1.Effect of Astragali Radix on Gut Microbiota and GLP-1 in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Qi Deficiency Type
Keke HOU ; Lin CHEN ; Zhidan ZHANG ; Yunyi YANG ; Fangli ZHANG ; Yuanying XU ; Hongping YIN ; Lan DING ; Tao LEI ; Wenjun SHA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):161-170
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Astragali Radix-mediated changes in gut microbiota on treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM). MethodsA 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled eighty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control in the Qi deficiency type. All patients received insulin therapy. The observation group (40 cases) was administered with Astragali Radix Granules, while the control group (40 cases) received a placebo. Both treamtents were taken orally twice daily. Changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16s rDNA sequencing. Serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Glucose metabolism indicators including fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 h PG),glycated albumin(GA), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were evaluated. Pancreatic function was evaluated using fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (2 h CP), and C-peptide area under the curve (AUCcp). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy, and safety indicators were also observed. ResultsIn terms of glucose metabolism indicators, compared with the baseline, both groups exhibited significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C (P<0.01),while FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after the treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C(P<0.05, P<0.01),and significantly higher FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that Astragali Radix can improve glucose metabolism. In terms of the diversity of gut microbiota, no significant differences were detected in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of the two groups compared with their respective baselines. However, compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group demonstrated significant increases in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). The β-diversity analysis showed significant separation in gut microbiota composition before and after treatment in both groups, indicating that Astragali Radix can significantly alter the structure and improve the diversity of gut microbiota. At the phylum level, compared with the baseline, both groups showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). The relative abundance of the potentially harmful phylum Proteobacteria was significantly lower in the observation Group after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio between the two groups after treatment, and other phyla showed no significant differences. At the genus level, compared with the baseline, the observation group exhibited a significant increase in Bacteroides (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in Escherichia-Shigella (P<0.01), whereas no significant difference was seen in the control group . Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group after treatment had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroides (P<0.01). No significant differences were seen in other genera. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) identified potential characteristics taxa: in the observation group, Bacteroidota at the phylum level and Bacteroides and Dubosiella at the genus level, in the control group, Proteobacteria at the phylum level as well as Barnesiella and Staphylococcus at the genus level. Correlation analysis based on a heatmap revealed that GLP-1 levels were positively correlated with Firmicutes, F/B ratio and Fusobacterium, and negatively correlated with Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella. In terms of clinical efficacy, compared with the control group, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the scores for shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, spontaneous sweating and reluctance to speak significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the score for weakness was significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix could improve clinical symptoms and alleviate weakness symptoms. In terms of safety, compared with the baseline, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix did not induce any significant abnormalities in liver and kidney functions. ConclusionAstragali Radix demonstrates the potential to significantly improve the gut microbiota environment in patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with Qi deficiency. The therapeutic effect may contribute to glycemic control, possibly mediated by an elevation in GLP-1 level. These findings may support its further clinical investigations and potential applications.
2.Rapid health technology assessment of lecanemab in the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease
Pian SHA ; Xiaojie WANG ; Tao WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):504-509
OBJECTIVE To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of lecanemab in the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, Embase, and the official websites of leading health technology assessment (HTA) agencies was conducted for randomized controlled trials, pharmacoeconomic studies, meta-analyses/systematic reviews, and HTA reports on lecanemab published up to October 2025. After screening against predefined eligibility criteria, methodological quality was appraised with validated tools, relevant data were extracted, and the findings were synthesized qualitatively. RESULTS A total of 6 studies were included, consisting of 3 randomized controlled trials and 3 pharmacoeconomic evaluations. In terms of efficacy, lecanemab significantly slowed cognitive decline by 27% compared to placebo, reduced the decline in daily activity ability by 37%, and markedly reduced intracerebral amyloid levels. Regarding safety, the incidence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) was higher in the lecanemab group than in the control group, with the incidence of edema/effusion of 12.6% (vs. 1.7% in the placebo group), and the incidence of hemorrhage/hemosiderin deposition of 17.3% (vs. 9.0% in the placebo group). Economically, the estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of lecanemab compared with standard treatment exceeded commonly used willingness-to-pay thresholds in the United States (USD 50 000-150 000 per QALY). CONCLUSIONS Lecanemab confers significant cognitive protection in early-stage AD; however, it is associated with a relatively high risk of ARIA and economic burden.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Danggui Liuhuang Tang in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Yin Deficiency and Fire Excess Syndrome
