Objective To longitudinally investigate the characteristics of postoperative weight changes in patients with esophageal cancer and analyze its influencing factors, which can provide certain guidance for nutritional intervention in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods Patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital from December 2020 to February 2022 were prospectively included. The general information questionnaire and body composition analyzer were used to longitudinally investigate the patients’ weight and body composition before surgery (T0), 1 month after surgery (T1), 3 months after surgery (T2) and 6 months after surgery (T3), and the change characteristics were analyzed. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the influencing factors for postoperative weight changes in patients with esophageal cancer. Results A total of 130 patients were enrolled, including 110 males and 20 females, aged 42-79 (63.33±8.16) years. The weight and body composition of patients with esophageal cancer showed a continuous slow downward trend within 6 months after surgery. The weight loss rate of patients at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery was 5.10%, 7.76%, and 9.86%, respectively. The analysis results of the influencing factors for postoperative weight showed that patients with the following characteristics had more weight loss: female (β=−7.703, P=0.001), ≥60 years (β=−3.657, P=0.010), smoking (β=4.622, P=0.010), low tumor differentiation degree (β=4.314, P=0.039), and high frequency of eating (β=−3.400, P=0.008). Conclusion Weight loss is an important health problem for patients with esophageal cancer after surgery, and patients have a continuous downward trend in weight within 6 months after surgery. Medical staff should pay special attention to the patients who are female, ≥60 years, having smoking history and low tumor differentiation degree.

Objective To study the mini-character and microscopic features of Plantago asiatica from different populations and summarize the exclusive features to provide a reference for the effective identification of Plantago asiatica. Methods Stereomicroscope and optical microscope were used to identify 30 batches of Plantago asiatica from different populations.The similarities and differences in mini-character and microscopic features of Plantago asiatica among different populations were identified. Results The differences in mini character between the Plantago asiatica from different populations were mainly reflected in whether there was fluff on the surface of leaves, inflorescence peduncles, and persistent sepals, as well as whether the epidermis of fibrous roots was flaky. The differences in microscopic characteristics between the Plantago asiatica from different populations were mainly reflected in the number of non-glandular hairs on the leaf surface, the shape of the petiole endothelial layer cells, and the number of large vascular bundles, and the number of layers of mesophyll palisade tissue cells, etc. Conclusion Plantago asiatica from different populations can be identified through mini-character and microscopic; by comparing the relevant identification features, which can provide a basis for revising and improving the standards of Plantago asiatica.

AIM:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of paeoniflorin(PF)on lipopolysac-charide(LPS)-induced intestinal injury in septic mice,using a combination of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and animal experiments.METHODS:Network pharmacology was used to identify key active components and therapeutic targets of Red Peony for treating sepsis.Molecular docking was performed to explore the binding affinity be-tween PF and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1).An LPS-induced mouse model of sepsis with intestinal injury was es-tablished.Samples were collected 24 h after modeling,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe pathological changes in intestinal tissues.Chiu's scoring system was utilized to evaluate the extent of intestinal injury.En-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure levels of inflammatory factors in intestinal tissues,including interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18,as well as indicators of intestinal permeability such as diamine oxidase(DAO)and intestinal-type fatty acid-binding protein(I-FABP),alongside serum levels of D-lactate and the aerobic gly-colysis product L-lactate.Western blot analysis was performed to assess changes in protein levels of SIRT1,M2-type pyru-vate kinase(PKM2),and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)in intestinal tissues.RESULTS:Network pharmacolo-gy suggested that paeoniflorin,an active component of Red Peony,treats sepsis by targeting SIRT1 among other proteins.Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity of PF with SIRT1.In vivo experimentation revealed significant patho-logical damage in intestinal tissues in the LPS group compared to the control group as evidenced by HE staining.Chiu's score,along with levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate were significantly elevated,while DAO and I-FABP levels were reduced(P＜0.05).SIRT1 expression decreased,while PKM2 and NLRP3 levels increased(P＜0.05).In contrast,the LPS+PF group displayed reduced intestinal histopathological injury,lower Chiu's scores,and decreased levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate,along with increased DAO and I-FABP levels(P＜0.05).Notably,SIRT1 protein expression increased while PKM2 and NLRP3 levels decreased(P＜0.05).Furthermore,compared to the LPS+PF group,the LPS+PF+EX527 group exhibited exacerbated intestinal histopathological injury,increased Chiu's scores,as well as elevated levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate,alongside reduced DAO and I-FABP levels(P＜0.05),decreased SIRT1 expression,and increased PKM2 and NLRP3 levels(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Paeoni-florin effectively alleviates intestinal injury in mice with sepsis,potentially through the upregulation of SIRT1 expression and the inhibition of PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis,which subsequently reduces the activation of NLRP3 inflamma-somes,mitigates the release of inflammatory factors,and lessens intestinal inflammation.

