OBJECTIVE: Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma (Hongjingtian in Chinese, RCRR), the roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola crenulata and its application in the medicinal market is very chaotic. In this study, DNA barcoding database and identification engine of Rhodiola species were established, decoction pieces from the medicinal market were identified, and the application and challenges of DNA barcoding in the rapid radiation of Rhodiola species were analyzed. This study provides reference for the protection, rational development, and utilization of endangered resources within Rhodiola species. METHODS: A total of 50 original plant samples from 20 species of the genus Rhodiola from Hebei, Xinjiang, Tibet, Jilin, and other major production areas were collected. Theses samples cover the typical distribution area (Qinghai-Tibetan Platea) of Rhodiola species and other scattered alpine regions (Changbai Mountain, Taibai Mountain, Lushan Mountain, etc.), it encompasses all Rhodiola species with thick rhizomes in China. ITS2 and psbA-trnH barcode of Rhodiola database (BORD) were established and an identification engine named Rhodiola-IDE was developed. The stability and accuracy of the standard DNA barcoding database were evaluated using two datasets. Rhodiola-IDE identified 31 decoction pieces of RCRR from the medicinal material market. RESULTS: The BORD containing 1 532 sequences of 88 Rhodiola species has been established, and the identification efficiency results showed good accuracy and stability. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition), 23 samples (74.2%) were identified as authentic R. crenulata, while the rest of the marketed varieties were R. kirilowii, R. dumulosa, and R. fastigiata. The product label "Larger flower, Hongjingtian" was identified as R. crenulata. Samples labeled as "Smaller flower, Hongjingtian" were identified as R. crenulata, R. kirilowii, and R. fastigiata. CONCLUSION ITS2 and psbA-trnH barcodes can identify monophyletic groups represented by R. crenulata. However, for non-monophyletic species, it is necessary to collect as many samples as possible and combine them with multiple markers for joint identification. This study discussed the application and challenges of DNA barcodes in Rhodiola under rapid radiation conditions, providing a scientific basis for the rational development and utilization of Rhodiola varieties.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) for identifying coronary functional abnormalities.Methods:This diagnostic study enrolled patients with clinically suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between December 2021 and June 2022. All enrolled patients successfully underwent invasive wire-based FFR and IMR measurements during angiography. In a core laboratory, FFR and IMR for the target vessels were measured using artificial intelligence technology based on coronary angiographic images. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between angiography-derived FFR and wire-based FFR, and between angiography-derived IMR and wire-based IMR. Coronary hemodynamic abnormality was defined as FFR≤0.80; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived FFR for identifying this abnormality was evaluated. Microcirculatory dysfunction was defined as IMR≥25; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived IMR for identifying microcirculatory dysfunction was evaluated.Results:A total of 181 patients, aged (60.6±8.8) years, with 62 (34.3%) females, and 181 target vessels were included in the final analysis. Angiography-derived FFR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based FFR ( r=0.78, P<0.001). For identifying coronary hemodynamic abnormality, angiography-derived FFR showed an accuracy of 89.0%, sensitivity of 88.8%, specificity of 89.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.1%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( AUC) of 0.88. Angiography-derived IMR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based IMR ( r=0.93, P<0.001). For identifying microcirculatory dysfunction, angiography-derived IMR demonstrated an accuracy of 89.5%, sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 90.2%, PPV of 70.2%, NPV of 96.3%, and an AUC of 0.95. Conclusion:Angiography-derived FFR and IMR exhibit strong correlations with their invasive wire-based counterparts and demonstrate high diagnostic value for assessing coronary hemodynamics and coronary microcirculatory function.

Reninoma is a rare renal secretory tumor，prevalent in the young population. This disease is mostly surgically resected，and the use of microwave ablation to treat reninoma in children is scarce. A case of reninoma in a child was reported in this paper. The patient presented with refractory hypertension，hypokalemia，hyperreninemia and hyperaldosteronemia. Enhanced CT and contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed mass in the lower pole of the right kidney，which was considered as reninoma and microwave ablation was performed. The renin concentration decreased to 68.42 pg/ml at 4 hours after surgery. After 1 year of postoperative follow-up，there was no recurrence of hypertension and hypokalemia，and no signs of tumor recurrence were seen on repeated ultrasound examinations.

