1.Effect of sitravatinib on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Huan ZHANG ; Xiangyu WU ; Qianwen ZHAO ; Fajuan RUI ; Nan GENG ; Rui JIN ; Jie LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):600-607
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sitravatinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. MethodsA total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group, CCl4 model group, and low- (5 mg/kg), middle- (10 mg/kg), and high-dose (20 mg/kg) sitravatinib groups. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 4 consecutive weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since the first day of modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups were given sitravatinib at the corresponding dose by gavage every day. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured for the mice in each group; hepatic hydroxyproline content was measured; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) in liver tissue. The therapeutic effect of sitravatinib was assessed based on the above results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT between the model group and the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups (all P>0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content decreased after sitravatinib intervention, with a significant difference between the middle-/high-dose sitravatinib groups and the CCl4 model group (both P<0.05). Histopathological staining showed that the sitravatinib treatment groups had a reduction in collagen deposition, along with thinning and fragmentation of fibrous septa, and in the high-dose sitravatinib group, 4 mice had a fibrosis stage of S0—S1 and 2 mice had a fibrosis stage of S2—S3, suggesting a certain degree of alleviation of liver fibrosis degree compared with the CCl4 model group (mainly S3—S4). The measurement of related molecules showed that sitravatinib downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col1a1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionSitravatinib can effectively alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice, possibly by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis.
2.Application Analysis of Rehmanniae Radix in Medical Cases of Qing Court
Yan JIN ; Tiegui NAN ; Yihan WANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):232-238
To gain an in-depth understanding of the clinical application of Rehmanniae Radix during the Qing Dynasty and to clarify its specifications and corresponding therapeutic effects, this study took Rehmanniae Radix in the prescriptions documented in Research on Medical Cases of the Qing Imperial Court as the research subject. According to historical medical literature, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the specifications, therapeutic efficacy, frequency of use, dosage, and seasonal patterns of Rehmanniae Radix employed by imperial physicians. The findings revealed that Rehmanniae Radix in the medical cases of the Qing court was primarily classified into three categories: Xiaoshengdi, Zhongshengdi, and Dashengdi. Xiaoshengdi was also referred to as Xishengdi or Cishengdi, all denoting dried Rehmanniae Radix. The term Xishengdi was inconsistently defined in the literature. It should refer to the slender variant of dried Rehmanniae Radix and was utilized as a specific specification in the medical cases of the Qing court. In contrast, the wild fresh roots of Rehmanniae Radix, described as "as slender as fingers", were commonly documented as fresh Rehmanniae Radix in these medical cases. There were variations in Rehmanniae Radix size and grading between historical and contemporary standards. Furthermore, therapeutic differences were observed among Rehmanniae Radix specifications in the medical cases of the Qing court. Xiaoshengdi and Zhongshengdi exhibited slightly stronger blood-cooling and heat-clearing effects while maintaining a non-cloying Yin-nourishing property. In contrast, Dashengdi demonstrated a greater emphasis on Yin supplementation with relatively milder heat-clearing activity. In the medical cases of the Qing court, the dosage of Rehmanniae Radix in different specifications was usually 11.2-18.7 g per dose, typically administered twice daily. Rehmanniae Radix in different specifications exhibits variations in efficacy, which can provide evidence-based insights for precise clinical application.
3.Application Analysis of Rehmanniae Radix in Medical Cases of Qing Court
Yan JIN ; Tiegui NAN ; Yihan WANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):232-238
To gain an in-depth understanding of the clinical application of Rehmanniae Radix during the Qing Dynasty and to clarify its specifications and corresponding therapeutic effects, this study took Rehmanniae Radix in the prescriptions documented in Research on Medical Cases of the Qing Imperial Court as the research subject. According to historical medical literature, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the specifications, therapeutic efficacy, frequency of use, dosage, and seasonal patterns of Rehmanniae Radix employed by imperial physicians. The findings revealed that Rehmanniae Radix in the medical cases of the Qing court was primarily classified into three categories: Xiaoshengdi, Zhongshengdi, and Dashengdi. Xiaoshengdi was also referred to as Xishengdi or Cishengdi, all denoting dried Rehmanniae Radix. The term Xishengdi was inconsistently defined in the literature. It should refer to the slender variant of dried Rehmanniae Radix and was utilized as a specific specification in the medical cases of the Qing court. In contrast, the wild fresh roots of Rehmanniae Radix, described as "as slender as fingers", were commonly documented as fresh Rehmanniae Radix in these medical cases. There were variations in Rehmanniae Radix size and grading between historical and contemporary standards. Furthermore, therapeutic differences were observed among Rehmanniae Radix specifications in the medical cases of the Qing court. Xiaoshengdi and Zhongshengdi exhibited slightly stronger blood-cooling and heat-clearing effects while maintaining a non-cloying Yin-nourishing property. In contrast, Dashengdi demonstrated a greater emphasis on Yin supplementation with relatively milder heat-clearing activity. In the medical cases of the Qing court, the dosage of Rehmanniae Radix in different specifications was usually 11.2-18.7 g per dose, typically administered twice daily. Rehmanniae Radix in different specifications exhibits variations in efficacy, which can provide evidence-based insights for precise clinical application.