Jiegeng decoction is a classic prescription composed of two Chinese medicinal herbs： Platycodon grandiflorum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. It has the efficacy of diffusing lung qi， resolving phlegm， relieving sore throat and discharging pus， and is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as cough and pharyngodynia. This article reviews the chemical components， pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications of Jiegeng decoction. It was found that Jiegeng decoction contains triterpenoid saponins， flavonoids， glycosides， acids， and other components， with platycodin D， platycodin D2， glycyrrhizic acid， glycyrrhetinic acid， liquiritin， etc.， serving as the main active pharmaceutical ingredients. Jiegeng decoction and its chemical constituents exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB and mitogen- activated protein kinases， and demonstrate anti-tumor activities through mechanisms like modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and promoting cancer cell apoptosis. Additionally， it exhibits various pharmacological actions including antibacterial， antiviral， and antioxidant effects. Clinically， Jiegeng decoction， its modified prescription and compound combinations are widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as cough， pneumonia， and pharyngitis， as well as digestive system disorders like constipation.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of paeoniflorin(PF)in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)in mice.Methods Mouse SA-AKI model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg LPS.Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice(6～8 weeks old,weighing 20～25 g)were randomly divided into Control group,model group,PF group(intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg PF 30 min before LPS administration),and β-catenin specific agonist BML284 group(10 mg/kg BML284 by intraperitoneal injection after 50 mg/kg PF administration).The renal histopathological changes were observed by HE staining and Paller scoring.ELISA was used to determine the contents of serum creatinine(Scr),neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL)and lactate,and renal contents of hexokinase 2(HK2),lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),IL-1β and IL-18.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of total β-catenin,p-β-cateninY654,nucleus β-catenin and c-Myc.Results Compared with the Control group,the LPS group showed obviously damaged renal tissue,higher Paller score(P＜0.05),increased serum Scr and NGAL levels(P＜0.05),elevated renal contents of aerobic glycolytic indexes such as HK2,LDHA and serum lactate,as well as contents of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.05),and enhanced expression of total β-catenin,p-β-cateninY654,nucleus β-catenin and c-Myc in the renal tissue(P＜0.05).PF treatment attenuated the renal tissue damage,decreased Paller score(P＜0.05),reduced serum Scr and NGAL levels(P＜0.05),HK2,LDHA and serum lactate levels,and contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in renal tissues(P＜0.05),and down-regulated the renal expression of total β-catenin,p-β-cateninY654,nucleusβ-catenin and c-Myc when compared with the levels in the model group(P＜0.05).While,addition of BML284 reversed above effects of PF treatment with significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion PF can alleviate SA-AKI,and its mechanism may be through its inhibiting the β-catenin/c-Myc pathway,thus reducing the aerobic glycolysis level and inflammatory response in renal tissue.