Reninoma is a rare renal secretory tumor，prevalent in the young population. This disease is mostly surgically resected，and the use of microwave ablation to treat reninoma in children is scarce. A case of reninoma in a child was reported in this paper. The patient presented with refractory hypertension，hypokalemia，hyperreninemia and hyperaldosteronemia. Enhanced CT and contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed mass in the lower pole of the right kidney，which was considered as reninoma and microwave ablation was performed. The renin concentration decreased to 68.42 pg/ml at 4 hours after surgery. After 1 year of postoperative follow-up，there was no recurrence of hypertension and hypokalemia，and no signs of tumor recurrence were seen on repeated ultrasound examinations.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) for identifying coronary functional abnormalities.Methods:This diagnostic study enrolled patients with clinically suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between December 2021 and June 2022. All enrolled patients successfully underwent invasive wire-based FFR and IMR measurements during angiography. In a core laboratory, FFR and IMR for the target vessels were measured using artificial intelligence technology based on coronary angiographic images. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between angiography-derived FFR and wire-based FFR, and between angiography-derived IMR and wire-based IMR. Coronary hemodynamic abnormality was defined as FFR≤0.80; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived FFR for identifying this abnormality was evaluated. Microcirculatory dysfunction was defined as IMR≥25; the diagnostic performance of angiography-derived IMR for identifying microcirculatory dysfunction was evaluated.Results:A total of 181 patients, aged (60.6±8.8) years, with 62 (34.3%) females, and 181 target vessels were included in the final analysis. Angiography-derived FFR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based FFR ( r=0.78, P<0.001). For identifying coronary hemodynamic abnormality, angiography-derived FFR showed an accuracy of 89.0%, sensitivity of 88.8%, specificity of 89.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.1%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( AUC) of 0.88. Angiography-derived IMR showed a significant positive correlation with wire-based IMR ( r=0.93, P<0.001). For identifying microcirculatory dysfunction, angiography-derived IMR demonstrated an accuracy of 89.5%, sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 90.2%, PPV of 70.2%, NPV of 96.3%, and an AUC of 0.95. Conclusion:Angiography-derived FFR and IMR exhibit strong correlations with their invasive wire-based counterparts and demonstrate high diagnostic value for assessing coronary hemodynamics and coronary microcirculatory function.

Objective:To explore the expression and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (lncRNA CRNDE), microRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) and autophagy related 5 (ATG5) in the peripheral blood of patients with gouty arthritis (GA) patients.Methods:The clinical data, laboratory parameters and peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 patients with acute gout (AG), 40 patients with intermittent gout (IG) and 50 healthy subjects (HC). The expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantification (RT-qPCR) and the expression level of ATG5 protein was detected by Western-blot. The expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, ATG5 mRNA were compared among the three groups and correlated with clinical indices, and a subject operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed to assess the value of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, ATG5 mRNA in the diagnosis of gout. Measurements conforming to normal distribution were analyzed using t test or ANOVA, data with non-normal