4.Reliability evaluation of a digital multimedia system for measuring near-distance horizontal heterophoria
Feiyan JIN ; Nan WU ; Yanxian WANG ; Xiaofeng LIN
International Eye Science 2026;26(5):913-917
AIM: To evaluate the reliability of a digital multimedia system for measuring near-distance horizontal heterophoria.METHODS: This cross-sectional diagnostic study enrolled patients with refractive errors who visited Shantou Aier Eye Hospital from May 2023 to August 2025, presenting with symptoms of visual fatigue, undergoing myopia management, or receiving routine ophthalmic examinations, and who completed heterophoria testing during this period. All patients wearing full refractive correction underwent near-distance(0.4 m)horizontal heterophoria measurement in a random order using the digital multimedia system, the Von Graefe method, and the Maddox rod method. Two consecutive measurements were performed for each method. The intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to analyze the measurement repeatability of each method, and Bland-Altman analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were employed to evaluate the consistency between the digital multimedia system and the two traditional methods.RESULTS: A total of 60 patients(120 eyes)were included, comprising 27 males and 33 females, with a mean age of 21.03±7.24 y. Repeatability analysis showed that the ICC for the digital multimedia system was 0.960(95%CI: 0.934-0.976), for the Von Graefe method was 0.979(95%CI: 0.964-0.987), and for the Maddox rod method was 0.956(95%CI: 0.926-0.973), all indicating excellent repeatability. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.367△ [95% limits of agreement(LoA): -2.97△ to 3.70△] between the Von Graefe method and the digital system, and a mean difference of 0.067△(95% LoA: -3.05△ to 3.19△)between the Maddox rod method and the digital system. Both differences were within the clinically acceptable range(difference <4△). Spearman correlation analysis showed positive correlations between the digital system and the Von Graefe method(rs=0.867)and between the digital system and the Maddox rod method(rs=0.777, all P<0.001).CONCLUSION: The digital multimedia system demonstrates high repeatability and good consistency with the traditional Von Graefe and Maddox rod methods for measuring near-distance horizontal heterophoria. It shows promise as a new and effective tool for clinical near-distance horizontal heterophoria measurement.
5.Expression and functional study of FKBP10 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
FANG Zhikai ; JIN Hui ; YANG Shan ; JIANG Nan ; ZHANG Mingyu ; ZHOU Shuang ; LI Chang ; LI Lili
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(7):529-541
Objective:
To investigate the expression and functional role of FK506 binding protein 10 (FKBP10) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to provide a research basis for the estimated prognosis and targeted therapy of OSCC.
Methods:
A total of 284 OSCC samples and 19 normal samples were selected from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and diagnostic analysis was performed to determine mRNA expression. Survival analysis for FKBP10 and OSCC was conducted on a gene expression profile interaction analysis website. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of FKBP10 in four OSCC cell lines and SAS and SCC9 cells transfected with siRNA. The cell proliferation ability of FKBP10-silenced cells was detected using the CCK8 method, and the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion ability were detected through wound healing and invasion experiments. The expression changes of total protein and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-serine/threonine kinase (AKT) after FKBP10 silencing were analyzed by proteomics and Western Blot.
