ObjectiveTo optimize the extraction method for polysaccharides from turnip（Brassica rapa）， and analyze and evaluate the primary structure of the isolated and purified turnip polysaccharide fraction（BP-1） and its hypoglycemic effects in diabetic zebrafish. MethodsTaking polysaccharide yield as the evaluation index， a semi-bionic extraction method was employed. Single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response surface methodology were used to investigate three factors of solid-to-liquid ratio， extraction time and extraction temperature， in order to optimize the extraction process. BP-1 was isolated and purified using the Sevage method and DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography. Structural characterization of the turnip polysaccharides was performed using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry（UV）， gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（GC-MS）， Congo red assay， and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy（FT-IR） to determine purity， monosaccharide composition， triple-helix structure， and functional groups. The microstructure of the polysaccharides was observed using scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and atomic force microscopy（AFM）. Zebrafish were divided into the blank group（adding E3 medium）， and BP-1-1， BP-1-10， BP-1-50， BP-1-200， BP-1-1 000 groups（adding BP-1 solutions at concentrations of 1， 10， 50， 200， 1 000 mg·L^-1， respectively）， and zebrafish embryos were subjected to a 96-hour exposure experiment. The maximum tolerated concentration of BP-1 in zebrafish was determined by evaluating its effects on phenotype， survival rate， malformation rate， and heart rate. Experimental animals were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， BP-1-10 group（10 mg·L^-1）， BP-1-50 group（50 mg·L^-1）， and BP-1-200 group（200 mg·L^-1）. The blank group was cultured in E3 medium， the model and treatment groups were induced to establish a diabetic model in 4 day-post-fertilization（dpf） zebrafish embryos using 10 g·L^-1 of glucose combined with 500 µmol·L^-1 of alloxan. The treatment groups received corresponding doses of BP-1 solution， while the blank and model groups received an equal volume of saline. Glucose and insulin（INS） levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） kits， the effects on the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） histopathological sections. The mRNA expression levels of glucagon（Glucagon）， insulin（Insa）， and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1（PCK1） were detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）. ResultsThe optimized extraction conditions were determined as follows：solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶40（g·mL^-1）， extraction time of 66 min， and extraction temperature of 79 ℃. Under these conditions， the yield of turnip polysaccharides was （10.34±0.96）%. UV analysis indicated that BP-1 contained no proteins or nucleic acids， GC-MS analysis revealed that BP-1 consisted of six monosaccharides（arabinose， rhamnose， ribose， mannose， galactose and glucose）. Congo red assay indicated that the molecular conformation did not exhibit a triple-helix structure， FT-IR analysis showed the presence of α-glycosidic bonds and uronic acids， SEM analysis revealed an irregular flaky structure with a flat and smooth surface， AFM analysis suggested that the aggregated structure might be formed by the entanglement of molecular chains and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The maximum tolerated concentration of BP-1 in zebrafish over 96 h was determined to be 200 mg·L^-1. Pharmacodynamic results showed that， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly increased glucose levels and significantly decreased INS levels（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BP-1-50 group significantly reduced glucose levels and increased INS levels（P<0.05）. Histopathological examination of liver tissue revealed that various doses of BP-1 had a certain reparative effect on damaged liver tissue. The liver tissue structure in the BP-1-200 group was nearly normal， with hepatocytes appearing plump. Real-time PCR results showed that， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly upregulated mRNA expressions of Glucagon and PCK1， and significantly downregulated mRNA expression of Insa（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BP-1-50 and BP-1-200 groups showed significantly downregulated mRNA expressions of Glucagon and PCK1， and significantly upregulated mRNA expression of Insa（P<0.01）. ConclusionThe semi-bionic extraction method for turnip polysaccharides yields a high extraction rate， is simple to operate， has low costs， making it suitable for large-scale industrial production. BP-1 consists of six monosaccharides， contains α-glycosidic bonds and uronic acids， exhibits hypoglycemic activity， and provides a certain protective effect on the liver of alloxan-induced diabetic model zebrafish.