distribution was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test, correlation analysis between variables was analyzed using Spearman's analysis, and the diagnostic value of each indicator was analyzed using ROC curve. Results:① The differences in the expression of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, and ATG5 mRNA between the three groups were statistically significant ( H=32.12, 57.73, 68.32, all P<0.001). Among them, lncRNA CRNDE expression level in the AG group was significantly higher than that in the IG group and healthy control group [61.95(11.39, 108.30)×10 -3, 25.71(15.40, 38.40)×10 -3, 13.80(3.97, 23.99)×10 -3; Z=-3.24, P=0.001; Z=-5.03, P<0.001], and the expression level of IG group was higher than that of healthy control group( Z=-3.56, P<0.001); miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA expression levels in AG group were significantly lower than those in IG group and healthy control group [miR-181a-5p: 39.81(31.22, 69.38)×10 -3, 60.74(44.19, 90.35)×10 -3, 121.30(101.50, 316.90)×10 -3; Z=-3.01, P=0.030; Z=-6.93, P<0.001. ATG5 mRNA: 4.52(2.31, 26.63)×10 -3, 43.63(13.72, 102.70)×10 -3, 153.90(66.62, 365.80)×10 -3; Z=-5.47, -7.36, all P<0.001)], which were expressed at lower levels in the IG group than in the healthy controls ( Z=-5.25, -4.47, all P<0.001). The difference of ATG5 protein expression level among the three groups expressed was statistically significant ( F=6.24, P=0.030), and the AG group was higher than the healthy control group, and the difference was statistically significant [(0.96±0.13) vs.(0.61±0.04), t=4.25, P=0.013], but the difference between the IG group (0.78±0.15) and the AG group and the HC group was not statistically significant ( t=1.51, P=0.206; t=1.85, P=0138). ② Spearman correlation analysis showed that lncRNA CRNDE was negatively correlated with the expression levels of miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA in gout patients ( r=-0.49, P<0.001; r=-0.35, P=0.002); miR-181a-5p was positively correlated with ATG5 mRNA expression levels ( r=0.64, P<0.001); lncRNA CRNDE expression level was positively correlated with ESR and WBC ( r=0.49, P<0.001; r=0.43, P=0.001); miR-181a-5p expression level was negatively correlated with ESR and WBC ( r=-0.29, P=0.009; r=-0.35, P=0.002), and ATG5 mRNA expression levels were negatively correlated with ESR, WBC, and GR ( r=-0.26, P=0.021; r=-0.26, P=0.024; r=-0.27, P=0.021). In the AG group lncRNA CRNDE was positively correlated with ESR and WBC ( r=0.36, P=0.022; r=0.36, P=0.026) and miR-181a-5p was negatively correlated with WBC ( r=-0.34, P=0.038) ③ ROC curve showed that the areas under ROC curve of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA expression levels to predict gout were 0.764, 0.875 and 0.864, respectively. The area under ROC curve of gout predicted by the three combined was 0.928. Conclusion:lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, and ATG5 may be involved in the pathoge-nesis of primary gouty arthritis, and are potential biological parameters for studying the pathogenesis of gout.

Objective:To investigate the expression of N6-methyladenosine(m6A) modification-related genes and their possible roles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with primary gouty arthritis (GA).Methods:Forty-five patients each with acute gout (AG), intermittent gout (IG), and age-and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were collected from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Affiliated Hospital of Chuanbei Medical College between October and December of 2023. The expression levels of m6A modification-related genes (METTL3、METTL14、WTAP、FTO、ALKBH5、IGF2BP2、IGF2BP3、YTHDF1、YTHDC2) in PBMCs among the 3 groups were detected by RT-qPCR and correlation analysis with clinical indicators was performed. Measurements conforming to normal distribution were analyzed using ANOVA or