Yuanying XU ; Shanshan YU ; Xinyan JIN ; MAREYANMU·ROSE ; Cheng CHEN ; Wenjun SHA ; Tao LEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):163-172
ObjectiveThis study aims to observe the clinical effect of Danggui Liuhuang Tang (DGLHT) on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) at high risk, focus on evaluating the influence of DGLHT on cardiovascular risk indicators such as flow-mediated dilation (FMD), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), and explore the regulatory effect of DGLHT on the myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor-kappa B (MyD88/NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsThe clinical study was a single-center, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial. A total of 68 patients with T2DM-ASCVD at high risk for cardiovascular events with Yin deficiency and fire excess syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was given atorvastatin calcium tablets and DGLHT, while the control group was given atorvastatin calcium tablets and placebos. The treatment course was 12 weeks, with a final study completion of 30 patients in the treatment group and 29 in the control group. Changes in cardiovascular risk indicators such as FMD, AIP, TyG, and small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) index were compared. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to establish a vascular endothelial injury and inflammation model. The protective effect of DGLHT on endothelial injury was verified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot . ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the AIP in the treatment group significantly decreased compared with that before the treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant improvements in FMD and TyG (P<0.05). Additionally, the treatment group demonstrated significant reductions in two-hour postprandial glucose (2 hPG), glycated albumin (GA), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein E (Apo E), and sdLDL-C (P<0.05). Analysis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome efficacy indicated that in the treatment group, Yin deficiency and fire excess syndromes, including dry throat and mouth (P<0.05), excessive thirst (P<0.01), tidal fever and night sweats (P<0.05), and dry stools (P<0.05), improved. Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant improvements in symptoms of dry throat and mouth (P<0.05) and excessive thirst (P<0.01). TCM syndrome scores significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the overall efficacy rate was 56.67%, significantly higher than the 10.34% observed in the control group (P<0.01). At the cellular level, increasing concentrations of DGLHT led to decreased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated HUVECs (P<0.01), with significant reductions in the high-concentration group (P<0.01). DGLHT may inhibit the expressions of MyD88 and phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB p65 proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. ConclusionDGLHT shows significant effects in reducing cardiovascular risks and may exert an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. This finding provides a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals with T2DM-ASCVD.
4.Bacterial Diversity in Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere Soil of Angelica sinensis in Continuous Cropping and Effects of Different Disease Control Measures
Zhanwen TANG ; Tao YANG ; Tong PENG ; Yinquan WANG ; Jiang ZHAO ; Jie SHA ; Zhiye WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):199-207
ObjectiveTo investigate the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere soil and phyllosphere of Angelica sinensis and examine the effects of foliar applications of a composite bacterial agent,salicylic acid,and coronatine on the bacterial diversity,disease incidence,and plant yield,thus providing a theoretical basis and guidance for the artificial construction of functional minimal communities and the regulation of rhizosphere through foliar treatments. MethodsUnder continuous cropping conditions in the field,foliar applications of a composite bacterial agent,salicylic acid,coronatine,and sterile water were conducted. The 100-plant weight was measured via the conventional method,and the incidence of diseases was recorded. The microbial community composition,diversity,and inter-group differences in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil of A. sinensis were analyzed by 16S high-throughput sequencing,and the potential microbial functions were predicted. ResultsCompared with the blank control,foliar applications of salicylic acid and coronatine both significantly reduced the yield and root rot incidence of A. sinensis. The foliar application of salicylic acid decreased the content of ferulic acid and increased that of ligustilide. The foliar application of coronatine increased the content of both ferulic acid and ligustilide. The microbial communities and functions in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil were significantly different. The phyllosphere had lower microbial diversity,with all bacteria being Gram-negative,mainly Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria with limited functions. The rhizosphere soil had higher microbial diversity,harboring dominant phyla including Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Acidobacteria,and Bacteroidetes with rich functions. All foliar treatments regulated the microbial community in the rhizosphere soil,with a more significant effect on the microbial community in the rhizosphere soil than that in the phyllosphere. The coronatine treatment significantly reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria and nitrate-reducing and aromatic compound-degrading microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil,thus affecting nutrient cycling and autotoxic substance degradation and leading to a yield reduction. Compared with the salicylic acid treatment,the coronatine treatment significantly increased the abundance of Bacillus and Streptomyces in the rhizosphere soil,demonstrating enhanced disease control efficacy. ConclusionFoliar application of coronatine and salicylic acid can significantly regulate the composition and function of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil,thereby reducing the disease incidence and the plant yield.
5.Precise Magnetic Stimulation of the Paraventricular Nucleus Improves Sociability in a Mouse Model of ASD.
