1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Monitoring results of mosquito-ovitraps placed in different orientations in multi-storey residential areas
Caixiong LIU ; Bin GE ; Haibing ZHANG ; Lin WANG ; Tao YANG ; Yujiao WEI ; Haiying XIE ; Yu ZHANG ; Hongxia LIU ; Juntao SHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):109-113
ObjectiveTo find out whether there is any difference in the monitoring results of mosq-ovitraps placed in different orientations in multi-storey residential areas, so as to provide a scientific basis for routine and emergency monitoring of Aedes albopictus with mosq-ovitraps in residential areas. MethodsFrom July 6th to October 26th 2023, one mosquito ovitrap was set up in each of the 4 orientations of east, south, west and north around the buildings in a multi-storey residential area in Jinhui Town, Fengxian District, Shanghai. Data was collected and recorded 72 hours after placement. The chi-square test was used to compare the mosquito ovitrap indices (MOIs) of two independent samples, and the Kruskal⁃Wallis H test was used to compare the MOIs of multiple independent samples. ResultsAfter 16 weeks of surveillance, 997 mosquito ovitraps were recovered, of which 211 were positive, with the mosquito ovitrap index (MOI) of 21.16% and the Aedes albopictus density index of 1.03 mosquitoes·ovitrap-1. The MOIs were higher in September (24.22%) and October (23.96%), and the MOIs in the west, south and north within the two months were all above 20.00%. From July to October, the MOIs in the east, west, south and north were 20.70%, 22.20%, 25.50% and 16.20%, respectively, and the difference in MOIs among the 4 orientations was not statistically significant (χ2=6.647, P=0.084). Stratified analysis by month showed that in August, the south side of the multi-storey residential areas had the highest MOI (31.30%), the north side had the lowest MOI (1.30%), and there was a statistically significant difference in MOI in the east, west, south and north (χ2=25.986, P<0.001). In October, the MOI in the west was the highest (33.30%) and the MOI in the east was the lowest (6.30%), the difference in MOIs of the 4 orientations was statistically significant (χ2=12.007, P=0.007). The MOIs in the south side of the building in the outskirts of the residential area from the 1st week in July to the 4th week in October was lower (19.20%) than that in the south side of the inner building (31.70%), and the difference in MOI was statistically significant (χ2=5.118, P=0.024). ConclusionThe study of MOI in different orientations in a multi-storey residential area is a preliminary exploration based on field work, and the results show that there is a difference in MOIs in different orientations during the peak breeding period of mosquitoes. Further indicators such as temperature, humidity and wind speed in different orientations can be collected to explore the influencing factors of MOIs.
3.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
4.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
5.Expression and prognostic value of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in patients with cirrhotic ascites and intra-abdominal infection
Feng WEI ; Xinyan YUE ; Xiling LIU ; Huimin YAN ; Lin LIN ; Tao HUANG ; Yantao PEI ; Shixiang SHAO ; Erhei DAI ; Wenfang YUAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):914-920
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression level of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhotic ascites, and to investigate its correlation with clinical features and inflammatory markers and its role in the diagnosis of infection and prognostic evaluation. MethodsA total of 110 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were hospitalized in The Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of intra-abdominal infection, they were divided into infection group with 72 patients and non-infection group with 38 patients. The patients with infection were further divided into improvement group with 38 patients and non-improvement group with 34 patients. Clinical data and laboratory markers were collected from all patients. Serum and ascites samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure the level of TREM-1. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between indicators. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of each indicator, and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsThe level of TREM-1 in ascites was significantly positively correlated with that in serum (r=0.50, P<0.001). Compared with the improvement group, the non-improvement group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-2.391, P=0.017) and serum (Z=-2.544, P=0.011), and compared with the non-infection group, the infection group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-3.420, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in the level of TREM-1 in serum between the two groups (P>0.05). The level of TREM-1 in serum and ascites were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (r=0.288, 0.344, 0.530, 0.510, 0.534, 0.454, 0.330, and 0.404, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that when PCT, CRP, and serum or ascitic TREM-1 were used in combination for the diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites with infection, the AUCs were 0.715 and 0.740, respectively. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP (odds ratio [OR]=1.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001 — 1.038, P=0.043) and serum TREM-1 (OR=1.002, 95%CI: 1.000 — 1.003, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection, and the combination of these two indicators had an AUC of 0.728 in predicting poor prognosis. ConclusionThe level of TREM-1 is closely associated with the severity of infection and prognosis in patients with cirrhotic ascites, and combined measurement of TREM-1 and CRP/PCT can improve the diagnostic accuracy of infection and provide support for prognostic evaluation.
6.Progress in preclinical studies of xenogeneic lung transplantation and single-center technical experience
Xiaoting TAO ; Xinzhong NING ; Yong LIU ; Guimei ZHANG ; He XIAO ; Shiyu LIN ; Zizi ZHOU ; Taiyun WEI ; Chunxiao HU ; Hongjiang WEI ; Kun QIAO
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(6):874-880
Lung transplantation is the ultimate therapeutic option for end-stage pulmonary diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumoconiosis. Currently, the shortage of allogeneic lung donors significantly limits the opportunity for end-stage lung disease patients to receive lung transplantation. In recent years, with the rapid development of biomedical engineering technologies, especially the major breakthroughs in genetic modification and cloning, xenogeneic lung transplantation has shown important potential for clinical translation. Among them, genetically modified pigs have become the most promising xenogeneic lung source due to the close similarity of organ size and physiological characteristics to humans, and the ability to perform targeted gene knockouts (such as α-Gal antigen knockout) to reduce the occurrence of hyperacute rejection. This article focuses on the research progress of porcine xenogeneic lung transplantation, systematically reviews the latest achievements and challenges in animal experiments and human trials, and introduces the technical experience accumulated by Shenzhen Third People's Hospital in the porcine-to-monkey xenogeneic lung transplantation model, in the hope of providing practical references for future research in this field.
