ObjectiveTo investigate the repair effects of Zhengan Xifengtang on intestinal mucosal barrier in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） through the pathways of farnesoid X receptor （FXR）-myosin light chain kinase （MLCK）/phosphorylated myosin light chain （p-MLC） and its potential mechanism. MethodsForty 10-week-old male SHRs were randomly divided into model group， amlodipine besylate group （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high， middle and low dose groups of Zhengan Xifengtang （34.5， 17.25， 8.625 g·kg^-1·d^-1）； eight age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats of the same origin served as the normal control group. Drug intervention was carried out for 8 weeks， and the blood pressure of the rats was measured regularly. After the intervention， the rats were euthanized to collect tissue samples. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining were used to evaluate the pathological morphology and the number of goblet cells in colonic mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure plasma lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and diamine oxidase （DAO） levels in each group of rats. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR and p-MLC in colonic tissue. Western blot was used to detect the zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1， junctional adhesion molecule-1 （JAM-1）， mucin-2 （MUC2）， FXR， MLCK， and p-MLC protein expression in colon tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Occludin， Claudin-1， JAM-1， MUC2， FXR， MLCK， and MLC in colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the blood pressure in the model group increased significantly （P<0.01）， the colonic mucosal structure was seriously damaged， and the number of goblet cells decreased significantly. The contents of LPS and DAO increased significantly （P<0.01）， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR in colon decreased， while that of p-MLC increased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， MUC2 and FXR decreased significantly （P<0.01）， whereas the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Zhengan Xifengtang groups at various dosages and the amlodipine besylate group showed significantly reduced blood pressure （P<0.01）. The damage of colonic mucosa structure was alleviated， the infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased， and the number of goblet cells increased. LPS and DAO levels were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the colon， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR increased， while that of p-MLC decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， and FXR increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression of MUC2 increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of MUC2 mRNA in each dose group of Zhengan Xifengtang increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZhengan Xifengtang may regulate the FXR-MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway and enhance the expression of tight junction protein， thereby reducing intestinal mucosal permeability， promoting mucosal barrier repair， decreasing LPS release into the blood， and ultimately lowering blood pressure.

ObjectiveTo investigate the repair effects of Zhengan Xifengtang on intestinal mucosal barrier in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） through the pathways of farnesoid X receptor （FXR）-myosin light chain kinase （MLCK）/phosphorylated myosin light chain （p-MLC） and its potential mechanism. MethodsForty 10-week-old male SHRs were randomly divided into model group， amlodipine besylate group （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high， middle and low dose groups of Zhengan Xifengtang （34.5， 17.25， 8.625 g·kg^-1·d^-1）； eight age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats of the same origin served as the normal control group. Drug intervention was carried out for 8 weeks， and the blood pressure of the rats was measured regularly. After the intervention， the rats were euthanized to collect tissue samples. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining were used to evaluate the pathological morphology and the number of goblet cells in colonic mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure plasma lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and diamine oxidase （DAO） levels in each group of rats. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR and p-MLC in colonic tissue. Western blot was used to detect the zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1， junctional adhesion molecule-1 （JAM-1）， mucin-2 （MUC2）， FXR， MLCK， and p-MLC protein expression in colon tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Occludin， Claudin-1， JAM-1， MUC2， FXR， MLCK， and MLC in colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the blood pressure in the model group increased significantly （P<0.01）， the colonic mucosal structure was seriously damaged， and the number of goblet cells decreased significantly. The contents of LPS and DAO increased significantly （P<0.01）， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR in colon decreased， while that of p-MLC increased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， MUC2 and FXR decreased significantly （P<0.01）， whereas the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Zhengan Xifengtang groups at various dosages and the amlodipine besylate group showed significantly reduced blood pressure （P<0.01）. The damage of colonic mucosa structure was alleviated， the infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased， and the number of goblet cells increased. LPS and DAO levels were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the colon， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR increased， while that of p-MLC decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， and FXR increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression of MUC2 increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of MUC2 mRNA in each dose group of Zhengan Xifengtang increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZhengan Xifengtang may regulate the FXR-MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway and enhance the expression of tight junction protein， thereby reducing intestinal mucosal permeability， promoting mucosal barrier repair， decreasing LPS release into the blood， and ultimately lowering blood pressure.