1.Mechanistic Interpretation of Zheng’s San Qi San Powder in Treating Skeletal Muscle Injury via Bioinformatics Prediction, Chemical Analysis and Experimental Verification
Ding-Rui WANG ; Yun-Xin LIU ; Jun-Jie XU ; Liu YANG ; Jia-Hao LÜ ; Cheng-Yuan XING ; Lei LÜ ; Bei-Bei QIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1028-1047
ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.
2.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Consensus
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
3.Machine learning models established to distinguish OA and RA based on immune factors in the knee joint fluid.
Qin LIANG ; Lingzhi ZHAO ; Yan LU ; Rui ZHANG ; Qiaolin YANG ; Hui FU ; Haiping LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Guoduo LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(4):331-338
Objective Based on 25 indicators including immune factors, cell count classification, and smear results of the knee joint fluid, machine learning models were established to distinguish between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods 100 OA and 40 RA patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were enrolled respectively. Each patient's knee joint fluid was collected preoperatively. Nucleated cells were counted and classified. The expression levels of immune factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), MMP9, MMP13, rheumatoid factor (RF), serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and others were measured. Smears and microscopic classification of all the immune factors were performed. Independent influencing factors for OA or RA were identified using univariate binary logistic regression, Lasso regression, and multivariate binary logistic regression. Based on the independent influencing factors, three machine learning models were constructed which are logistic regression, random forest, and support vector machine. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate and compare the models. Results A total of 5 indicators in the knee joint fluid were screened out to distinguish OA and RA, which were IL-1β(odds ratio(OR)=10.512, 95× confidence interval (95×CI) was 1.048-105.42, P=0.045), IL-6 (OR=1.007, 95×CI was 1.001-1.014, P=0.022), MMP9 (OR=3.202, 95×CI was 1.235-8.305, P=0.017), MMP13 (OR=1.002, 95× CI was 1-1.004, P=0.049), and RF (OR=1.091, 95×CI was 1.01-1.179, P=0.026). According to the results of ROC, calibration curve and DCA, the accuracy (0.979), sensitivity (0.98) and area under the curve (AUC, 0.996, 95×CI was 0.991-1) of the random forest model were the highest. It has good validity and feasibility, and its distinguishing ability is better than the other two models. Conclusion The machine learning model based on immune factors in the knee joint fluid holds significant value in distinguishing OA and RA. It provides an important reference for the clinical early differential diagnosis, prevention and treatment of OA and RA.
Humans
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism*
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Machine Learning
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Synovial Fluid/immunology*
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Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism*
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Knee Joint/metabolism*
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ROC Curve
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Diagnosis, Differential
4.Effects of MTHFR and GGH gene polymorphisms on plasma concentrations and toxicity following high-dose methotrexate therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Lin-Xiao TENG ; Qi AN ; Lei WANG ; Nan WANG ; Qing-Ling KONG ; Rui HAN ; Yuan WANG ; Lu LIU ; Yan WANG ; Shu-Mei XU ; Kun-Peng SHI ; Fang-Shan QIU ; Xi-Xi DU ; Jin-Rui SHI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):802-807
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 and γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) rs11545078 gene polymorphisms on plasma concentrations and toxicity following high-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
METHODS:
Children with ALL treated at the Xuzhou Children's Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to April 2024 were selected for this study. Genotypes of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. MTX plasma concentrations were measured by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique, and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The relationships between MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes and both MTX plasma concentrations and associated toxicities were analyzed.
RESULTS:
In the low-risk ALL group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 72 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with the occurrence of reduced hemoglobin (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with the occurrence of thrombocytopenia (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Detection of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes can be used to predict increased MTX plasma concentrations and the occurrence of toxic reactions in high-dose MTX treatment of ALL, enabling timely interventions to enhance safety.
Humans
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Methotrexate/toxicity*
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Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/genetics*
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Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/blood*
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Male
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Female
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase/genetics*
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Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects*
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Infant
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Polymorphism, Genetic
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Adolescent
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Genotype
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Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
5.Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of cemental tear.