t-tests, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Mann-Whitney U-test for data that is not-normaly distributed. The value of m6A modification-related genes for the diagnosis of GA was evaluated using subject characterization curve ROC. Results:①There were statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2 ( Z=-3.59, P<0.001)、WTAP ( Z=-5.25, P<0.001)、METTL14 ( Z=-3.62, P<0.001)、YTHDF1 ( Z=-2.12, P=0.034)and YTHDC2 ( Z=-2.00, P=0.045) in the disease group and the normal control group. Among them, the expression of IGF2BP2 in the GA group [28.08 (17.99, 47.06)×10 -4] was significantly higher than that in the HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4], and the expressions of WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 in the GA group [298.61 (213.61, 377.80)×10 -4, 9.94 (6.43, 13.46)×10 -4, 52.63 (28.22, 72.77)×10 -4, 40.24 (20.74, 73.32)×10 -4] were significantly lower than those in the HC group [398.45(339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4, 64.43(43.61, 87.10)×10 -4, 53.11(36.37, 79.28)×10 -4]. Further subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2、WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 among the 3 groups ( H=19.62、31.73、13.14、16.64、28.90, all P≤0.001). The expressions of WTAP and METTL14 in the AG group [311.13(234.96, 426.67)×10 -4, Z=-3.27, P=0.001; 9.64 (5.21, 15.21)×10 -4, Z=-2.71, P=0.008] and IG group [272.27 (203.29, 347.95)×10 -4, Z=-5.78, P<0.001; 10.40(6.88, 12.88)×10 -4, Z=-3.54, P=0.003] were lower than those in the HC group [398.45 (339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4]. However, there was no significant difference between AG and IG group ( P>0.05). Both YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 were significantly lower in the AG group [38.10(16.19, 56.78)×10 -4, 24.31 (14.35, 42.77)×10 -4] than those in the IG group [64.13 (48.28, 74.40)×10 -4(Z=-3.54, P<0.001, 65.49 (39.89, 91.23)×10 -4(Z=-4.96, P<0.001)] and HC group [64.43 (43.61, 86.92)×10 -4(Z=-3.51, P<0.001), 53.11 (36.37, 79.28)×10 -4(Z=-4.25, P<0.001)]. But there was no statistically significant difference between IG and HC groups ( P>0.05); IGF2BP2 was significantly lower in the AG group [25.32(16.40, 40.43)×10 -4, Z=-2.46, P=0.014] and HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4, Z=-4.54, P<0.001] than in the IG group [31.10(22.60, 49.58)×10 -4], but the comparison between AG and HC showed no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). ②Spearman correlation analysis showed that in GA patients, the expression of IGF2BP2、METTL14 and YTHDF1 was positively correlated with plasma glucose、blood uric acid(sUA) and total cholesterol level respectively ( r=0.22, P=0.037; r=0.38, P=0.003; r=0.23, P=0.034), and WTAP was negatively correlated with GLU ( r=-0.25, P=0.020). ③The ROC curve for the joint prediction of the five differential genes showed that the 95% CI for area under the curve in GA was 0.90 (0.84, 0.95). Conclusion:The m6A modification-related genes are abnormally expressed in GA and are correlated with clinical indicators such as GLU and UA, which are hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of GA and have a certain reference value for the evaluation of metabolism in GA patients.

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) and its signal pathway-related molecules in PBMCs of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods:Peripheral blood samples, clinical data and laboratory test results were collected from 100 patients with ankylosing spondylitis [50 patients with AS activity (ASA), 50 patients with AS stability (ASS)], 30 patients with osteoarthritis and 30 patients with gouty arthritis (as disease control group), and 60 healthy controls (HC). The mRNA expression levels of DcR3 and its signal pathway related genes (DR3, TL1A, Fas, FasL, LIGHT, LIGHTR, LTβR) were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Measurement data among the three