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of Chinese medicine syndromes and the possible metabolic substance basis of spontaneously hypertensive rat(SHR).Methods 10-week-old SPF SHR and WKY of the same strain were divided into SHR group and WKY group with 8 rats in each group.The general state,temperament,peripheral vascular filling,tongue characteristics,diet,water intake,urine and feces volume and characteristics,blood pressure,heart rate,respiratory rate,pain threshold,and open field behavior of SHR rats were observed and tested comprehensively to identify the possible syndrome types of Chinese medicine.At the same time,liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze non-targeted serum metabolites to preliminarily reveal the material basis of blood pressure elevation and Chinese medicine syndrome manifestations.Results Compared with WKY group,the scores of dark yellow hair color,irritable degree and peripheral capillary filling were higher in SHR group(P＜0.0001).Red tongue color,dry tongue,little body fluid;24 h diet and water intake,urine volume and fecal volume were less(P＜0.05),fecal water content was lower(P＜0.001);systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR)and respiratory rate(RR)were significantly higher(P＜0.05);Lower pain threshold(P＜0.0001);The open field experiment shows that the moving distance and residence time of the edge are longer(P＜0.001).Serum non-targeted metabolomics result showed that,compared with WKY group,the SHR group had 114 metabolites with significant differences(P＜0.05).These differential metabolites were mainly lipids and lipid-like molecules(40.35％),organic acids and derivatives(22.8％),and organoheterocyclic compounds(15.79％).A total of 25 metabolic pathways were identified by KEGG enrichment analysis.Further differential abundance analysis showed that 16 pathways were activated,only 4 pathways were inhibited,and 5 pathways were not significantly changed.The glutamatergic synapse and GABAergic synapse were activated,while the serotonergic synapse was inhibited.Conclusions The symptoms of SHR include impatience and irritability,peripheral vascular dilation and collateral circulation formation,bulbar conjunctival congestive swelling,red tongue coloration,a dry tongue,constipation,red-yellow urine of low volume,and a rapid heart rate and high respiratory rate.All these suggest that SHR is a syndrome of hypertension with hyperactivity of liver-yang.The material basis of SHR is not only related to lipid,amino acid,and carbohydrate metabolism disorders,but also may be related to metabolic disorders of glutaminergic,GABAergic,and serotonergic neural pathways.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of Chinese medicine syndromes and the possible metabolic substance basis of spontaneously hypertensive rat(SHR).Methods 10-week-old SPF SHR and WKY of the same strain were divided into SHR group and WKY group with 8 rats in each group.The general state,temperament,peripheral vascular filling,tongue characteristics,diet,water intake,urine and feces volume and characteristics,blood pressure,heart rate,respiratory rate,pain threshold,and open field behavior of SHR rats were observed and tested comprehensively to identify the possible syndrome types of Chinese medicine.At the same time,liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze non-targeted serum metabolites to preliminarily reveal the material basis of blood pressure elevation and Chinese medicine syndrome manifestations.Results Compared with WKY group,the scores of dark yellow hair color,irritable degree and peripheral capillary filling were higher in SHR group(P＜0.0001).Red tongue color,dry tongue,little body fluid;24 h diet and water intake,urine volume and fecal volume were less(P＜0.05),fecal water content was lower(P＜0.001);systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR)and respiratory rate(RR)were significantly higher(P＜0.05);Lower pain threshold(P＜0.0001);The open field experiment shows that the moving distance and residence time of the edge are longer(P＜0.001).Serum non-targeted metabolomics result showed that,compared with WKY group,the SHR group had 114 metabolites with significant differences(P＜0.05).These differential metabolites were mainly lipids and lipid-like molecules(40.35％),organic acids and derivatives(22.8％),and organoheterocyclic compounds(15.79％).A total of 25 metabolic pathways were identified by KEGG enrichment analysis.Further differential abundance analysis showed that 16 pathways were activated,only 4 pathways were inhibited,and 5 pathways were not significantly changed.The glutamatergic synapse and GABAergic synapse were activated,while the serotonergic synapse was inhibited.Conclusions The symptoms of SHR include impatience and irritability,peripheral vascular dilation and collateral circulation formation,bulbar conjunctival congestive swelling,red tongue coloration,a dry tongue,constipation,red-yellow urine of low volume,and a rapid heart rate and high respiratory rate.All these suggest that SHR is a syndrome of hypertension with hyperactivity of liver-yang.The material basis of SHR is not only related to lipid,amino acid,and carbohydrate metabolism disorders,but also may be related to metabolic disorders of glutaminergic,GABAergic,and serotonergic neural pathways.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zhengan Xifengtang on blood pressure and fecal microflora of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs）. MethodA total of 75 male SHRs aged nine weeks were randomly divided into SHR group， Benazepril group （1.00 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Zhengan Xifengtang group （34.