ObjectiveTo optimize the extraction method for polysaccharides from turnip（Brassica rapa）， and analyze and evaluate the primary structure of the isolated and purified turnip polysaccharide fraction（BP-1） and its hypoglycemic effects in diabetic zebrafish. MethodsTaking polysaccharide yield as the evaluation index， a semi-bionic extraction method was employed. Single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response surface methodology were used to investigate three factors of solid-to-liquid ratio， extraction time and extraction temperature， in order to optimize the extraction process. BP-1 was isolated and purified using the Sevage method and DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography. Structural characterization of the turnip polysaccharides was performed using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry（UV）， gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（GC-MS）， Congo red assay， and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy（FT-IR） to determine purity， monosaccharide composition， triple-helix structure， and functional groups. The microstructure of the polysaccharides was observed using scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and atomic force microscopy（AFM）. Zebrafish were divided into the blank group（adding E3 medium）， and BP-1-1， BP-1-10， BP-1-50， BP-1-200， BP-1-1 000 groups（adding BP-1 solutions at concentrations of 1， 10， 50， 200， 1 000 mg·L^-1， respectively）， and zebrafish embryos were subjected to a 96-hour exposure experiment. The maximum tolerated concentration of BP-1 in zebrafish was determined by evaluating its effects on phenotype， survival rate， malformation rate， and heart rate. Experimental animals were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， BP-1-10 group（10 mg·L^-1）， BP-1-50 group（50 mg·L^-1）， and BP-1-200 group（200 mg·L^-1）. The blank group was cultured in E3 medium， the model and treatment groups were induced to establish a diabetic model in 4 day-post-fertilization（dpf） zebrafish embryos using 10 g·L^-1 of glucose combined with 500 µmol·L^-1 of alloxan. The treatment groups received corresponding doses of BP-1 solution， while the blank and model groups received an equal volume of saline. Glucose and insulin（INS） levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） kits， the effects on the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） histopathological sections. The mRNA expression levels of glucagon（Glucagon）， insulin（Insa）， and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1（PCK1） were detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）. ResultsThe optimized extraction conditions were determined as follows：solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶40（g·mL^-1）， extraction time of 66 min， and extraction temperature of 79 ℃. Under these conditions， the yield of turnip polysaccharides was （10.34±0.96）%. UV analysis indicated that BP-1 contained no proteins or nucleic acids， GC-MS analysis revealed that BP-1 consisted of six monosaccharides（arabinose， rhamnose， ribose， mannose， galactose and glucose）. Congo red assay indicated that the molecular conformation did not exhibit a triple-helix structure， FT-IR analysis showed the presence of α-glycosidic bonds and uronic acids， SEM analysis revealed an irregular flaky structure with a flat and smooth surface， AFM analysis suggested that the aggregated structure might be formed by the entanglement of molecular chains and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The maximum tolerated concentration of BP-1 in zebrafish over 96 h was determined to be 200 mg·L^-1. Pharmacodynamic results showed that， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly increased glucose levels and significantly decreased INS levels（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BP-1-50 group significantly reduced glucose levels and increased INS levels（P<0.05）. Histopathological examination of liver tissue revealed that various doses of BP-1 had a certain reparative effect on damaged liver tissue. The liver tissue structure in the BP-1-200 group was nearly normal， with hepatocytes appearing plump. Real-time PCR results showed that， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly upregulated mRNA expressions of Glucagon and PCK1， and significantly downregulated mRNA expression of Insa（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the BP-1-50 and BP-1-200 groups showed significantly downregulated mRNA expressions of Glucagon and PCK1， and significantly upregulated mRNA expression of Insa（P<0.01）. ConclusionThe semi-bionic extraction method for turnip polysaccharides yields a high extraction rate， is simple to operate， has low costs， making it suitable for large-scale industrial production. BP-1 consists of six monosaccharides， contains α-glycosidic bonds and uronic acids， exhibits hypoglycemic activity， and provides a certain protective effect on the liver of alloxan-induced diabetic model zebrafish.

Despite of the widespread use of hydrogen and methane breath test, the variability in testing protocols, gas measurement techniques, and interpretation criteria continues to challenge the reproducibility and comparability across centers, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association hence presents the first Asian monograph guiding application and interpretation of breath test. The monograph was formulated according to the framework of indications, preparatory process, performance, and interpretation of results, as well as future direction for research.