Sha LIU ; Quyang YANG ; Pengfei ZHU ; Xuan LIU ; Qingbo LU ; Jie YANG ; Jingyao GAO ; Hongbin HAN ; Zhijun ZHANG ; Ning GU ; Tao TAN ; Jianfei SUN
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(10):1711-1728
Magnetic stimulation has made significant strides in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Nonetheless, current magnetic stimulation techniques lack the precision to accurately modulate specific nuclei and cannot realize deep brain magnetic stimulation. To address this, we utilized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as mediators to achieve precise targeting and penetration. We investigated the effects of magnetic fields with varying frequencies on neuronal activity and compared the activation effects on neurons using a 10-Hz precise magneto-stimulation system (pMSS) with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in mice. Oxytocin levels, dendritic morphology and density, and mouse behavior were measured before and after pMSS intervention. Our findings suggest that pMSS can activate oxytocinergic neurons, leading to upregulation of oxytocin secretion and neurite outgrowth. As a result, sociability was rapidly improved after a one-week pMSS treatment regimen. These results demonstrate a promising magneto-stimulation method for regulating neuronal activity in deep brain nuclei and provide a promising therapeutic approach for autism spectrum disorder.
Animals
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Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology*
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Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/methods*
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Male
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Social Behavior
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Mice
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Oxytocin/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Neurons/physiology*
6.Mechanism of Exogenous Melatonin in Inhibiting Early Bolting in Angelica sinensis
Jiang ZHAO ; Zhanwen TANG ; Tao YANG ; Jie SHA ; Tong PENG ; Weiwen LU ; Yinquan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):234-240
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of different sizes of seedlings and melatonin treatment on physiological and biochemical indicators and bolting-related gene expression in Angelica sinensis, find substances related to early bolting, and elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of melatonin on bolting. MethodsSpectrophotometry was used to detect the related enzyme activities of A. sinensis leaves. The contents of endogenous hormones and polyamines were detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of bolting-related genes. Inter-group differential indicator analysis, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and principal component analysis were comprehensively applied to identify factors related to early bolting. ResultsEndogenous jasmonic acid and melatonin were identified as the most important factors affecting early bolting. Secondly, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, abscisic acid content, gibberellin content, and the expression levels of CO3, HD3A, and FD genes had important effects on the bolting process. Compared with small seedlings, exogenous melatonin treatment mainly inhibited early bolting by increasing endogenous melatonin content, reducing gibberellin content, and decreasing the expression levels of SOC1 and FD genes. ConclusionExogenous melatonin can inhibit early bolting in A. sinensis by regulating its physiological, biochemical, and gene expression levels.
7.Mechanism of Exogenous Melatonin in Inhibiting Early Bolting in Angelica sinensis
Jiang ZHAO ; Zhanwen TANG ; Tao YANG ; Jie SHA ; Tong PENG ; Weiwen LU ; Yinquan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):234-240
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of different sizes of seedlings and melatonin treatment on physiological and biochemical indicators and bolting-related gene expression in Angelica sinensis, find substances related to early bolting, and elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of melatonin on bolting. MethodsSpectrophotometry was used to detect the related enzyme activities of A. sinensis leaves. The contents of endogenous hormones and polyamines were detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of bolting-related genes. Inter-group differential indicator analysis, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and principal component analysis were comprehensively applied to identify factors related to early bolting. ResultsEndogenous jasmonic acid and melatonin were identified as the most important factors affecting early bolting. Secondly, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, abscisic acid content, gibberellin content, and the expression levels of CO3, HD3A, and FD genes had important effects on the bolting process. Compared with small seedlings, exogenous melatonin treatment mainly inhibited early bolting by increasing endogenous melatonin content, reducing gibberellin content, and decreasing the expression levels of SOC1 and FD genes. ConclusionExogenous melatonin can inhibit early bolting in A. sinensis by regulating its physiological, biochemical, and gene expression levels.
