1.Characterization and features of dampness-heat obstruction syndrome in rats with knee osteoarthritis based on "disease-syndrome-symptom" combination research strategy.
Li-Li WANG ; Teng-Teng XU ; Xiao-Xiao WANG ; Qun LI ; Li-Ting XU ; Wei-Heng CHEN ; Chun-Fang LIU ; Na LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1861-1871
A combination of the "disease-syndrome-symptom" approach was used to study the syndrome characterization and features of dampness-heat obstruction syndrome in papain-induced knee osteoarthritis(KOA) model rats during the disease process. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into sham and model groups. The KOA model was established by injecting a mixture of papain and L-cysteine into the joint cavity on days 1, 3, and 5. During the 8 weeks following model establishment, the rats were assessed weekly for the plantar mechanical pain threshold, knee joint diameter, local skin temperature of the knee joint, weight-bearing difference between the two hind feet, and the modified Lequesne MG score of the knee joint. Samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after model establishment to observe the gross lesions in cartilage and synovium. Histopathological changes in joint tissues were examined using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Senna red O-solid green staining. ELISA and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, prostaglandin E2(PGE2), and the expression of aquaporins(AQP) 1 and 3 in serum and synovium. The results showed that the ink score of articular cartilage in the model group significantly increased from 4 to 8 weeks, the cartilage Mankin's score and the percentage of Masson-positive area in cartilage increased significantly from 1 to 8 weeks. The percentage of red-stained area for cartilage proteoglycans decreased significantly from 1 to 8 weeks. The synovitis score from 1 to 6 weeks and the percentage of blue-stained collagen fibers in the synovium from 1 to 8 weeks increased significantly, with statistically significant differences compared to the sham group. The mechanical pain threshold in the model group significantly decreased from 1 to 8 weeks, the knee joint diameter significantly increased from 1 to 6 weeks, and the local skin temperature of the knee joint, the weight-bearing difference between the two hind feet, and the modified Lequesne MG score from 1 to 5 weeks significantly increased, all with statistically significant differences compared to the sham group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2 in serum and synovium of the model group significantly increased from 1 to 6 weeks. Serum TNF-α and PGE2, and synovial IL-1β, also significantly increased at 8 weeks. The levels of cartilage AQP1 and AQP3 significantly increased from 1 to 4 weeks, while synovial AQP1 and AQP3 increased significantly from 1 to 6 weeks, with all differences statistically significant compared to the sham group. In conclusion, papain-induced KOA rats exhibited pathological changes, including articular cartilage degeneration and synovial inflammation, within 1 week of induction. The KOA rats showed characteristics of dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, such as joint pain, swelling, elevated skin temperature, and decreased function, as well as increased inflammatory factors and AQP1、AQP3 in serum and joint tissues within 5 to 6 weeks of disease onset. These results provide an experimental model for studying the syndromes of KOA with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome.
Animals
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Humans
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Knee Joint/pathology*
2.Effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in a varicocele model of rats.
Biao WANG ; Yang YANG ; Ze-Rui QIU ; En-Min FENG ; Xiang ZHAO ; Neng WANG ; Xin HUANG ; Qun-Fang LIN ; Qing ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(2):150-156
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele (VC) models of rats, and to explore its possible mechanism.
METHODS:
Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (sham group, model group, Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group). After the establishment of models, the rats were treated with intragastric administration for eight consecutive weeks. The general condition of the rats was observed. After the gavage, the testicular and epididymal indices were calculated. Semen quality was assessed using an automatic semen analyzer. Apoptosis of testicular cells was assessed by TUNEL staining. And the expression levels of B-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cysteine aspartate protease-3 (caspase-3) in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the sham group, testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration, the percentage of progressive motility of sperm (PR%) and the expression level of Bcl-2 decreased in model group(P<0.01). An increased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were observed in model group as well(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration, PR% and the expression level of Bcl-2 in Guilu Taohong Formula group increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). A decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were detected in Guilu Taohong Formula group as well(P<0.01). Similarly, the L-carnitine group showed increased testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration, PR% and the expression level of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05, P<0.01), where showed decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins compared with model group (P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Guilu Taohong Formula improves semen quality in VC model rats and reduces the apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue, which may be related to the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression and the inhibition of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels.