Background/Aims: Reflux symptoms frequently present in patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD). This investigation sought to elucidate the contribution of gastroesophageal reflux in the overlap relationship. Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with reflux symptoms and/or FD symptoms were prospectively included. Comprehensive assessments, including symptoms evaluation, endoscopy, esophageal functional examinations (high-resolution manometry and reflux monitoring), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment efficacy evaluation, were conducted in these patients. Results: The study enrolled 315 patients, 43.2% of which had concurrent FD symptoms and overlapping reflux symptoms. Notably, a mere 28.7% of patients in the overlap symptoms group had objective gastroesophageal reflux disease evidences (the grade of esophagitis≥ B or the acid exposure time ≥ 4.2%). Functional heartburn was demonstrated to be the main cause of overlapping reflux symptoms(55.1%). Reflux parameters analysis revealed that the reflux burden in the overlap symptoms group paralleled that of the FD symptoms group, with both registering lower levels than the reflux symptoms group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PPI response rates were notably diminished in the overlap symptoms group (P < 0.001), even for those with objective gastroesophageal reflux disease evidences. Conclusions The study illuminated that overlapping reflux symptoms in FD was common. Strikingly, these symptoms primarily diverged from reflux etiology and exhibited suboptimal responses to PPI intervention. These findings challenge prevailing paradigms and accentuate the imperative for nuanced therapeutic approaches tailored to the distinctive characteristics of overlapping reflux symptoms in the context of FD.

ObjectiveTo analyze the pharmacodynamic activity of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood in the treatment of Yin deficiency and study the spectrum-effect relationship of this medicine. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography was employed to establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood， and the similarity was evaluated according to the SOP of Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM （version 2012）. A mouse model of Yin deficiency induced by thyroxine was established. The relationship between the active components and the effect on Yin deficiency was explored by grey correlation analysis and partial least squares method based on the changes in the serum levels of triiodothyronine （T3）， thyroxine （T4）， cyclic adenosine phosphate （cAMP）， and cyclic guanosine phosphate （cGMP）. The components screened out based on the spectrum-effect relationship were used for retrieval of the targets from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Database （TCMSP）， The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）， and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP）. Furthermore， the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， GeneCards， TTD， DisGeNET， and Drugbank were employed to establish the active component-target against Yin deficiency network of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses were carried out for the core targets. Real-time PCR was conducted to verify the predicted key pathways and mechanisms. ResultsThe fingerprints of the 15 batches of Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood showed the similarities of 0.976-0.999 with the control fingerprint. Compared with the model group， the drug administration group showed elevated levels of T3 and T4 and lowered levels of cAMP， cGMP and cAMP/cGMP. The results of grey correlation analysis showed that active components in terms of the correlations followed the trend of saikosaponin B₁ > saikosaponin B₂ > saikosaponin C > saikosaponin D > saikosaponin A. The partial least squares analysis showed that saikosaponins A， D， B₁， and B₂ had higher VIP values. Network pharmacology predicted a total of 30 common targets， which were enriched in 276 GO terns and 115 KEGG pathways. The results of Real-time PCR showed that the model group had lower mRNA levels of Caspase-9， kinase insert domain receptor （KDR）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） and higher mRNA level of mouse double minute 2 homolog （MDM2） than the blank group and the drug administration group. ConclusionBupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood has therapeutic effect on Yin deficiency syndrome， which provides a new idea for studying Bupleuri Radix processed with Trionyx sinensis blood.

Background/Aims: Reflux symptoms frequently present in patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD). This investigation sought to elucidate the contribution of gastroesophageal reflux in the overlap relationship. Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with reflux symptoms and/or FD symptoms were prospectively included. Comprehensive assessments, including symptoms evaluation, endoscopy, esophageal functional examinations (high-resolution manometry and reflux monitoring), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment efficacy evaluation, were conducted in these patients. Results: The study enrolled 315 patients, 43.2% of which had concurrent FD symptoms and overlapping reflux symptoms. Notably, a mere 28.7% of patients in the overlap symptoms group had objective gastroesophageal reflux disease evidences (the grade of esophagitis≥ B or the acid exposure time ≥ 4.2%). Functional heartburn was demonstrated to be the main cause of overlapping reflux symptoms(55.1%). Reflux parameters analysis revealed that the reflux burden in the overlap symptoms group paralleled that of the FD symptoms group, with both registering lower levels than the reflux symptoms group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PPI response rates were notably diminished in the overlap symptoms group (P < 0.001), even for those with objective gastroesophageal reflux disease evidences. Conclusions The study illuminated that overlapping reflux symptoms in FD was common. Strikingly, these symptoms primarily diverged from reflux etiology and exhibited suboptimal responses to PPI intervention. These findings challenge prevailing paradigms and accentuate the imperative for nuanced therapeutic approaches tailored to the distinctive characteristics of overlapping reflux symptoms in the context of FD.