8.Comparison of all-inside and conventional tunnel reconstructions for posterior cruciate ligament injuries
Qiaoqiao MA ; Chengshang YAN ; Shan ZHANG ; Lei SHA ; Tao JIANG ; Yong LIU ; Zihao WANG ; Chuankai ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(5):431-437
Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes between all-inside and conventional transtibial tunnel reconstructions for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of the 108 patients who had been treated for PCL injuries at Department of Arthrosis Surgery, Xuzhou Renci Hospital, from March 2021 to March 2023. There were 48 females and 60 males, with an age of (30.3±10.8) years and an injury-to-surgery interval of (25.7±6.4) days. Of them, 49 left and 59 right knees were affected. By the difference in the tunnel reconstruction, the patients were divided into 2 groups: an all-inside group ( n=52) in which the PCL was reconstructed using the all-inside techniques and a conventional group in which the PCL was reconstructed using the conventional techniques. The following were observed and compared: operation time and postoperative hospital stay; visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores and Lysholm knee function scores at preoperation, postoperative 3 months and the last follow-up; posterior drawer test, posterior sag sign, reverse Lachman test and the diameter and morphology of the PCL shown by the knee joint MRI at the last follow-up. Results:The baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (12.3±1.2) months. The all-inside group incurred significantly longer operation time [(128.3±7.6) min] than the conventional group [(103.5±6.9) min] ( P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in postoperative hospital stay between the 2 groups ( P> 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS pain score, IKDC subjective score, or Lysholm score between the 2 groups at preoperation, postoperative 3 months or the last follow-up ( P>0.05). In both groups, the VAS pain scores, IKDC subjective scores and Lysholm scores at postoperative 3 months and the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those at preoperation ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the posterior drawer test, posterior sag sign, reverse Lachman test were negative in both groups, and the knee joint MRI showed good diameter and morphology of the PCL reconstructed. Conclusions:Both conventional and all-inside reconstructions yield satisfactory clinical outcomes for PCL injuries, demonstrating comparable functional recovery and complication incidence. However, the all-inside technique requires longer operation time than the conventional approach.
9.Multidisciplinary expert consensus on weight management for overweight and obese children and adolescents based on healthy lifestyle
HONG Ping, MA Yuguo, TAO Fangbiao, XU Yajun, ZHANG Qian, HU Liang, WEI Gaoxia, YANG Yuexin, QIAN Junwei, HOU Xiao, ZHANG Yimin, SUN Tingting, XI Bo, DONG Xiaosheng, MA Jun, SONG Yi, WANG Haijun, HE Gang, CHEN Runsen, LIU Jingmin, HUANG Zhijian, HU Guopeng, QIAN Jinghua, BAO Ke, LI Xuemei, ZHU Dan, FENG Junpeng, SHA Mo, Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & ; Health Promotion, Key Laboratory of Sports and Physical Fitness of the Ministry of Education,〖JZ〗 Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Key Core Technical Integration System and Equipment,〖JZ〗 Key Laboratory of Exercise Rehabilitation Science of the Ministry of Education
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1673-1680
Abstract
In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.
10.Effect of WTAP on collagen deposition in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Yunsen Yunsen ; Zhenyu Liu ; Zhiyan Liu ; Lichan Lin ; Jiming Sha ; Hui Tao ; Qi Chen
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):266-271
Objective :
To explore the effect of Wilms′ tumor 1-associated protein(WTAP) on tissue collagen deposition in pulmonary fibrosis caused by bleomycin.
Methods :
60 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group(Control group), Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis group(BLM group), pulmonary fibrosis lentivirus empty vector control group(BLM+LV-NC group), pulmonary fibrosis WTAP lentivirus group virus group(BLM+LV-WTAP group). Experimental pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of bleomycin(35 mg/kg) into the abdomen, twice a week for a total of 8 times. After modeling, Western Blot was used to detect the protein expression of fibrosis-related markers α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), type I collagen(Collagen Ⅰ), fibronectin(Fibronectin), and WTAP protein. Masson staining and Sirius Red staining were used to detect collagen deposition. RT-qPCR was used to detect WTAP mRNA expression, WTAP lentivirus infection effect, and Collagen Ⅰ mRNA expression.
Results:
Compared with the Control group, the expression of pulmonary fibrosis markers α-SMA(P<0.001), Collagen Ⅰ(P<0.001), and Fibronectin(P<0.01) protein in the BLM group all increased. Masson staining(P<0.001) and Sirius Red staining(P<0.001) confirmed that significant collagen deposition occurred in the lung tissue of the BLM group. In addition, the expression of WTAP protein in the lung tissue of the BLM group increased(P<0.01). Compared with the Control group, the expression of WTAP mRNA in the BLM group increased(P<0.001). Compared with the BLM+LV-NC group, the expression of WTAP mRNA in the tissues of the BLM+LV-WTAP group decreased(P<0.001), proving that virus infection is effective. After infection with WTAP lentivirus, collagen fiber deposition decreased(P<0.001), Collagen Ⅰ mRNA(P<0.001) level decreased, and protein(P<0.001) expression decreased in the BLM+LV-WTAP group.
Conclusion
Knocking down of WTAP can reduce collagen deposition in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis tissue in mice and improve experimental pulmonary fibrosis.


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