groups in normal distribution were analyzed by t test or one-way analysis of variance, pairwise comparisons using LSD- t test, non-normal distribution data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test or Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ2 test was used for correlation analysis of categorical variables. Correlation analysis between variables were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results:① By comparing the AS group, disease control group and HC group, the expression levels of DcR3 mRNA and DR3 mRNA in the AS group were lower than those in disease control group and HC group, and DcR3 mRNA and DR3 mRNA in disease control group were lower than those in the HC group {DcR3mRNA: [6.21 (3.89, 10.70)]×10 -4vs [9.51 (5.89, 16.65)]×10 -4vs [17.81 (11.27, 24.20)]×10 -4, H=55.28, P<0.001; DR3 mRNA: [41.05 (24.09, 66.95)]×10 -4vs [58.28 (28.41, 94.38)]×10 -4vs [94.79 (54.07, 144.51)]×10 -4, H=37.10, P<0.001}. The expression level of TL1A mRNA in the AS group was higher than that in disease control group {[14.71(4.91, 42.22)]×10 -4vs [4.00(1.07, 16.60)]×10 -4vs [7.70 (3.52, 27.83)]×10 -4, H=17.71, P<0.001}; The expression level of Fas mRNA in AS group and disease control group was lower than that in HC group {[20.99(4.63, 62.89)]×10 -4vs [23.97(15.82, 38.99)]×10 -4vs [78.45 (27.32, 146.46)]×10 -4, H=31.17, P<0.001}. The expression level of FasL mRNA in AS group was higher than that in disease control group and HC group {[42.87(6.57, 91.21)]×10 -4vs [5.45(2.83, 10.32)]×10 -4vs [6.88 (4.57, 23.79)]×10 -4, H=46.42, P<0.001}. The expression level of LIGHTR mRNA in AS group was lower than that in disease control group {[52.66 (7.20, 143.21)]×10 -4vs [98.80 (53.11, 166.24)]×10 -4vs [63.47(40.85, 138.07)]×10 -4, H=11.96, P<0.001}. There were no significant differences in LIGHT mRNA and LTβR mRNA among all groups ( H=0.86, P>0.05; H=3.18, P>0.05). ②The expression levels of DcR3 mRNA, DR3 mRNA and Fas mRNA in ASA group and ASS group were lower than those in HC group. DcR3 mRNA in ASA group was higher than that in ASS group, and DR3 mRNA in ASA group was lower than that in ASS group {DcR3 mRNA: [7.28 (4.92, 16.56)]×10 -4vs [4.59 (2.49, 7.03)]×10 -4vs [17.81 (11.27, 24.20)]×10 -4, H=62.63, P<0.001; DR3 mRNA: [30.93(16.18, 66.66)]×10 -4vs [47.17(29.91, 67.40)]×10 -4vs [94.79(54.07, 144.51)]×10 -4, H=41.48, P<0.001; Fas mRNA: [20.04(3.29, 62.30)]×10 -4vs [22.49(5.63, 64.79)]×10 -4vs [78.45(27.32, 146.46)]×10 -4, H=23.54, P<0.001}. The expression levels of TL1A mRNA and LTβR mRNA in the ASA group were higher than those in the ASS group and the HC group {TL1A mRNA: [32.36(10.09, 97.84)]×10 -4vs [9.98(1.29, 21.63)]×10 -4vs [7.70(3.52,27.83)]×10 -4, H=21.14, P<0.001; LTβR mRNA: [6.13(2.16,20.06)×10 -4vs [2.13(0.53,8.04)]×10 -4vs [2.72 (1.24,5.73)]×10 -4, H=12.86, P<0.001}. The expression level of FasL mRNA in the ASA group and the ASS group was higher than that in the HC group {[60.70 (8.16, 106.16)]×10 -4vs [30.14 (5.37, 78.40)]×10 -4vs [6.88 (4.57, 23.79)]×10 -4, H=18.99, P<0.001}. The expression level of LIGHTR mRNA in ASS group was lower than that in HC group {[49.79(10.75, 168.48)]×10 -4vs [15.92(3.27, 105.91)]×10 -4vs [63.47(40.85, 138.07)]×10 -4, H=11.80, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in LIGHT mRNA among all groups ( H=4.15, P>0.05). ③Spearman correlation analysis showed that DcR3 level was positively correlated with BASDAI score and hsCRP in AS patients ( r=0.52, P<0.001; r=0.35, P<0.01), and DR3 level was negatively correlated with BASDAI score, ESR and hsCRP level ( r=-0.28, P<0.001; r=-0.25, P<0.001; r=-0.31, P<0.001). TL1A was positively correlated with BASDAI score, ESR and hsCRP level ( r=0.23, P=0.046; r=0.26, P=0.015; r=0.25, P=0.017). Conclusion:DcR3 and its signal pathway-related molecules are differentially expressed in PBMCs of patients with AS, suggesting that they may participate in the occurrence and development of AS.