OBJECTIVE To analyze and identify the metabolites of pirtobrutinib （PTN） in rats， and clarify the possible metabolic pathways of PTN in rats. METHODS Six rats were intragastrically administered with 10 mg/kg PTN suspension. Blood samples were collected from the rats 30 minutes before administration and at 0.25， 0.5， 1， 2， 4， 6， 8， 12， 24 hours after administration. Urine and feces samples were collected 12 hours before administration and 24 hours after administration. UHPLC- Orbitrap Exploris 240 system combined with Compound Discoverer 3.0 and Xcalibur 2.0 software were adopted for structural identification and metabolic pathway analysis of PTN metabolites in rat plasma， urine， and feces. RESULTS A total of 29 PTN metabolites were identified， including 17， 19 and 22 metabolites in plasma， urine and feces， respectively. The metabolic pathways of PTN mainly included oxidation， sulfation， glucuronidation， etc.， and its metabolites were mostly combination products of two or more different metabolic forms. In detail， a total of 26 metabolites were associated with phase Ⅰ metabolic reactions （14 oxidation metabolites， 9 reduction/dehydrogenation metabolites， 8 demethylation metabolites， and 5 hydrolysis metabolites）. Meanwhile， a total of 20 products were involved in phase Ⅱ metabolites （14 sulfation metabolites and 8 glucuronic acid binding metabolites）. CONCLUSIONS PTN exhibits a diverse range of metabolites in rat fecal samples， with the primary metabolic pathways being oxidation， sulfation， glucuronidation， and others.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Mingshi prescription regulates the retinal melanopsin-dopamine （Opn4-DA） axis in myopic mice to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in the retina and sclera， thereby delaying axial elongation associated with myopia. MethodsSixty 4-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group， a form-deprived myopia group （FDM group）， an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells ablation group （ipRGCs group）， a Mingshi Prescription group （MSF group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）， and an ipRGCs + MSF group （5.2 g·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， all other groups underwent FDM modeling. Additionally， the ipRGCs and ipRGCs + MSF groups received retinal ipRGC ablation. Three weeks after modeling， the MSF and ipRGCs + MSF groups were administered Mingshi prescription via continuous gavage for six weeks. After refraction and axial length were measured in all mice， eyeballs were collected along with retinal and scleral tissues. Pathological and morphological changes in the retina， choroid， and sclera were observed using periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Western blot was employed to detect the relative protein expression levels of dopamine D1 receptor （DRD1）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78） in the retina， and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of Opn4， CHOP， and GRP78 in the retina， and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Immunofluorescence staining （IF） was performed to detect the expression of Opn4 and DRD1 in retinal tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the FDM group showed a significant myopic shift in refraction （P<0.05） and a significant increase in axial length （P<0.05）. The retinal layers were thinner， the number of ganglion cells was reduced， and collagen fibers in the sclera were loosely arranged with evident gaps. Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retinal and scleral tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the FDM group， the ipRGCs group exhibited further increases in myopic refraction and axial length （P<0.05）， more pronounced thinning and looseness in the retinal， choroidal， and scleral layers， lower expression of Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA in the retina （P<0.05）， and higher expression of CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA in the retina and sclera （P<0.05）. Compared with the FDM group， the MSF group showed significantly reduced refractive error and axial length （P<0.05）， with improved cellular number， arrangement， and thickness in ocular tissues， increased Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina （P<0.05）， and reduced CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retina and sclera （P<0.05）. Similarly， the ipRGCs + MSF group showed significant improvements in terms of the above items compared with the ipRGCs group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMingshi Prescription delays myopic axial elongation and refractive progression by regulating the Opn4-DA axis in the retina of myopic mice， thereby inhibiting ER stress in the retina and sclera. This intervention promotes Qi and blood nourishment of the eyes， softens the fascia， and restores ocular rhythm.