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose Zhengan Xifengtang group （17.25 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-dose Zhengan Xifengtang group （8.625 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. A total of 15 male Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats aged nine weeks were selected as the normal group. The normal group and SHR group were administrated with an equal volume of distilled water for eight weeks. During the administration， the blood pressure of the rats was measured regularly. After the intervention， fresh feces were collected with a sterile frozen storage tube， and 16S amplicon information was collected and analyzed. Plasma， hippocampus， and ileum of rats were collected for ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-MS/MS） detection. ResultZhengan Xifengtang decreased the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of SHRs. Compared with the SHR group， Zhengan Xifengtang decreased the diversity of fecal microflora of SHRs. At the phylum level， Zhengan Xifengtang increased the relative abundance of SHR Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria and decreased the relative abundance of Synergistetes， Tenericutes， and Candidatus Saccharibacteria. Compared with the SHR group， Zhengan Xifengtang increased the relative abundance of Blautia wexlerae， Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans， and Akkermansia muciniphila and decreased the relative abundance of Clostridium lavalense， Intestinimonas butyriciproducens， Acetatifactor muris， Alloprevotella rava， and Oscillibacter valericigenes. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the systolic blood pressure of rats was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Ethanoligenens， Aerococcus， Butyrivibrio， Olsenella， Bifidobacterium， Clostridium XIVb， Allobaculum， and Fusicatenibacter and positively correlated with the relative abundance of Alloprevotella. Zhengan Xifengtang increased the contents of plasma， hippocampal 5-hydroxy tryptamine（5-HT）， and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid（5-HIAA） in SHRs and decreased the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the ileum， and the content of 5-HT in the hippocampus was negatively correlated with that in the ileum. ConclusionZhengan Xifengtang can reduce the blood pressure of SHRs， which may be related to reducing the diversity of SHR microflora， regulating the structure of the microflora， increasing the relative abundance of 5-HT and short-chain fatty acids bacteria， and lowering the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria related to intestinal inflammation.

There is a bidirectional relationship between intestinal flora and bile acids,and the imbalance of intestinal flora-bile acid axis metabolism is closely related to hypertension.Based on classical TCM literature and clinical practice,this article found that"earth deficiency"is the important pathological basis of hypertension,"wood depression"is the initiating factor of hypertension,and"earth deficiency and wood depression"is the key pathogenesis of hypertension.Combined with the research results of modern medicine and molecular biology,it is considered that the imbalance of intestinal flora and abnormal bile acid metabolism are closely related to the"earth deficiency"and"wood depression"of TCM respectively,and the imbalance of intestinal flora-bile acid axis coincides with the"earth deficiency and wood depression"of TCM in the process of hypertension.It is of great theoretical and practical significance to explore the biological connotation of hypertension"earth deficiency and wood depression"from the perspective of intestinal flora-bile acid axis for guiding TCM to prevent and treat hypertension.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified Taohe Chengqitang on NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome activation in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy. MethodSPF male SD rats aged 3-4 weeks were randomly divided into a normal group and an experimental group. The rats in the experimental group were fed on a high-fat diet for 4 weeks and then received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ） at 35 mg·kg^-1 to induce the diabetes model. The rats in the experimental group were randomly divided into model group， low- and high-dose modified Taohe Chengqitang groups （11.7 g·kg^-1 and 23.4 g·kg^-1）， and metformin hydrochloride group （67.5 mg·kg^-1） according to the fast blood glucose （FBG）. The cardiac function and structure of rats were detected by ultrasonic imaging after 8 weeks of continuous intragastric administration. Blood samples from the femoral artery were collected to detect FBG， triglyceride （TC）， and total cholesterol （TG） of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in rat myocardium. Serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expression of NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 1 （Caspase-1）， and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the myocardium was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased levels of FBG， TC， and TG （P<0.01）， decreased left ventricular ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.05）， myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis as revealed by HE staining， increased serum levels of 1L-1β and 1L-18 and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the modified Taohe Chengqitang groups and the metformin group showed reduced levels of FBG， TC， and TG （P<0.05）， restored EF and FS （P<0.05）， improved pathological changes in myocardial tissues， and decreased serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues （P<0.05）. The improvement was more significant in the high-dose modified Taohe Chengqitang group （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Taohe Chengqitang can protect the myocardium by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.