Objective:To This study was to investigate the expression and possible clinical significance of microRNA-146b (miR-146b) and signal transducer and transcriptional activator 1 and 3 (STAT1/3) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with primary gouty arthritis (GA).Methods:The peripheral blood samples, clinical data and laboratory indexes of 120 male cases of GA [including 57 cases of acute (AG group) and 63 cases of intermittent (IG group)]and 66 healthy subjects (HC group) were collected. The expression levels of miR-146b and STAT1/3 in PBMCs were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The differences among the three groups were compared and the correlation between them and clinical indexes was analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed to evaluate its diagnostic value in GA. After the PBMCs of 18 healthy subjects were stimulated by 100 μg/ml MSU for 3 hours to simulate acute gout inflammatory environment, the transcriptional changes of IL-1β, miR-146b and STAT1/3 were detected by RT-qPCR, and the expressions of IL-1β, STAT1/3 protein and phosphorylated protein were detected by Western blotting. T test or one-way ANOVA and LSD- t test were used in accordance with the normal measurement data, Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the non-normal data, Spearman correlation analysis was used in the correlation between variables, and the diagnostic value was evaluated by the receiver working characteristic curve ROC. Results:①There were statistical differences in the expression of miR-146b, STAT1 and STAT3 among the three groups ( F=7.02、19.52、17.07, all P<0.001). The expression of miR-146b in gout group [(0.32±0.28)] was significantly higher than that in HC group (0.19±0.18)( t=2.96, P=0.003), while STAT1(0.019±0.012) and STAT3(0.014±0.010) were significantly lower than those in HC group (0.038±0.029),(0.025±0.016)( t=6.26, 5.56, both P<0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed that the expression of miR-146b in AG and IG groups was higher than that in HC group[(0.27±0.17), (0.38±0.35), (0.19±0.18), t=2.09, 3.30, both P<0.05], but that in AG group was lower than that in IG group ( t=2.02, P<0.05). The expression of STAT1 mRNA in AG and IG groups was lower than that in HC group [(0.020±0.012), (0.019±0.012), (0.038±0.029), t=4.89, 4.56, both P<0.001], but there was no statistical significance between AG and IG groups ( t=0.24, P>0.05). The expression of STAT3 mRNA in AG and IG groups was lower than that in HC group [(0.016±0.012), (0.012±0.008), (0.025±0.016), t=5.64, 3.33, both P<0.01], and the expression of STAT3 mRNA in AG group was higher than that in IG group ( t=2.12, P<0.05). ② Spearman correlation analysis showed that the expression of miR-146b in GA was negatively correlated with HCY ( r=-0.37, P=0.014), STAT1 was negatively correlated with Crea ( r=-0.29, P=0.019), positively correlated with eGFR ( r=0.25, P=0.047), and STAT3 was negatively correlated with HDL-C ( r=-0.27, P=0.033). ③ROC curve showed that the AUC (95% CI) of miR-146b, STAT1 and STAT3 were 0.679(0.582, 0.776), 0.710(0.629, 0.791) and 0.705(0.626, 0.783), and the combined AUC(95% CI) of the three was 0.836 (0.765, 0.907). ④Compared with blank control group and negative control group, the expression of miR-146b in PBMCs of 18 cases of HC was significantly decreased ( H=14.44, P=0.003), while the expression of IL-1β, STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA was significantly increased after 3 h of MSU stimulation ( H=26.44、27.26、15.90, all P<0.001). The expression of IL-1β, STAT1 and STAT3 protein and phosphorylated protein in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=9.97、6.63、7.48、11.25、6.28, all P<0.01). Conclusion:The abnormal expression of miR-146b and STAT1/3 in GA is related to some clinical indicators, suggesting that it may be involved in the regulation of gout immune inflammatory response and metabolism, and the specific mechanism is worth further study.