Ye LIANG ; Hongrui LIU ; Chengjia XIE ; Yang YU ; Jinlong SHAO ; Chunxu LV ; Wenyan KANG ; Fuhua YAN ; Yaping PAN ; Faming CHEN ; Yan XU ; Zuomin WANG ; Yao SUN ; Ang LI ; Lili CHEN ; Qingxian LUAN ; Chuanjiang ZHAO ; Zhengguo CAO ; Yi LIU ; Jiang SUN ; Zhongchen SONG ; Lei ZHAO ; Li LIN ; Peihui DING ; Weilian SUN ; Jun WANG ; Jiang LIN ; Guangxun ZHU ; Qi ZHANG ; Lijun LUO ; Jiayin DENG ; Yihuai PAN ; Jin ZHAO ; Aimei SONG ; Hongmei GUO ; Jin ZHANG ; Pingping CUI ; Song GE ; Rui ZHANG ; Xiuyun REN ; Shengbin HUANG ; Xi WEI ; Lihong QIU ; Jing DENG ; Keqing PAN ; Dandan MA ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Dong CHEN ; Liangjun ZHONG ; Gang DING ; Wu CHEN ; Quanchen XU ; Xiaoyu SUN ; Lingqian DU ; Ling LI ; Yijia WANG ; Xiaoyuan LI ; Qiang CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xuedong ZHOU ; Shaohua GE
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):61-61
Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans
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Dental Cementum/injuries*
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Consensus
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
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Tooth Fractures/therapy*
6.Transition of body mass index and metabolic syndrome in patients with major depressive disorder
Han QI ; Chengcheng DONG ; Rui LIU ; Xuequan ZHU ; Xuzhou LIN ; Yanshu QIN ; Zibo YU ; Haining WANG ; Lei LI ; Yuan FENG ; Ling ZHANG ; Fang YAN
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):202-209
Objective To evaluate the transition rules of normal body mass index(BMI),overweight and metabolic syndrome(MetS)in patients with major depressive disorder(MDD).Methods Patients with MDD who had multiple admission records between Jan 2016 and Nov 2021 in Beijing Anding Hospital,Capital Medical University were included.Based on the overweight and metabolic syndrome status assessed at each admission,the patients were categorized into three states:normal BMI,overweight and metabolic syndrome.A multi-state Markov model was used to analyze the transition intensity and transition frequency between three states and the influence of covariates on transitions.Results A total of 892 records of 398 subjects were included,with a median age of 56 years old and 31.4% males.The median follow-up period was 40 months.The multi-state model showed that there were 494 transitions between the three states,of which 5.1% moved from normal BMI to overweight and 5.5% moved from overweight to MetS.The intensity of transition was the highest from overweight to MetS,9.52 times greater than overweight to normal BMI.After 48.53 months,MDD patients with normal BMI began to transition to MetS.For overweight MDD patients,the transition to MetS started after 8.77 months.MDD patients with normal BMI or overweight had 31.4% and 50.4% probabilities of developing Mets after 36 months.For MDD patients comorbid with MetS,the probability of staying at MetS was 51.2% after 36 months.Multivariate analysis showed that being unmarried was a risk factor against developing overweight in normal BMI MDD patients,while a higher level of education was a protective factor against developing MetS in overweight MDD patients.Conclusion MDD patients exhibited a higher intensity and risk of developing MetS,and it is not easy to reverse MetS,suggesting that BMI management and MetS intervention should be strengthened in MDD patients.
7.Research progress on cognition and practice assessment tools for death with dignity
Rui LI ; Lei LUO ; Yafei LIU ; Yu FAN ; Mao LIU ; Jingyi CAI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(29):3941-3946
With the increasing attention of domestic and foreign scholars to death with dignity, the importance of death with dignity in the field of hospice care is becoming increasingly prominent. This study reviews the fundamental concept of death with dignity, comprehensively analyzes the content, application scenarios, advantages, and limitations of various cognition and practice assessment tools for death with dignity at home and abroad, aiming to provide reference for promoting the development and appropriate use of cognition and practice assessment tools for death with dignity in China.