Male
;
Animals
;
Varicocele/drug therapy*
;
Rats
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Semen Analysis
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
Caspase 3/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Spermatozoa/drug effects*
;
Testis/drug effects*
3.Clinical efficacy of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
Yu-Hong XIE ; Gang YI ; Xiao-Wen YI ; Tong-Lin SUN ; Qun-Fang LIN ; Jun ZHOU ; Xin-Jun LUO ; Fang-Zhi FU ; Biao WANG ; Qin-Zheng WANG ; Lie ZHANG ; Yang YANG ; Rui-Song GAO ; Qing ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(4):341-348
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC).
METHODS:
Eighty patients who were diagnosed with HSPC and renal-yang deficiency at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Mayang Miao Autonomous County from 1st April 2021 to 30th April 2024 were randomly divided into 2 groups. The patients in the control group were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). And the patients in treatment group were treated with Shenqi Pills orally on the basis of the control group. The baseline data of the two groups were analyzed. After 36 months of treatment, the differences between the two groups were compared in terms of overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA response rate, Functional Assessment Scale for Prostate Cancer Therapy (FACT-P), Chinese medicine evidence scores, testosterone level and safety.
RESULTS:
A total of 80 study subjects were included in this study, including 42 cases in the treatment group and 38 cases in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the baseline data between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). At the end of the observation period, a statistically significant difference in OS was found in the treatment group compared to the control group in the subgroup of patients with a disease duration ranged of 0-6 months (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in PSA levels in the treatment group at 3 months (P>0.05). And the differences in the proportion of PSA50 (98.1% vs 91.4%), PSA90 (92.9% vs 84.6%) and the proportion of decrease in PSA (56.7% vs 33.8%) in the treatment group were found compared to those in the control group after 6 months of tre atment. After 12 months of treatment, the scores of FACT-4 and renal-yang deficiency in the treatment group were (95.28±7.93) and (15.73±5.70) respectively, compared to the scores in the control group ([85.46±10.12] and [18.20±4.27] (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ([0.60±0.24] nmol/L vs [1.09±2.10] nmol/L) between the two groups (P>0.05). After 24 months of treatment, there were significant differences in in the FACT-4 total score ([97.95±7.54] vs [80.33±8.58]), renal-yang deficiency syndrome score ([14.64±5.15] vs [24.94±8.75]) between the treatment group and the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ( [0.73±1.01] nmol/L vs [0.59±0.25] nmol/L) between the two groups (P> 0.05). Better therapeutic results were showed in the treatment group in terms of total FACT-P score, physical situation score, social and family situation score, emotional state score, functional state score, additional score and renal-yang deficiency symptom score (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no serious adverse reaction in the course of treatment, and no obvious abnormality was found in the liver and kidney function of the patients from two groups.
CONCLUSION
Endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills is safe and effective in HSPC and can reduce the risk of death in HSPC patients, and the earlier the intervention, the longer the overall survival of the patients. In addition, this treatment regimen can increase the PSA response rate, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the renal-yang deficiency syndrome score without the risk of elevating serum testosterone levels.
Humans
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use*
;
Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood*
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Testosterone
4.Network meta-analysis of the modeling effects of different factors on rabbit models of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head
Zhixing HU ; Qun LI ; Chao YANG ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Luochangting FANG ; Wuqiong HOU ; Na LIN ; Weiheng CHEN ; Chunfang LIU ; Ya LIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(6):976-984
OBJECTIVE:The rabbit model of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head is the most commonly used animal model of femoral head necrosis.The pathological changes of the femoral head are close to clinical practice,however,the conditions,methods and evaluation standards of animal models reported in and outside China are not uniform,which leads to the low scientific value of animal models and is difficult to popularize.This study aimed to clarify the influence of different mold-making conditions on the establishment of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head rabbit model and analyze the appropriate conditions for the successful model establishment. METHODS:We searched the CNKI,WanFang,VIP,CBM,WoS,PubMed and EMbsae databases for the literature on the modeling of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head rabbits up to April 1,2022,completed the screening of the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and literature quality evaluation,and extracted the outcome index data in the literature.RevMan Stata and ADDIS statistical software were used to conduct a meta-analysis of the included data. RESULTS:(1)A total of 82 articles with 1 366 rabbits were included in the study.The steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head modeling methods were divided into three types:steroid-alone method,steroid combined lipopolysaccharide method and steroid combined serum method.Among these,33 articles used steroid-alone method;20 articles used steroid combined lipopolysaccharide method;29 articles used steroid combined serum method.