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of cell death of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with primary gouty arthritis, and provide new idea for the treatment of gout.Methods:Peripheral blood samples and clinical data were collected from 30 patients with acute gout (AG), 30 patients with intermittent gout (IG) and 40 healthy controls(HC). Real-time fluorescence quantitative detection of cell apoptosis related molecules, including the mRNA expression level of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain like domain like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), cysteine aspartic proteinase-1/4/5 (caspase-1/4/5), Gasdermin A/B/C/E. And NLRP3, precursor caspase-1 (pro-caspase-1), clipped caspase-1 (caspase-1 + p10), Gasdermin D(GSDMD), N segment GSDMD (GSDMD-N), precursor IL-1β (pro IL-1β), mature IL-1β (clevated IL-1β)were detected by western blot. The measurement data of normal or approximate normal distribution were analyzed by independent sample t test or one-way variance analysis (ANOVA), the measurement data of non-normal distribution were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test, and the counting data was compared by Chi-square test. Pearson's correlation analysis was used for the continuous variables with normal distribution, and Spearman's correlation analysis was used for the continuous variables with non-normal distribution. The logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors. Results:① There were no significant differences in MPR and BMI between AG and IG ( χ2=0.64, P=0.426; t=0.04, P=0.972), and there was significant difference in disease course [25.0 (9.8, 63.0), 54.0 (33.0, 102.0)mouth, Z=2.01, P=0.044]. Comparison of labora-tory parameters: there were statistical significant differences in ESR between AG and IG ( t=5.24, P<0.001), eGFR, GR, LY, RBC, HCT, UA, Creatinin, ALT and AST. ② In the three groups, the expression lev-els of caspase-1, GSDMC, GSDMD, GSDME, NLRP3 mRNA were statistically significantly different. In AG and IG groups, mRNA expression levels of caspase-1 (1.55±0.62), (1.58±0.62), GSDMD (4.7±1.4), (3.5±1.53), NLRP3 [2.63(2.03, 4.10), 2.39(1.57, 3.49)] were higher than those of the HC group [(1.24±0.59), 1.16±0.71, 1.16 (0.50, 2.34)] ( P=0.037, P=0.023, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001). In IG group, mRNA expression levels of GS-DMD (3.53±1.53) were lower than those of AG group (4.68±1.43) ( P<0.001).The mRNA expression levels of GS-DMC and GSDME [0.57(0.33, 0.78), (0.32±0.15)]were lower than those of the HC group [0.80 (0.47, 1.86), (1.06 ± 0.36) ( P=0.004, P<0.001), and the mRNA expression levels of GSDME (0.62±0.29) in the IG group were lower ( P=0.004, P<0.001), However, in the IG group, GSDMC and GSDME [0.87 (0.51, 1.53), (0.62±0.29)] were higher than those in the AG group [0.57 (0.33, 0.78), (0.32±0.15)] ( P=0.003, P<0.001). ③ The expression levels of NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 + p10, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, pro-IL-1β, clevated IL-1β protein were statistically different among the three groups [( F=50.04, P<0.001; F=9.65, P=0.013; F=30.71, P=0.001; F=7.38, P=0.024; F=23.66, P=0.001; F=30.11, P=0.001; F=6.01, P=0.036]. The expression of NLRP3 protein in the AG group (1.14±0.12) was significantly higher than that in the IG and HC group (0.35±0.18), (0.17±0.03) (all P=0.001), the expression levels of Pro caspase-1, caspase-1+p10 protein in the AG (1.11±0.15), (0.93±0.38) and IG (0.98±0.14), (1.14±0.17) group were higher than those in the HC (0.42±0.28), (0.29±0.16) ( P=0.006, P=0.015). The expression levels of GSDMD protein in the AG group (1.04±0.16) were higher than those in the IG and HC group(0.53±0.26), (0.39±0.22) ( P=0.029, P=0.011). The expression level of GSDMD-N protein in the AG and IG group (0.97±0.06), (0.90±0.04) was higher than that in the HC (0.27±0.23) ( P=0.001, P=0.001). The expression level of pro-IL-1β protein in the AG group (1.01±0.06) was significantly higher than that in the IG and HC group (0.32±0.14), (0.64±0.11) ( P<0.001, P=0.006), but lower than that in the HC (0.64±0.11) ( P=0.011). The expression of clevated IL-1β protein was higher in the AG group (1.08±0.20) than in the HC group (0.33±0.24) ( P=0.014). ④ Negative correlation between NLRP3, GSDMD and LY ( r=-0.32, P=0.001; r=-0.24, P=0.017) and positive correlation between GSDMD and WBC, GR ( r=0.43, P<0.001; r=0.23, P=0.019) were found and Logistic regression analysis showed that the GSDMD and NLRP3 were risk factors for AG [ OR ( 95%CI)=11.29 (3.92, 32.48), P<0.001; OR( 95%CI)=2.21(1.00, 4.85), P=0.049]. GSDMD was risk factor for IG [ OR( 95%CI)=6.84(2.52, 18.53), P<0.001]; While GSDMD was the protective factor for IG [ OR( 95%CI)=0.61(0.41, 0.30), P=0.013]. Conclusion:The expression's of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD are increased in PBMCs of AG patients, while the expression's of GSDMC and GSDME are decreased. NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD may be associated with the onset of acute gouty arthritis.