Objective To investigate the effects of paeoniflorin(PF)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced aerobic glycolysis in renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 and its underlying mechanism of action.Methods This study consists of a preliminary experiment and a formal experiment.Preliminary experiment:CCK-8 assay and RT-qPCR were used respectively to measure cell viability and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors in HK-2 cells after LPS stimulation to determine the optimal LPS concentration for modeling as well as to evaluate the toxicity of PF and screen for its appropriate concentration.Formal experiment:HK-2 cells were divided into control group(CON group),LPS group,LPS+PF group and LPS+PF+740Y-P group.LPS was used to establish a cell model of sepsis associated-acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)in HK-2 cells,and then the cell model was treated with PF and PI3K activator 740Y-P,correspondingly for 24 h.CCK-8 assay was employed to detect cell viability,and Extracellular Acidification Rate(ECAR)Kit was utilized to measure the rate.The contents of IL-1β,IL-18,lactic acid(Lac)and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA)were determined with ELISA.Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT,HIF-1α,pyruvate kinase 2(PKM2,a key enzyme in aerobic glycolysis)and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),and immunofluorescence assay was performed to observe the expression and distribution of PKM2.Results ① Our preliminary experiment identified that the optimal concentration of LPS for modeling was 20.0 μg/mL,a safe dosage range of PF was 0～100.0 μmol/L,and its optimal therapeutic concentration was 25.0 μmol/L.② Compared with the CON group,LPS stimulation resulted in significantly decreased cell viability(P<0.05),increased ECAR(P<0.05),elevated contents of IL-1β,IL-18,Lac and LDHA(P<0.05),up-regulated protein levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,HIF-1α,p-PKM2 and NLRP3(P<0.05),and enhanced fluorescence intensity of PKM2 in the nucleus of cells(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,PF treatment reversed all above effects induced by LPS stimulation(all P<0.05).Compared with the LPS+PF group,in the LPS+PF+740Y-P group,ECAR was elevated(P<0.05),the contents of IL-1β,IL-18,Lac and LDHA were increased(P<0.05),and the relative expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,HIF-1α,p-PKM2 and NLRP3 were increased(P<0.05),and the fluorescence intensity of PKM2 was strengthened(P<0.05)and enhanced in the nucleus(P<0.05).Conclusion PF reduces aerobic glycolysis in HK-2 cells and alleviates the inflammatory response by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway.

AIM:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of paeoniflorin(PF)on lipopolysac-charide(LPS)-induced intestinal injury in septic mice,using a combination of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and animal experiments.METHODS:Network pharmacology was used to identify key active components and therapeutic targets of Red Peony for treating sepsis.Molecular docking was performed to explore the binding affinity be-tween PF and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1).An LPS-induced mouse model of sepsis with intestinal injury was es-tablished.Samples were collected 24 h after modeling,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe pathological changes in intestinal tissues.Chiu's scoring system was utilized to evaluate the extent of intestinal injury.En-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure levels of inflammatory factors in intestinal tissues,including interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18,as well as indicators of intestinal permeability such as diamine oxidase(DAO)and intestinal-type fatty acid-binding protein(I-FABP),alongside serum levels of D-lactate and the aerobic gly-colysis product L-lactate.Western blot analysis was performed to assess changes in protein levels of SIRT1,M2-type pyru-vate kinase(PKM2),and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)in intestinal tissues.RESULTS:Network pharmacolo-gy suggested that paeoniflorin,an active component of Red Peony,treats sepsis by targeting SIRT1 among other proteins.Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity of PF with SIRT1.In vivo experimentation revealed significant patho-logical damage in intestinal tissues in the LPS group compared to the control group as evidenced by HE staining.Chiu's score,along with levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate were significantly elevated,while DAO and I-FABP levels were reduced(P＜0.05).SIRT1 expression decreased,while PKM2 and NLRP3 levels increased(P＜0.05).In contrast,the LPS+PF group displayed reduced intestinal histopathological injury,lower Chiu's scores,and decreased levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate,along with increased DAO and I-FABP levels(P＜0.05).Notably,SIRT1 protein expression increased while PKM2 and NLRP3 levels decreased(P＜0.05).Furthermore,compared to the LPS+PF group,the LPS+PF+EX527 group exhibited exacerbated intestinal histopathological injury,increased Chiu's scores,as well as elevated levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate,alongside reduced DAO and I-FABP levels(P＜0.05),decreased SIRT1 expression,and increased PKM2 and NLRP3 levels(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Paeoni-florin effectively alleviates intestinal injury in mice with sepsis,potentially through the upregulation of SIRT1 expression and the inhibition of PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis,which subsequently reduces the activation of NLRP3 inflamma-somes,mitigates the release of inflammatory factors,and lessens intestinal inflammation.