(2)Meta-analysis results showed that the three modeling methods significantly increased the rate of empty bone lacunae in the femoral head of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head rabbits(P<0.001),and significantly decreased the ratio of the trabecular bone area in the femoral head of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head rabbits(P<0.001).The order of empty bone lacunae rate of each modeling method was:steroid combined with lipopolysaccharide method>steroid-alone method>steroid combined with serum method>normal group,and the order of trabecular bone area rate of each modeling method was:normal group>steroid combined with serum method>steroid-alone method>steroid combined with lipopolysaccharide method.(3)The results of subgroup analysis suggested that the rate of empty bone lacunae in the rabbit model induced by steroid alone might be related to the rabbit variety and the type of steroid used for modeling(difference between groups P<0.05),in which the combined effect amount of New Zealand white rabbits was higher than that of Chinese white rabbits(P<0.05)and Japanese white rabbits,and the combined effect amount of dexamethasone was higher than that of other steroids.The rate of empty bone lacunae induced by steroid combined with lipopolysaccharide was related to the administration mode of lipopolysaccharide and the type of steroid(P<0.05),among which the combined effect of methylprednisolone sodium succinate was significantly higher than that of other steroids(P<0.05),and the combined effect of prednisolone was significantly lower than that of other steroids(P<0.05).The combined effect of lipopolysaccharide 100 μg/kg×twice was significantly lower than 10 μg/kg×twice and 50 μg/kg×twice(P<0.05).The rate of empty bone lacunae in the model induced by steroid combined with serum was related to serum dose and steroid type(P<0.05),among which the combined effect amount of dexamethasone sodium phosphate was significantly higher than other steroid types(P<0.05),and the combined effect amount of dexamethasone was significantly lower than other steroid types(P<0.05);the combined effect amount of serum"10 mL/kg+6 mL/kg"combined dose was lower than other serum doses(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:(1)With the rate of empty bone lacunae and the ratio of trabecular bone area as the judgment standard for the successful establishment of the model,the three modeling methods can successfully construct the rabbit steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head model,of which the steroid combined with lipopolysaccharide method is the best.(2)New Zealand white rabbits and dexamethasone are recommended when selecting the steroid-alone method.Methylprednisolone sodium succinate and low-dose lipopolysaccharide are recommended when selecting the steroid combined with lipopolysaccharide method.Dexamethasone sodium phosphate is recommended when selecting the steroid combined with serum modeling method.
5.Surveillance of bacterial resistance in tertiary hospitals across China:results of CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program in 2022
Yan GUO ; Fupin HU ; Demei ZHU ; Fu WANG ; Xiaofei JIANG ; Yingchun XU ; Xiaojiang ZHANG ; Fengbo ZHANG ; Ping JI ; Yi XIE ; Yuling XIAO ; Chuanqing WANG ; Pan FU ; Yuanhong XU ; Ying HUANG ; Ziyong SUN ; Zhongju CHEN ; Jingyong SUN ; Qing CHEN ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Sufei TIAN ; Zhidong HU ; Jin LI ; Yunsong YU ; Jie LIN ; Bin SHAN ; Yunmin XU ; Sufang GUO ; Yanyan WANG ; Lianhua WEI ; Keke LI ; Hong ZHANG ; Fen PAN ; Yunjian HU ; Xiaoman AI ; Chao ZHUO ; Danhong SU ; Dawen GUO ; Jinying ZHAO ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Wen'en LIU ; Yanming LI ; Yan JIN ; Chunhong SHAO ; Xuesong XU ; Wei LI ; Shanmei WANG ; Yafei CHU ; Lixia ZHANG ; Juan MA ; Shuping ZHOU ; Yan ZHOU ; Lei ZHU ; Jinhua MENG ; Fang DONG ; Zhiyong LÜ ; Fangfang HU ; Han SHEN ; Wanqing ZHOU ; Wei JIA ; Gang LI ; Jinsong WU ; Yuemei LU ; Jihong LI ; Qian SUN ; Jinju DUAN ; Jianbang KANG ; Xiaobo MA ; Yanqing ZHENG ; Ruyi GUO ; Yan ZHU ; Yunsheng CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Shifu WANG ; Xuefei HU ; Wenhui HUANG ; Juan LI ; Quangui SHI ; Juan YANG ; Abulimiti REZIWAGULI ; Lili HUANG ; Xuejun SHAO ; Xiaoyan REN ; Dong LI ; Qun ZHANG ; Xue CHEN ; Rihai LI ; Jieli XU ; Kaijie GAO ; Lu XU ; Lin LIN ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Jianlong LIU ; Min FU ; Yinghui GUO ; Wenchao ZHANG ; Zengguo WANG ; Kai JIA ; Yun XIA ; Shan SUN ; Huimin YANG ; Yan MIAO ; Mingming ZHOU ; Shihai ZHANG ; Hongjuan LIU ; Nan CHEN ; Chan LI ; Jilu SHEN ; Wanqi MEN ; Peng WANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Yanyan LIU ; Yong AN
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2024;24(3):277-286
Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5%were gram-positive and 70.5%were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3%,76.7%and 77.9%,respectively.Overall,94.0%of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8%of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2%in the isolates from children and 95.7%in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1%in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7%-23.1%of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1%to 13.3%.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5%in 2019 to 18.0%in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0%in 2019 to 72.5%in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.