Results:
According to the analysis of gene expression levels, the mRNA expression level of FKBP10 in OSCC was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P < 0.001). In terms of diagnosis, the expression level of FKBP10 has unique diagnostic value for OSCC (P < 0.05). The survival analysis of FKBP10 and OSCC showed that a high expression of FKBP10 led to a decrease in patient survival and poor prognosis (P < 0.05). The expression of FKBP10 mRNA and protein in OSCC cell lines was higher than that in normal oral keratinocytes (P < 0.001). Silencing FKBP10 can reduce the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of SAS and SCC9 (P < 0.001), and also block their cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase (P < 0.001), with a significant increase in apoptosis (P < 0.05). Protein mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis revealed that FKBP10 silencing significantly downregulated the expression of multiple proteins in the RAP1 signaling pathway, mainly RAP guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (RAPGEF1) (P < 0.05) and the phosphorylation of PI3K-AKT proteins (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
FKBP10 is highly expressed in OSCC, leading to poor prognosis for patients. Downregulated FKBP10 expression can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of OSCC cells, hinder cell cycle progression, and promote apoptosis via the RAP1-PI3K-AKT axis. FKBP10 is a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for OSCC.
6.Transparency of clinical practice guidelines: A mixed methods research.
Xinyi WANG ; Youlin LONG ; Tengyue HU ; Zixin YANG ; Liqin LIU ; Liu YANG ; Yifan CHENG ; Ran GU ; Yanjiao SHEN ; Nan YANG ; Jin HUANG ; Yaolong CHEN ; Liang DU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1882-1884
7.Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin inhibits tumor growth in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice by regulating PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway.
Nan YANG ; Jian-Qing LIANG ; Ke-Jun MIAO ; Qiang-Ping MA ; Jin-Tian LI ; Juan LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1592-1600
This study aims to investigate the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin on Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice via the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)/activated transcription factor 4(ATF4)/C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP) signaling pathway. Sixty SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice were selected and assigned into a blank group and a modeling group by the random number table method. After modeling of the Lewis lung carcinoma, the mice in the modeling group were randomized into model, cisplatin(5 mg·kg~(-1), once a week), and low-, medium-, and high-dose(1.7, 3.5, and 7.05 g·kg~(-1), respectively, once a day) Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment+cisplatin(5 mg·kg~(-1)) groups(n=10). After 14 days of continuous intervention, the spleen, thymus, and tumor samples of the mice were collected, weighed, and recorded, and the spleen index, thymus index, and tumor suppression rate were calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the tumor tissue. The morphological changes of the endoplasmic reticulum of tumor cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The positive expression of phosphorylated eIF2α(p-eIF2α) and ATF4 in the tumor tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of phosphorylated PERK(p-PERK), p-eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(p21), and cyclinD1 in the tumor tissue. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax, Bcl-2, p21, and cyclinD1 in the tumor tissue. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed decreases in spleen index and thymus index(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the cisplatin group showed decreases in spleen index and thymus index(P<0.05), and the medium-and high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment+cisplatin groups presented increases in spleen index and thymus index(P<0.05). In addition, the treatment groups all showed decreased tumor mass(P<0.05), increased tumor cell lysis and nuclear rupture, widened gap between rough endoplasmic reticulum, enhanced average fluorescence intensity of p-eIF2α and ATF4(P<0.05), up-regulated protein levels of p-PERK/PERK, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax, and p21(P<0.05), down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and cyclinD1(P<0.05), and up-regulated mRNA levels of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax, and p21(P<0.05). Compared with the cisplatin group, the combination groups showed increases in spleen index and thymus index(P<0.05) as well as mean optical density(P<0.05), and the high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment+cisplatin group showed decreased tumor mass(P<0.05). In addition, the medium-and high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment+cisplatin groups showcased enhanced average fluorescence intensity of p-eIF2α and ATF4(P<0.05), up-regulated protein levels of p-PERK/PERK, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax, and p21(P<0.05), down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and cyclinD1(P<0.05), and up-regulated mRNA levels of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax, and p21(P<0.05). In conclusion, Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin can effectively inhibit the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma in mice by regulating the expression of proteins related to the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway and promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
Animals
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Cisplatin/administration & dosage*
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Activating Transcription Factor 4/genetics*
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Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2/genetics*
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eIF-2 Kinase/genetics*
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Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/pathology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Mice
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Transcription Factor CHOP/genetics*
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Ointments/administration & dosage*
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Humans
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage*
8.Construction of a multigene expression system for plants and verification of its function.