7.Cancer therapy-related interstitial lung disease.
Chengzhi ZHOU ; Haiyi DENG ; Yilin YANG ; Fei WANG ; Xinqing LIN ; Ming LIU ; Xiaohong XIE ; Tao LUAN ; Nanshan ZHONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):264-277
With the increasing utilization of cancer therapy, the incidence of lung injury associated with these treatments continues to rise. The recognition of pulmonary toxicity related to cancer therapy has become increasingly critical, for which interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common cause of mortality. Cancer therapy-related ILD (CT-ILD) can result from a variety of treatments including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and radiotherapy. CT-ILD may progress rapidly and even be life-threatening; therefore, prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial for effective management. This review aims to provide valuable information on the risk factors associated with CT-ILD; elucidate its underlying mechanisms; discuss its clinical features, imaging, and histological manifestations; and emphasize the clinical-related views of its diagnosis. In addition, this review provides an overview of grading, typing, and staging treatment strategies used for the management of CT-ILD.
Humans
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Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis*
;
Neoplasms/therapy*
;
Risk Factors
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects*
;
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*
8.Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related T-cell-mediated rejection increases the risk of perioperative graft loss after liver transplantation.
Li PANG ; Yutian LIN ; Tao DING ; Yanfang YE ; Kenglong HUANG ; Fapeng ZHANG ; Xinjun LU ; Guangxiang GU ; Haoming LIN ; Leibo XU ; Kun HE ; Kwan MAN ; Chao LIU ; Wenrui WU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1843-1852
BACKGROUND:
Pre-transplant exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly increases the risk of allograft rejection after liver transplantation (LT); however, whether ICI-related rejection leads to increased graft loss remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between ICI-related allograft rejection and perioperative graft loss.
METHODS:
This was a retrospective analysis of adult liver transplant recipients with early biopsy-proven T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) at Liver Transplantation Center of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from June 2019 to September 2024. The pathological features, clinical characteristics, and perioperative graft survival were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Twenty-eight patients who underwent early TCMR between June 2019 and September 2024 were included. Based on pre-LT ICI exposure, recipients were categorized into ICI-related TCMR (irTCMR, n = 12) and conventional TCMR (cTCMR, n = 16) groups. Recipients with irTCMR had a higher median Banff rejection activity index (RAI) (6 vs . 5, P = 0.012) and more aggressive tissue damage and inflammation. Recipients with irTCMR showed higher proportion of treatment resistance, achieving a complete resolution rate of only 8/12 compared to 16/16 for cTCMR. Graft loss occurred in 5/12 of irTCMR recipients within 90 days after LT, with no graft loss in cTCMRs recipients. Cox analysis demonstrated that irTCMR with an ICI washout period of <30 days was an independent risk factor for perioperative graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 6.540; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067-40.067, P = 0.042).
CONCLUSION
IrTCMR is associated with severe pathological features, increased resistance to treatment, and higher graft loss in adult liver transplant recipients.
Humans
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Liver Transplantation/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Graft Rejection/immunology*
;
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Adult
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T-Lymphocytes/drug effects*
;
Graft Survival/immunology*
;
Aged
9.Efficacy and safety of using an enteral immunonutrition formula in the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol for Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancers undergoing surgery: A randomized, open-label, multicenter trial (healing trial).
Jianchun YU ; Gang XIAO ; Yanbing ZHOU ; Yingjiang YE ; Han LIANG ; Guole LIN ; Qi AN ; Xiaodong LIU ; Bin LIANG ; Baogui WANG ; Weiming KANG ; Tao YU ; Yulong TIAN ; Chao WANG ; Xiaona WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2847-2849
10.Research progress on natural small molecule compound inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome.
Tian-Yuan ZHANG ; Xi-Yu CHEN ; Xin-Yu DUAN ; Qian-Ru ZHAO ; Lin MA ; Yi-Qi YAN ; Yu WANG ; Tao LIU ; Shao-Xia WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):644-657
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the research on NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is integral to the innate immune response, and its abnormal activation can lead to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine, consequently facilitating the progression of various pathological conditions. Therefore, investigating the pharmacological inhibition pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome represents a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has not approved drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for clinical use due to concerns regarding liver toxicity and gastrointestinal side effects associated with chemical small molecule inhibitors in clinical trials. Natural small molecule compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids are ubiquitously found in animals, plants, and other natural substances exhibiting pharmacological activities. Their abundant sources, intricate and diverse structures, high biocompatibility, minimal adverse reactions, and superior biochemical potency in comparison to synthetic compounds have attracted the attention of extensive scholars. Currently, certain natural small molecule compounds have been demonstrated to impede the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via various action mechanisms, so they are viewed as the innovative, feasible, and minimally toxic therapeutic agents for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Hence, this study systematically examined the effects and potential mechanisms of natural small molecule compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes at their initiation, assembly, and activation stages. The objection is to furnish theoretical support and practical guidance for the effective clinical application of these natural small molecule inhibitors.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
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Inflammasomes/metabolism*
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Inflammation/drug therapy*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Humans
;
Animals
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Biological Products/therapeutic use*
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Drug Discovery
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*

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