6.Mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang capsule protecting mitochondrial function and reducing vascular calcification via LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling pathway
Ying-Qun NI ; Yi-Xuan LIN ; Si-Hai WANG ; Qin LU ; Jin-Zhi LUO ; Chun-Qin WU ; ZHAO-Hui FANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(5):899-906
Aim To explore how Danzhi Jiangtang cap-sules(DJC)safeguard the mitochondrial activity of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)by controlling the LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling pathway to de-crease vascular calcification(VC).Methods Vascu-lar smooth muscle cell calcification models were in-duced with β-glycerin and diabetic vascular calcifica-tion rat models were induced with vitamin D3+high-fat diet.Von Kossa staining was applied to detect cal-cification of cells and vascular tissue.Colorimetric method of phthalein complex was used to determine calcium content.P-nitrobenzene phosphate colorimetry was employed to assess alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of VSMCs'osteoblast transformation related genes bone morphogenetic protein2(BMP2),smooth muscle actin alpha(α-SMA),taurine up-regulated1,LncRNA Tug1(Lnc-RNA TUG1),and β-catenin.Western blotting was utilized to detect the protein expression of BMP2,α-SMA and β-catenin.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 fluorescence probe.Mitochondrial structure was observed by trans-mission electron microscope.Results DJC reduced LncRNA TUG1 expression,down-regulated β-catenin expression,decreased ALP activity and calcium depo-sition,protected mitochondrial function,restored mem-brane potential,and decreased osteoblastic transforma-tion of VSMCs induced by glycerin phosphate.Impor-tantly,DJC attenuated diabetic lower limb VC by down-regulating the expression of LncRNA TUG1,β-catenin,and elevating the expression of α-SMA.Con-clusions DJC capsules significantly improved VSMCs by protecting mitochondrial function by LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling to reduce VSMCs'osteo-blast transformation.
7.Expert consensus on ethical requirements for artificial intelligence (AI) processing medical data.
Cong LI ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Yun-Hong WU ; Xiao-Lei YANG ; Hua-Rong YU ; Hong-Bo JIN ; Ying-Bo LI ; Zhao-Hui ZHU ; Rui LIU ; Na LIU ; Yi XIE ; Lin-Li LYU ; Xin-Hong ZHU ; Hong TANG ; Hong-Fang LI ; Hong-Li LI ; Xiang-Jun ZENG ; Zai-Xing CHEN ; Xiao-Fang FAN ; Yan WANG ; Zhi-Juan WU ; Zun-Qiu WU ; Ya-Qun GUAN ; Ming-Ming XUE ; Bin LUO ; Ai-Mei WANG ; Xin-Wang YANG ; Ying YING ; Xiu-Hong YANG ; Xin-Zhong HUANG ; Ming-Fei LANG ; Shi-Min CHEN ; Huan-Huan ZHANG ; Zhong ZHANG ; Wu HUANG ; Guo-Biao XU ; Jia-Qi LIU ; Tao SONG ; Jing XIAO ; Yun-Long XIA ; You-Fei GUAN ; Liang ZHU
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2024;76(6):937-942
As artificial intelligence technology rapidly advances, its deployment within the medical sector presents substantial ethical challenges. Consequently, it becomes crucial to create a standardized, transparent, and secure framework for processing medical data. This includes setting the ethical boundaries for medical artificial intelligence and safeguarding both patient rights and data integrity. This consensus governs every facet of medical data handling through artificial intelligence, encompassing data gathering, processing, storage, transmission, utilization, and sharing. Its purpose is to ensure the management of medical data adheres to ethical standards and legal requirements, while safeguarding patient privacy and data security. Concurrently, the principles of compliance with the law, patient privacy respect, patient interest protection, and safety and reliability are underscored. Key issues such as informed consent, data usage, intellectual property protection, conflict of interest, and benefit sharing are examined in depth. The enactment of this expert consensus is intended to foster the profound integration and sustainable advancement of artificial intelligence within the medical domain, while simultaneously ensuring that artificial intelligence adheres strictly to the relevant ethical norms and legal frameworks during the processing of medical data.
