day 1, with the swelling rate peaking at (81.89±15.75) % on day 3 (P<0.001), then gradually alleviating and decreasing to (15.41±0.33) % by day 9 (P<0.01). Pain was observed in the affected limbs of model rats on day 1 and worsened markedly on day 3, with the weight-bearing ratio decreasing to (36.35±4.91)% (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the skin temperature of the lesion site increased, reaching (36.36±0.40) ℃ on day 5 (P<0.001). Both pain and fever returned to near normal levels by day 9. Phlebitis grading in the model group showed that 75.0% of rats were grade Ⅱ on day 1; grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ each accounted for 37.5% on day 3; from days 5 to 9, most rats exhibited cord-like veins, predominantly grade III. Venous tissue showed peripheral edema and inflammatory cell infiltration on day 1, which gradually progressed to intimal rupture, vessel wall thickening, and even lumen narrowing from day 3 to 9. The venous intima exhibited destruction of tight junctions between endothelial cells and adhesion of blood cells, progressing to roughened, wrinkled, and protruding intimal surfaces. ConclusionThe vinorelbine-induced phlebitis of dorsal foot vein in rat model is characterized by local redness, swelling, warmth, and pain from days 3 to 5, which largely resolve by day 9, although cord-like veins can still be observed. With disease progression, venous tissue develops edema, vessel wall thickening, and lumen narrowing. The venous intima shows rupture, roughening, and in some cases, complete loss.

ObjectiveTo dynamically observe the clinical symptoms and pathological changes in a rat model of vinorelbine-induced phlebitis via injection into the dorsalis pedis vein. MethodsTwenty-eight 11-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=20) and a control group (n=8). The model group received a single injection of 0.1 mL vinorelbine solution (4 mg/mL) via the right hind limb dorsalis pedis vein, while the control group received an equal volume of normal saline via the same method. The occurrence and grading of phlebitis in both groups were observed and recorded daily. The volume of the injured limb was measured by the drainage method to calculate the swelling rate. The weight-bearing ratio of the injured limb was assessed using a bipedal balance pain meter, and the skin temperature of the injured limb was measured by infrared thermal imaging. These measurements were conducted for 9 consecutive days. Starting from day 1, three rats from the model group were euthanized every other day. A 1-cm segment of the vein extending proximally from the injection site was collected. Pathological changes in the vein tissue were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and ultrastructural changes of the vascular endothelium were observed using scanning electron microscopy. ResultsCompared to the control group, the injected hindlimb of model rats showed redness and swelling on day 1, with the swelling rate peaking at (81.89±15.75) % on day 3 (P<0.001), then gradually alleviating and decreasing to (15.41±0.33) % by day 9 (P<0.01). Pain was observed in the affected limbs of model rats on day 1 and worsened markedly on day 3, with the weight-bearing ratio decreasing to (36.35±4.91)% (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the skin temperature of the lesion site increased, reaching (36.36±0.40) ℃ on day 5 (P<0.001). Both pain and fever returned to near normal levels by day 9. Phlebitis grading in the model group showed that 75.0% of rats were grade Ⅱ on day 1; grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ each accounted for 37.5% on day 3; from days 5 to 9, most rats exhibited cord-like veins, predominantly grade III. Venous tissue showed peripheral edema and inflammatory cell infiltration on day 1, which gradually progressed to intimal rupture, vessel wall thickening, and even lumen narrowing from day 3 to 9. The venous intima exhibited destruction of tight junctions between endothelial cells and adhesion of blood cells, progressing to roughened, wrinkled, and protruding intimal surfaces. ConclusionThe vinorelbine-induced phlebitis of dorsal foot vein in rat model is characterized by local redness, swelling, warmth, and pain from days 3 to 5, which largely resolve by day 9, although cord-like veins can still be observed. With disease progression, venous tissue develops edema, vessel wall thickening, and lumen narrowing. The venous intima shows rupture, roughening, and in some cases, complete loss.