Background/Aims: Reflux symptoms frequently present in patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD). This investigation sought to elucidate the contribution of gastroesophageal reflux in the overlap relationship. Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with reflux symptoms and/or FD symptoms were prospectively included. Comprehensive assessments, including symptoms evaluation, endoscopy, esophageal functional examinations (high-resolution manometry and reflux monitoring), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment efficacy evaluation, were conducted in these patients. Results: The study enrolled 315 patients, 43.2% of which had concurrent FD symptoms and overlapping reflux symptoms. Notably, a mere 28.7% of patients in the overlap symptoms group had objective gastroesophageal reflux disease evidences (the grade of esophagitis≥ B or the acid exposure time ≥ 4.2%). Functional heartburn was demonstrated to be the main cause of overlapping reflux symptoms(55.1%). Reflux parameters analysis revealed that the reflux burden in the overlap symptoms group paralleled that of the FD symptoms group, with both registering lower levels than the reflux symptoms group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PPI response rates were notably diminished in the overlap symptoms group (P < 0.001), even for those with objective gastroesophageal reflux disease evidences. Conclusions The study illuminated that overlapping reflux symptoms in FD was common. Strikingly, these symptoms primarily diverged from reflux etiology and exhibited suboptimal responses to PPI intervention. These findings challenge prevailing paradigms and accentuate the imperative for nuanced therapeutic approaches tailored to the distinctive characteristics of overlapping reflux symptoms in the context of FD.

ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， to evaluate the establishment of a mouse model of liver Yin deficiency by thyroid tablet suspension combined with 10% carbon tetrachloride（CCl₄） from the perspective of non-targeted metabolomics， in order to lay the foundation for the establishment of a traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome model. MethodA total of 24 mice were randomly divided into blank group and model group. The model group was given thyroid tablet suspension（0.003 2 g·kg^-1） by gavage for 14 consecutive days， and 10% CCl₄（5 mL·kg^-1） was intraperitoneally injected once a week to establish a liver Yin deficiency model， while the blank group was injected with an equal amount of olive oil intraperitoneally and gavaged with an equal amount of distilled water， and was fed with normal feed. After the modeling was completed， 6 mice in each group were randomly selected， the levels of alanine aminotransferase（ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase（AST）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate（cAMP）， cyclic guanosine monophosphate（cGMP）， interleukin（IL）-6， IL-10， tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）were measured in the mice serum， and malondialdehyde（MDA）， superoxide dismutase（SOD）， total protein（TP）， hydroxyproline（HYP） and other indicators were measured in the mice liver. Liver tissue sections were taken for hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining and observing pathological changes. The remaining 6 mice in each group were subjected to UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to screen differential metabolites in the liver Yin deficiency mouse model， Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） database was used to analyze the corresponding metabolic pathways of differential metabolites. ResultCompared with the blank group， mice in the model group showed liver Yin deficiency manifestations such as reduced body weight， fatigue and sleepiness， disheveled and lusterless hair， irritability. The levels of ALT， cAMP/cGMP， IL-6， AST， MDA， cAMP， TNF-α significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the levels of SOD， IL-10 and cGMP significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the changes of HYP and TP were not statistically significant. Hepatic steatosis and distortion of the radial arrangement of the liver plate cells were seen in the section images of the model group， endogenous substances were clearly separated， and 252 differential metabolites were identified in the serum samples， which were mainly involved in the metabolic pathways of purine metabolism， steroid hormone biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism. A total of 229 differential metabolites were identified in the liver samples， mainly involving nucleotide metabolism， purine metabolism， steroid hormone biosynthesis， pyrimidine metabolism， antifolate resistance， insulin resistance， primary bile acid biosynthesis， prostate cancer， sulfur relay system， arachidonic acid metabolism and other metabolic pathways. ConclusionThe successful establishment of liver Yin deficiency model in mice by CCl₄ combined with thyroid hormone is evaluated through the investigation of serum and liver metabolomics， combined with biochemical indicators， which provides a biological basis and experimental foundation for the Yin deficiency syndrome model of TCM.