Artificial Intelligence/legislation & jurisprudence*
;
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Computer Security/standards*
;
Confidentiality/ethics*
;
Informed Consent/ethics*
8.Repair Mechanism of Jianpi Huogu Prescription on Vascular Injury in Alcohol-induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head Based on VEGF/VEGFR2/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Changting FANG-LUO ; Qianqian WANG ; Congcong SUN ; Qun LI ; Chao YANG ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Zhixing HU ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):186-194
MethodIn the experiment, 46% vol Red Star Erguotou (10 mL·kg·d-1) was used to establish the AONFH rat model, and the intervention effect of JPHGP at different doses (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 g·kg-1) was observed. Jiangusheng pill (JGS, 1.53 g·kg-1) was selected as the positive control. After 8 weeks of administration, the bone histomorphometry of the femoral head was analyzed by Micro-CT imaging, and the area of medullary microvessels in the femoral head was detected by ink perfusion. The pathological change was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), VEGF, VEGFR2, PI3K, phosphor-Akt (p-Akt) and phosphatase and Tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in the femoral head were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. ResultCompared with normal group, the model group presented the fracture and thinning of trabeculae in the femoral head, increased empty bone lacunae, and elevated number and diameter of adipocytes (P<0.01). Micro-CT imaging revealed a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular number (Tb.N) (P<0.05, P<0.01) while an increase in bone surface-to-volume ratio (BS/BV) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) (P<0.01). The results of ink perfusion showed that the area of medullary microvessels in the femoral head was reduced (P<0.01). Compared with model group, JPHGP lowered the empty bone lacunae rate as well as the number and diameter of adipocytes in the femoral head of AONFH rats. Micro-CT imaging indicated that JPHGP low-dose group had elevated BV/TV, Tb.Th and Tb.N (P<0.05, P<0.01) while decreased BS/BV (P<0.01), and there was an upward trend in BMD while a downward trend in Tb.Sp, but without statistical difference. In addition, JPHGP medium- and high-dose groups had a rise in BMD, BV/TV, Tb.Th and Tb.N (P<0.05, P<0.01), a decrease in BS/BV and Tb.Sp (P<0.05, P<0.01) and enlarged area of medullary microvessels in the femoral head (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expressions of CD31, VEGF, VEGFR2, PI3K, p-Akt in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01), and after medium and high doses of JPHGP treatment, the expressions of CD31, PI3K and p-Akt in the femoral head of rats were up-regulated (P<0.01) while the protein expression of PTEN was down-regulated (P<0.01). Moreover, JPHGP up-regulated the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionJPHGP can repair the vascular injury in AONFH, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of VEGF/VEGFR2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study provides certain scientific basis and reference for the clinical application of JPHGP. ObjecctiveTo observe the repair effect of Jianpi Huogu prescription (JPHGP) on vascular injury in experimental alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (AONFH), and to explore its mechanism based on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR2/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway.