Yin-Yin JIANG ; Ya-Nan TANG ; Yu-Ping TAN ; Shu-Fu SUN ; Juan GUO ; Guang-Hong CUI ; Jin-Fu TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3291-3296
Constructing an efficient and easy-to-operate multigene expression system is currently a crucial part of plant genetic engineering. In this study, a fragment carrying three independent gene expression cassettes and the expression unit of the gene-silencing suppressor protein(RNA silencing suppressor 19 kDa protein, P19) simultaneously was designed and constructed. This fragment was cloned into the commonly used plant expression vector pCAMBIA300, and the plasmid pC1300-TP2-P19 was obtained. Each gene expression cassette consists of different promoters, fusion tags, and terminators. The target gene can be flexibly inserted into the corresponding site through enzymatic digestion and ligation or recombination and fused with different protein tags, which provides great convenience for subsequent detection. The enhanced green fluorescent protein(eGFP) reporter gene was individually constructed into each expression cassette to verify the feasibility of this vector system. The results of tobacco transient expression and laser-confocal microscopy showed that each expression cassette presented independent and normal expression. Meanwhile, the three key enzyme genes in the betanin synthesis pathway, BvCYP76AD, BvDODA1, and DbDOPA5GT, were constructed into the three expression cassettes. The results of tobacco transient expression phenotype, protein immunoblotting(Western blot), and chemical detection of product demonstrated that the three exogenous genes were highly expressed, and the target compound betanin was successfully produced. The above results indicated that the constructed multigene expression system for plants in this study was efficient and reliable and can achieve the co-transformation of multiple plant genes. It can provide a reliable vector platform for the analysis of plant natural product synthesis pathways, functional verification, and plant metabolic engineering.
Nicotiana/metabolism*
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Genetic Vectors/metabolism*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Plant Proteins/metabolism*
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Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*
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Genetic Engineering/methods*
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Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism*
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Gene Expression
9.Optimization of extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules based on AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN.
Zi-An LI ; De-Wen LIU ; Xin-Jian LI ; Bing-Yu WU ; Qun LAN ; Meng-Jia GUO ; Jia-Hui SUN ; Nan-Yang LIU ; Hui PEI ; Hao LI ; Hong YI ; Jin-Yu WANG ; Liang-Mian CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2674-2683
By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Neural Networks, Computer
10.Effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in improving neurological function in ischemic stroke rats based on IRE1α/ASK1/JNK pathway.
Xin-Rong ZHANG ; Tian-Lang WANG ; Jia-Hao ZHANG ; Lu JIN ; Jian-Bo WANG ; Ya-Nan XUE ; Yi QU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3857-3867
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress via the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α(IRE1α)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) pathway to improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CIRI). SPF-grade male sprague-dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into Sham group, model group, Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, and edaravone group. Except for the Sham group, the other groups were subjected to the modified suture method to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model. After treatment, neurological function was assessed using the Zea Longa scoring system. Gait analysis was used to detect the motor function. Detection of relative infarct area in brain tissue using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining. Nissl staining was used to observe the structure of neuronal cells. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) were used to detect IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related X protein(Bax), and Caspase-3 in the brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of IRE1α, ASK1, and JNK. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. The results showed that compared with the Sham group, the model group exhibited increased neurological scores(P<0.01), increased ratio of ground contact area and strength in both forelimbs(P<0.01), enlarged relative infarct area of brain tissue(P<0.05), and a reduced number of Nissl staining-positive cells(P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, Bax, and Caspase-3 in brain tissue were significantly elevated, while those of Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, both the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group and edaravone group showed reduced neurological scores(P<0.05), decreased ratio of ground contact area and strength in both forelimbs(P<0.05), smaller relative infarct area(P<0.05), alleviated neuronal damage, and increased number of Nissl staining-positive cells(P<0.05). The expression levels of IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, Bax, and Caspase-3 protein and mRNA in brain tissue were significantly reduced, while those of Bcl-2 were significantly increased(P<0.05). The results indicated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction can effectively improve brain injury in CIRI rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress IRE1α/ASK1/JNK signaling pathway.
Animals
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Rats
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MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5/genetics*
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Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology*
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Humans
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MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Endoribonucleases/genetics*
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JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
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Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects*
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Multienzyme Complexes


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