Objective Using network pharmacology research methods and animal pharmacology experiments,explore the mechanism of antidepressant effects of traditional Chinese medicine Citron and Bergamot.Methods Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),ETCM,Symmap,Swiss Target Prediction,and Uniprot data platforms,screen the active ingredients and corresponding gene targets of Citron and Bergamot.Obtain depression gene targets using OMIM,TTD,and Cenecards data platforms.Using Venny 2.1 online software,draw Venn diagrams of the intersection of active ingredients and gene targets.Draw network diagrams between drugs,active ingredients,targets,and diseases using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software.Construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network diagram using the STRING data platform for intersecting genes.Using the Metascape data platform,perform gene ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genesand and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.A rat depression model was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)combined with solitary care,and animal experiments were conducted to verify the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway obtained from network pharmacology research.Results The research results of network pharmacology methods show that there are 57 antidepressant active ingredients in Citron,65 antidepressant active ingredients in Bergamot,and important active ingredients include Acetic acid,3,4,7-trimethoxycoumarin and Citric acid,etc.Through the data platform,2717 depression targets and 430 intersection targets were identified.Through PPI network analysis,key gene targets for antidepressant effects in Citron and Bergamot were identified,including TP53,Protein kinase B1,CREB-binding protein,Brain derived neurotrophic factor,etc.Through KEGG analysis,it was found that important signaling pathways include pathways in cancer,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Neurotrophin signaling pathway,etc.By observing the neurotrophic factor BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway in depressed rats,the results showed that the medium dose groups of Citron and Bergamot could significantly increase serum BDNF content(P<0.05),and each treatment group could improve the damage of hippocampal neurons in rats.The high and medium dose groups of Citron and Bergamot significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampal CA1 region(P<0.05,P<0.01).Except for the low-dose group,which showed no difference in TrkB mRNA gene expression,all other treatment groups significantly increased the mRNA gene expression levels of hippocampal BDNF,TrkB and CREB(P<0.01).The medium dose group of Citron and Bergamot increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus(P<0.01),while the medium and low dose groups significantly increased the relative expression of TrkB protein in the hippocampus(P<0.05).The medium dose group showed an increasing trend in the relative expression of CREB protein.Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine Citron and Bergamot have therapeutic effects on depression models in rats,and the mechanism of action may be related to the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway.

Objective Using network pharmacology research methods and animal pharmacology experiments,explore the mechanism of antidepressant effects of traditional Chinese medicine Citron and Bergamot.Methods Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),ETCM,Symmap,Swiss Target Prediction,and Uniprot data platforms,screen the active ingredients and corresponding gene targets of Citron and Bergamot.Obtain depression gene targets using OMIM,TTD,and Cenecards data platforms.Using Venny 2.1 online software,draw Venn diagrams of the intersection of active ingredients and gene targets.Draw network diagrams between drugs,active ingredients,targets,and diseases using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software.Construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network diagram using the STRING data platform for intersecting genes.Using the Metascape data platform,perform gene ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genesand and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.A rat depression model was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)combined with solitary care,and animal experiments were conducted to verify the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway obtained from network pharmacology research.Results The research results of network pharmacology methods show that there are 57 antidepressant active ingredients in Citron,65 antidepressant active ingredients in Bergamot,and important active ingredients include Acetic acid,3,4,7-trimethoxycoumarin and Citric acid,etc.Through the data platform,2717 depression targets and 430 intersection targets were identified.Through PPI network analysis,key gene targets for antidepressant effects in Citron and Bergamot were identified,including TP53,Protein kinase B1,CREB-binding protein,Brain derived neurotrophic factor,etc.Through KEGG analysis,it was found that important signaling pathways include pathways in cancer,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Neurotrophin signaling pathway,etc.By observing the neurotrophic factor BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway in depressed rats,the results showed that the medium dose groups of Citron and Bergamot could significantly increase serum BDNF content(P<0.05),and each treatment group could improve the damage of hippocampal neurons in rats.The high and medium dose groups of Citron and Bergamot significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampal CA1 region(P<0.05,P<0.01).Except for the low-dose group,which showed no difference in TrkB mRNA gene expression,all other treatment groups significantly increased the mRNA gene expression levels of hippocampal BDNF,TrkB and CREB(P<0.01).The medium dose group of Citron and Bergamot increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus(P<0.01),while the medium and low dose groups significantly increased the relative expression of TrkB protein in the hippocampus(P<0.05).The medium dose group showed an increasing trend in the relative expression of CREB protein.Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine Citron and Bergamot have therapeutic effects on depression models in rats,and the mechanism of action may be related to the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway.