8.Imaging quality and detection capability of bone metastases:Comparison on domestic Insight NM/CT Pro SPECT/CT and Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT scanners
Zhenfeng ZHAO ; Rui WANG ; Weina ZHOU ; Lei LIU ; Xiyan HAO ; Ruilong NIU ; Xuemei WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(6):967-970
Objective To compare imaging quality and detection capability of bone metastases between Insight NM/CT Pro SPECT/CT(Insight SPECT/CT)and Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT(Symbia T16 SPECT/CT)scanners.Methods Totally 40 patients with diagnosed or suspected bone metastases were prospectively enrolled.Whole-body bone imaging and local tomographic fusion imaging were performed using Symbia T16 and Insight SPECT/CT scanners with same method and parameters,and imaging quality and detection capability were compared between 2 devices.Results Among whole-body bone imaging acquired with Symbia T 16 SPECT/CT,the imaging quality score was 5 in 35 cases and 4 in 5 cases,and detected 118 positive bone lesions,including 36 lesions involved chest,28 involved spinal cord,30 involved pelvic bones,20 involved limbs and 4 involved cranial bones.The imaging quality score of local tomographic fusion imaging obtained with Symbia T16 SPECT/CT was 5 in all 40 cases,and 59 positive lesions involved bone regions were detected,including 14 lesions presented as bone destruction,11 presented as increased bone density and 34 showed uneven bone density on CT.Meanwhile,the whole-body bone imaging quality score acquired with Insight SPECT/CT was 5 in 35 cases,4 in 4 cases and 3 in 1 case,and both the detected positive lesions and the involved bone regions were consistent with those of Symbia T 16 SPECT/CT.Furthermore,the imaging quality,detected positive lesions and their involved regions,as well as CT manifestations on local tomographic fusion imaging obtained with Insight SPECT/CT scanner were all consistent with those of Symbia T 16 scanner.Conclusion The imaging quality of whole-body bone imaging and local tomographic fusion imaging of bone metastases of domestic Insight SPECT/CT were comparable to those of Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT.
9.Assessment of Left Atrial Function by 4D Auto Left Atrial Quantification Echocardiography for Differentiation of Pre-capillary and Post-capillary Pulmonary Hypertension
Cuiling LI ; Xinli LEI ; Fei XIAO ; Rui FAN ; Siying LIAO ; Donghong LIU ; Hong LIN ; Fengjuan YAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):667-675
[Objective]To evaluate the utility of left atrial(LA)volume and strain measured by 4D auto left atrial quantification(4D auto LAQ)in differentiating pre-capillary from post-capillary pulmonary hypertension(PH),and to compare its discriminative performance with echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial global strain ratio(ePLAGS).[Methods]A total of ninety-eight subjects with intermediate to high probability of PH were prospectively enrolled.Clinical history and laboratory data were collected.All patients underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography,and LA volume and strain parameters were measured by dedicated commercial software for LA 4D analysis.[Results]Based on pulmonary arterial wedge pressure,patients were divided into pre-capillary PH group[n=39;mean age(53±24)years]and post-capillary PH group[n=59;mean age(57±18)years].Compared to the pre-capillary PH group,the post-capillary PH group showed significantly higher LAVImax,LAVImin and LAVIpreA but markedly lower LASr and LAScd.Multivariate logistic regression identified LAVImax[OR:1.40;95%CI:(1.052,1.872);P=0.021]and LAScd[OR:1.76;95%CI:(1.183,2.489);P=0.004]as independent predictors of post-capillary PH.ROC analysis demonstrated that LAVImax(AUC=0.82,P<0.001)and LAScd(AUC=0.78,P<0.001)had strong discriminating power for predicting post-capillary PH group,with optimal cutoff values of 35.69 mL/m2(sensitivity 86%,specificity 74%)and-9%(sensitivity 80%,specificity70%).[Conclusion]LAVImax and LAScd measured with 4D auto LAQ are robust parameters for distinguishing pre-capillary PH from post-capillary PH.
10.Effects of Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction on the improvement of mouse ulcerative colitis through autophagy regulation via AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway
Ya-fen ZHANG ; Zhen-kui ZUO ; Hong-lei JIAN ; Lin WANG ; Tian-rui LIU ; Lan-xin REN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2198-2205
AIM To investigate the effects of Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction on mouse ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS The mouse model of UC was established by 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)induction.The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the low,medium and high dose Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction groups(3,6,12 g/kg),and sulfasalazine group(300 mg/kg),for 7 days gavage of the appropriate drugs,with 10 mice in each group.The mice had their disease activity index(DAI)and colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)calculated;their colonic length and unit colonic weight measured;their histopathologic changes of colon observed by HE;their colonic ROS,MDA levels and GSH-Px,SOD activities detected by superoxide anion fluorescent probes and kits;their colonic levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their colonic LC3 expression detected by immunofluorescence method;and their colonic AMPK,mTOR and p70S6K protein expressions detected by Western blot method.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed significantly higher DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon weight,pathology score,ROS and MDA content,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β levels,and mTOR and p70S6K protein expression(P<0.01);and significantly lower colon length,GSH-Px and SOD activity,LC3 level,and phosphorylated AMPK protein expression(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction or sulfasalazine shared decreased DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon mass,pathology score,ROS,MDA,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels,mTOR,p70S6K protein expressions(P<0.01);and significantly improved symptomsin terms of the elevated colonic length,GSH-Px,SOD activities,LC3 level,AMPK protein expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction may attenuate inflammatory response and oxidative damage in UC mouse models via AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.

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