AIM:The effects and mechanisms of paeoniflorin(PF)on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)in mice were investigated based on cellular pyroptosis and the JNK/NEK7/NLRP3 pathway.METHODS:A murine SA-AKI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice aged 6～8 weeks were divided into four groups(n=6)using a randomized numerical table method:control(Con)group(an equal amount of DMSO-containing PBS was injected intraperitoneally at the same time);LPS group(LPS was injected intraperitoneally at 15 mg/kg);LPS+PF group(PF was injected intraperitoneally at 50 mg/kg for 30 min prior to modeling);and LPS+PF+anisomycin group(intraperitoneal injection of PF 50 mg/kg and JNK agonist anisomycin 20 mg/kg 30 min before modeling).Samples were taken 24 h after modeling.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissues,and Paller scoring of renal injury was performed.ELISA was used to detect the levels of renal in-jury markers:blood creatinine(Scr),kidney injury molecule 1(KIM-1),and the inflammatory factors interleukin 1β(IL-1β)and IL-18.Western blot was used to detect changes in phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK),NIMA-relat-ed expressed kinase 7(NEK7),nucleotide oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),and N-ter-minal fragment of gasdermin D(GSDMD-N)protein levels.RESULTS:Compared with the Con group,HE staining in the LPS group showed congestion and edema in renal tissues,granular or cell-like tubular patterns in the dilated tubular lu-men of renal tubules,and congestion and edema in the renal interstitium.Paller scores,Scr,serum KIM-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 levels in renal tissues were elevated(P<0.05).The expression of p-JNK,NEK7,NLRP3,and GSDMD-N also in-creased(P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the LPS+PF group exhibited reduced renal histopathological injury,decreased Paller score,Scr,serum KIM-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 levels(P<0.05),and decreased protein expression of p-JNK,NEK7,NLRP3,and GSDMD-N(P<0.05).Compared with the LPS+PF group,the LPS+PF+anisomycin group showed increased renal histopathological injury,Paller score,Scr,serum KIM-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 levels(P<0.05),and increased expression of p-JNK,NEK7,NLRP3,and GSDMD-N(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Paeoniflorin may at-tenuate SA-AKI by inhibiting the JNK/NEK7/NLRP3 signaling pathway and downregulating cellular pyroptosis.

To prepare a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based subunit vaccine of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigen EsxV and study its immunological characteristics, the LNP containing EsxV and c-di-AMP (EsxV: C: L) was prepared by thin film dispersion method, and its encapsulation rate, LNP morphology, particle size, surface charge and polyphase dispersion index were measured. BALB/c mice were immunized with EsxV: C: L by nasal drops. The levels of serum and mucosal antibodies, transcription and secretion of cytokines in lung and spleen, and the proportion of T cell subsets were detected after immunization. EsxV: C: L LNPs were obtained with uniform size and they were spherical and negatively charged. Compared with EsxV: C immunization, EsxV: C: L mucosal inoculation induced increased sIgA level in respiratory tract mucosa. Levels of IL-2 secreted from spleen and ratios of memory T cells and tissue-resident T cells in mice were also elevated. In conclusion, EsxV: C: L could induce stronger mucosal immunity and memory T cell immune responses, which may provide better protection against Mtb infection.
Animals ; Mice ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Antigens, Bacterial ; Immunization ; Nanoparticles ; Vaccines, Subunit ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic regulated cell death caused by iron accumulation and subsequent lipid peroxidation. Currently, the therapeutic role of ferroptosis on cancer is gaining increasing interest. Baicalin an active component in