AIM:To explore the molecular mechanism of Tiaopi Chengqi decoction (TpCqD) improving hyperthermia and high-protein food-induced hyperphagia mice based on transcriptomics. METHODS:C57 mice were randomly divided into a control group, model group, low-dose TpCqD group, high-dose TpCqD group, and domperidone group. The general condition of the experimental mice was observed and the average food intake was counted, and the rate of gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion was determined for each group of mice. H&E staining was used to observe pathological changes in gastric tissue. PAS staining was used to observe glycogen changes in gastric tissue. Pepsin activity was determined by colorimetry. pH value of gastric contents was measured by acid-base titration. Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the differential genes in gastric tissue, a volcano map and a cluster heat map were made for the differential genes, and KEGG was used to analyze the signal pathway enrichment of the differential genes. RT-qPCR verified the differential genes obtained by screening. RESULTS:After treatment with TpCqD, the body weight and average food intake of mice with food accumulation increased (P<0.05), and the intestinal propulsion rate and gastric emptying speed of mice with food accumulation accelerated (P<0.05). TpCqD could protect gastric tissue structure and glycogen degradation, increase pepsin activity (P<0.05), and reduce gastric content pH (P<0.05). Transcriptome results showed that TpCqD could regulate the expression of Acox2 and cilp2, regulate fat digestion and absorption, protein digestion and absorption, and pancreatic secretion signals. RT-qPCR showed that compare with model group, TpCqD up-regulated Acox2 (P<0.05) and down-regulated the mRNA level of cilp2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:TpCqD ameliorated digestive dysfunction in mice with high-calorie and high-protein diets leading to food accumulation involving the regulation of the fat and sugar metabolism genes Acox2 and cilp2, and pancreatic secretory signaling.

This study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of isopimpinelline against para-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)-induced pineal gland damage in rats.Forty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into four groups(n=10 each):a normal group,a model group,a melatonin-treated group(10 mg/kg),and an isopimpinelline-treated group(1.5 mg/kg).All groups,except for the normal,received intraperitoneal injection of PCPA(450 mg/kg)to induce pineal gland damage.Subsequent treatments were administered orally for 7 days.Sleep latency and duration were evaluated on the sixth day using the pentobarbital sodium sleep synergy test.After the treatment period,serum melatonin levels and pineal gland inflammation markers were assessed alongside oxidative and antioxidative parameters.Histological examinations of the pineal gland were conducted,and the expression of proteins related to the Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling pathways were quantified.Data showed that isopimpinelline alleviates the structural damage in the pineal gland of model rats,significantly elevated serum melatonin levels,and markedly improved sleep latency and duration(P＜0.05).Isopimpinelline activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway by inhibiting Keap1 expression,which facilitated the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and upregulated the antioxidant proteins NQO1 and HO-1,thereby mitigating oxidative stress in the pineal gland(P＜0.05).Furthermore,isopimpinelline significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2,TNF-α and IL-6.Isopimpinelline also suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway,reducing the expression of NF-κB p65,IKKβ,and p-IKKβ proteins,as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65(P＜0.05),thereby providing anti-inflammatory benefits.In conclusion,isopimpinelline could protect pineal gland from damage by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

Scavenger receptor class B, member 2 (SCARB2) is linked to Gaucher disease and Parkinson's disease. Deficiency in the SCARB2 gene causes progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME), a rare group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases characterized by myoclonus. We found that Scarb2 deficiency in mice leads to age-dependent dietary lipid malabsorption, accompanied with vitamin E deficiency. Our investigation revealed that Scarb2 deficiency is associated with gut dysbiosis and an altered bile acid pool, leading to hyperactivation of FXR in intestine. Hyperactivation of FXR impairs epithelium renewal and lipid absorption. Patients with SCARB2 mutations have a severe reduction in their vitamin E levels and cannot absorb dietary vitamin E. Finally, inhibiting FXR or supplementing vitamin E ameliorates the neuromotor impairment and neuropathy in Scarb2 knockout mice. These data indicate that gastrointestinal dysfunction is associated with SCARB2 deficiency-related neurodegeneration, and SCARB2-associated neurodegeneration can be improved by addressing the nutrition deficits and gastrointestinal issues.
Animals ; Mice ; Dysbiosis/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Humans ; Lysosomal Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Receptors, Scavenger/genetics* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive/genetics* ; Vitamin E Deficiency/complications* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Male ; Lipid Metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology*

OBJECTIVE To study the quality of Codonopsis pilosula with different commodity specification grades， and to provide the data support for market transactions， scientific research and clinical use. METHODS According to the classification standard of commodity specification grades of C. pilosula， 17 batches of C. pilosula from different producing areas， origins and commodity specification grades were collected. The contents of tangshenoside Ⅰ， lobetyolin and atractylenolide Ⅲ were determined by HPLC. The contents of alcohol-soluble extracts were determined by hot dipping method stated in general rule 2201 of Chinese Pharmacopeia （part Ⅳ）. The contents of polysaccharide were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method （calculated by D-glucose anhydrous）. RESULTS For cultivar of C. pilosula， four specifications and three commodity grades of C. pilosula all contained tangshenoside Ⅰ and lobetyolin； Radix C. pilosula from Shanxi of China and C. pilosula from Wenxian County of China， also contained atractylenolide Ⅲ. In terms of the contents of tangshenoside Ⅰ， lobetyolin and atractylenolide Ⅲ， the content of second class was equivalent to that of first class， even better than the first class， while the content of third class was lower than that of first class and second class； the content of tangshenoside Ⅰ was the highest among the two types of wild C. pilosula. The contents of alcohol-soluble extracts and polysaccharides in first class cultivated C. pilosula were higher than those of second class， and the second class was higher than the third class； wild C. pilosula had low content of alcohol-soluble extracts and polysaccharides. CONCLUSIONS The internal quality of C. pilosula is basically consistent with the classification standard of different commodity specification grades； the content of each indicator in first-class and second-class medicinal herb is high， making them high-quality medicinal herbs.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumor of biliary tract. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a natural compound with chalcone structure extracted from the roots of licorice and other plants. Relevant studies have shown that ISL has a strong anti-tumor ability in various types of tumors. However, the research of ISL against GBC has not been reported, which needs to be further investigated. METHODS: The effects of ISL against GBC cells in vitro and in vivo were characterized by cytotoxicity test, RNA-sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, lipid peroxidation detection, ferrous ion detection, glutathione disulphide/glutathione (GSSG/GSH) detection, lentivirus transfection, nude mice tumorigenesis experiment and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: ISL significantly inhibited the proliferation of GBC cells in vitro . The results of transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that ferroptosis was the main pathway of ISL inhibiting the proliferation of GBC, and HMOX1 and GPX4 were the key molecules of ISL-induced ferroptosis. Knockdown of HMOX1 or overexpression of GPX4 can reduce the sensitivity of GBC cells to ISL-induced ferroptosis and significantly restore the viability of GBC cells. Moreover, ISL significantly reversed the iron content, ROS level, lipid peroxidation level and GSSG/GSH ratio of GBC cells. Finally, ISL significantly inhibited the growth of GBC in vivo and regulated the ferroptosis of GBC by mediating HMOX1 and GPX4 . CONCLUSION ISL induced ferroptosis in GBC mainly by activating p62-Keap1-Nrf2-HMOX1 signaling pathway and down-regulating GPX4 in vitro and in vivo . This evidence may provide a new direction for the treatment of GBC.
Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Ferroptosis ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics* ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 ; Mice, Nude ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Humans

ObjectiveTo investigate the biological function and molecular mechanism of long non-coding RNA Linc‑pint in colorectal cancer. MethodsQuantitative real‑time quantitative （qRT‑PCR） was performed to detect the expression level of Linc‑pint in 31 pairs of colorectal cancer tumor and adjacent normal tissues； correlation between the expression level of Linc‑pint and the clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed by the chi‑square test. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the relationship between Linc‑pint expression level and the prognosis of patients. Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis of patients. Expression level of Linc‑pint were detected by qRT‑PCR in 5 common colorectal cancer cell lines. Effect of Linc‑pint on cell proliferation， invasion and migration was measured by cell counting kit‑8 assay， Transwell assay and harvested xenografts from nude mice. qRT‑PCR was performed to detect the expression level of Linc‑pint's target gene micro RNA（miR）‑21 in 31 pairs of colorectal cancer tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between Linc‑pint and miR‑21. qRT‑PCR was used to detect the expression of overexpression of Linc‑pint on miR‑21 in colorectal cancer cells. ResultsExpression level of Linc‑pint in normal tissues （3.95±1.16） was significantly higher than that in colorectal cancer tissues （2.74±0.95） （t=6.17， P<0.05）. Overall survival rate of patients with high expression of Linc‑pint was 62.5%， which was significantly higher than that of patients with low expression of Linc‑pint （34.3%， P<0.05）. The proliferation， invasion and migration of CRC cells were inhibited after overexpression of Linc‑pint. In colorectal cancer tumor and adjacent normal tissues， Linc‑pint and miR‑21 showed opposite expression in tumor tissues and were negatively correlated （r=-0.288 and -0.908， both P<0.05）. ConclusionLinc‑pint acts as a tumor suppressor by down‑regulating the expression level of miR‑21 to inhibit the proliferation， invasion and migration of colorectal cancer.