9.Protective Effect of Jianpi Huogu Prescription on Functional Injury of Vascular Endothelial Cells Caused by Alcohol Based on Akt/JNK/p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway
Xiaoxiao WANG ; Lianhua HE ; Changting FANG-LUO ; Qun LI ; Chao YANG ; Zhixing HU ; Weiheng CHEN ; Chunfang LIU ; Lan HAN ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(11):64-71
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Jianpi Huogu prescription (JPHGP) on the functional injury of vascular endothelial cells caused by alcohol and explore its mechanism based on protein kinase B/c-Jun amino-terminal kinase/p38 MAPK (Akt/JNK/p38 MAPK) signaling pathway. MethodThrough chick embryo allantoic membrane, thoracic aortic ring, and migration, invasion, adhesion, and lumen formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), the effect of JPHGP with different concentrations (8, 16 and 32 μg·L-1) on angiogenesis was observed in the presence or absence of alcohol. The expression levels of phosphorylation of Akt, JNK, and p38 MAPK were determined by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group, the number and length of capillaries around the arterial ring in the model group were decreased, and the migration, invasion, and lumen formation capacity of HUVEC were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment with 16 and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP, the length of neovascularization in chick embryo allantoic membrane was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the 8, 16, and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups increased the number of capillaries around the thoracic aortic ring in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP group increased the length of capillaries around the thoracic aortic ring (P<0.05). The 16 and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups enhanced the migration, invasion, and lumen formation capacity of HUVEC. The results of Western blot showed that, as compared with the normal group, the protein expression levels of p-JNK/JNK, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-Akt/Akt were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01), and as compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-Akt/Akt were significantly increased in the 8, 16, and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups (P<0.01) and the protein expression level of p-JNK/JNK was increased significantly in the 16 and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups (P<0.01). ConclusionJPHGP has a protective effect on the functional injury of vascular endothelial cells caused by alcohol, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of Akt/JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Relevant research results will provide certain scientific basis for clarifying the effect of JPHGP on 'invigorating spleen and promoting blood circulation'.
10.Comparative study on pathological characteristics of four different antigen-induced rheumatoid arthritis mouse models
Chao YANG ; Zhi-xing HU ; Shuang-rong GAO ; Ze-ran YAN ; Luo-chang-ting FANG ; Xiao-xiao WANG ; Qun LI ; Qing-wen TAO ; Chun-fang LIU ; Na LIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2023;58(6):1586-1595
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease driven by antigens and mediated by T cells. Collagen II (CII) and fibrinogen (Fib) are the two main antigens in the pathogenesis of RA. The antigen produced after citrulline modification (Cit) is also one of the inducements to induce the body to produce a pathogenic anti-citrulline protein antibody (ACPA). To provide a reference for RA-related research, this study intends to establish an RA animal model by using CII, Cit-CII, Fib, and Cit-Fib antigens, emulsification with complete Freund's adjuvant and immunization with DBA/1 mice, respectively, to compare the pathological characteristics of RA models induced by different antigens from the aspects of pathology, imaging and serum biochemistry. Animal welfare and experimental process are in accordance with the regulations of the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. The results showed that the CII, Cit-CII, and Cit-Fib induced mice all had symptoms such as joint redness and swelling, and toe deformation and the clinical score and incidence rate were higher than those of the normal group. The CII group had the most serious lesions, with a incidence rate of 100%, and the Cit-CII and Cit-Fib groups had mild symptoms, with a incidence rate of 25% and 37.5%, respectively; pathological and imaging examination results showed that the joints of mice in CII-induced group showed severe synovial inflammation, cartilage and bone destruction, while those in Cit-CII and Cit-Fib group showed only slight inflammatory infiltration, joint cavity stenosis and bone destruction; the results of serum antibody detection showed that CII, Cit-CII and Cit-Fib groups all produced high levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, among which, Cit-Fib group > Cit-CII group > CII group > Fib group, and both Cit-CII and Cit-Fib groups produced high levels of citrullinated epitope-specific antibodies, while the total IgG level was the highest in CII group; serum ELISA and RT-PCR analysis of joint tissue showed that the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and bone destruction-related molecules increased most significantly in the CII-induced group, followed by Cit-Fib and Cit-CII. The above results showed that among the four different antigens, the symptoms and conditions of arthritis in RA mice induced by CII were the most serious, and IgG instead of anti-CCP antibody was its typical immunological feature, and CII could be the first choice for the model of RA mice; Cit-Fib has certain immunogenicity, can partially induce the symptoms and conditions of RA arthritis in mice, and produce high-level anti-CCP antibody and anti-Cit-Fib antibody, which is more suitable for the study of citrulline-related RA; although Cit-CII has certain immunogenicity, the incidence, and severity of RA arthritis induced by Cit-CII in mice are low.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail