ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism by which Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula improves metabolism-neuroplasticity and treats unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction by regulating the metabolic balance of glutamate （Glu）/γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）. Methods48 Sprague-Dawley （SD） adult rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group， model group， Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula groups with low， medium， and high doses （9.20， 18.39， 36.78 g·kg^-1）， and betahistine group （1.62 mg·kg^-1）. A unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction （vestibular dysfunction） model was established by intratympanic injection of chloroform into the right ear， while the control group received intratympanic injection of normal saline. Drugs were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. During the period， behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the behaviors of rats after unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal morphology in the medial vestibular nucleus. Golgi staining was employed to assess the number of dendritic spines of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-ESI-MS/MS） was utilized to detect Glu/GABA. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of neuronal nuclei （NeuN）， growth-associated protein 43 （GAP-43）， and glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were applied to determine the expressions of glutamate-immunoreactive （Glu-IR）， GABA， GFAP， postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， and GAP-43. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group presented with head deviation， balance disorder， increased tail suspension score， nuclear consolidation of medial vestibular nerve neurons， and decreased Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines in neurons and NeuN-positive cells decreased. The content of Glu decreased. The content of GABA increased （Glu/GABA decreased）. The expression of GAP-43 was down-regulated， and GFAP was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PSD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA decreased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the head deviation， imbalanced behavior， and tail suspension scores in each treatment group decreased， with alleviated neuronal injury and recovered Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines of neurons increased， and the number of NeuN-positive cells rebounded. The content of Glu increased， and the content of GABA decreased （Glu/GABA increased）. GFAP was down-regulated， and GAP-43 was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PMD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA increased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA decreased. The effect was more significant in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula can alleviate vestibular dysfunction， and its mechanism may be associated with regulating the metabolic balance of Glu/GABA， mitigating neural damage， improving synaptic plasticity （promoting GAP-43 expression and inhibiting GFAP expression）， and facilitating vestibular compensation.

Objective To observe the expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 1(NOD1)and its mediated RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins in cerebral cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI);To explore the possible mechanism of eye acupuncture alleviating CIRI.Methods SPF-grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group(12 rats),sham-operation group(12 rats)and modeling group(36 rats).A CIRI model was established by improved suture method.The rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group,eyeacupuncture group,outside the acupoint area group,with 12 rats in each group.Neurological deficits in rats were evaluated by Longa score,TTC staining was used to observe the cerebral infarction,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of ischemic brain tissue,electron microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagosome in ischemic brain tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of NOD1,receptor interacting protein 2(RIP2),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of NOD1,RIP2,NF-κB p65 and autophagy related proteins in ischemic cerebral cortex.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the neurological deficit score of rats in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the infarct volume significantly increased(P<0.01),the typical cribriform infarct foci and multiple autophagosomes appeared in the ischemic brain tissue,the mRNA expressions of NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of NOD1,RIP2,p-NF-κB p65,Beclin1,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and ATG5 significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p62 significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the neurological deficit score in eye acupuncture group significantly decreased(P<0.01),the cerebral infarction volume significantly decreased(P<0.01),the area of cribriform reticular infarct and the number of autophagosomes in ischemic brain tissue significantly decreased,the mRNA expressions of NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex significantly decreased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of NOD1,RIP2,p-NF-κB p65,Beclin1,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and ATG5 significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p62 significantly increased(P<0.01).There was no statistical significance compared with outside the acupoint area group.Conclusion Eye acupuncture can attenuat the injury of neurons in CIRI rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway mediated by NOD1,thereby reducing autophagy of neurons.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Huayu Mingmu prescription on retinal angiogenesis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR）-hypoxia inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor A （HIF-1α/VEGFA） signaling pathway in diabetic retinopathy （DR） rats. MethodsSixty-four SPF-grade male SD rats were used in the study. Eleven rats were randomly selected as the normal group， while the remaining 53 rats were fed a high-sugar， high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） rat model. DR model evaluation was performed after 12 weeks of diabetes. The rats were then divided into model， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Huayu Mingmu prescription （9.29， 18.57， 37.14 g·kg^-1）， and a calcium dobesilate group （0.16 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The rats were orally administered the corresponding doses of Huayu Mingmu prescription and calcium dobesilate. The normal and model groups received equal volumes of physiological saline via gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. Retinal vascular changes were observed through fundus photography， and pathological changes in retinal tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Retinal microvascular pathological changes were examined through retinal vascular network preparation and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the expression of VEGFA and angiopoietin-2 （Ang-2） in retinal tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to assess the mRNA expression of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significant pathological changes in retinal tissue， including the appearance of acellular capillaries， as well as significant endothelial cell （E） proliferation and pericyte （P） loss （P<0.01）. The E/P was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. In contrast， retinal tissue in the treatment groups showed alleviated pathological changes， with reduced endothelial cell proliferation and pericyte loss （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Among the treatment groups， the high-dose Huayu Mingmu prescription and the calcium dobesilate group exhibited a decreased E/P （P<0.01）. Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuayu Mingmu prescription can intervene in retinal neovascularization in DR rats， delay the progression of DR， and its mechanism may be related to antagonizing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Bukan Yilidan on perimenopausal psycho-cardiac disease by mitochondrial autophagy mediated by dynamin-related protein 1（Drp1）/phosphatase and tensin homolog（PTEN） induced putative kinase 1（PINK1）/Parkin pathway. MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， western medicine group（isosorbide mononitrate 7.2 mg·kg^-1+sertraline hydrochloride tablets 18 mg·kg^-1）， Bukan Yilidan low， medium and high dose groups（2.59， 5.18， 10.35 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the rat model of perimenopausal psycho-cardiac disease was prepared by ovariectomy（OVX） combined with high-fat feeding， chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS） and subcutaneous multi-point injection of isoproterenol hydrochloride. After successful modeling， the general state and tongue image of rats were observed. The depression status of rats in vivo was evaluated by open field test， sucrose preference test， forced swimming immobility time and grip strength value， and the cardiac function of rats was evaluated by electrocardiogram and echocardiography. The levels of serum norepinephrine（NE）， dopamine（DA） and 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， and biochemical detection was used to assess myocardial injury by measuring serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C）， triglyceride（TG）， total cholesterol（TC）， aspartate aminotransferase（AST）， alanine aminotransferase（ALT）， lactate dehydrogenase（LDH） and creatine kinase isoenzyme（CK-MB）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） and Nissl staining were used to observe the pathological status of hippocampus and myocardial tissue in rats， the status of mitophagosomes in hippocampus and myocardium was observed by transmission electron microscope（TEM）， and Western blot was used to detect the contents of Drp1， mitochondrial fusion protein 2（Mfn2）， optic atrophy protein 1（OPA1）， PINK1， Parkin， p62 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B（LC3B） in hippocampus and myocardium. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the food intake and water intake of rats in the model group decreased， the hair was dark yellow， the gloss and smoothness decreased， the spirit was depressed， the tongue was light purple or dark purple， accompanied by petechiae or ecchymosis， the sublingual collaterals were purple and black， and the tongue coating was white and smooth. The indexes of open field test， grip strength and sucrose preference of rats decreased significantly， and the immobility time of forced swimming increased significantly（P<0.01）. Electrocardiogram and echocardiography showed that ST segment was significantly depressed， and left ventricular fractional shortening（LVFS） and left ventricular ejection fraction（LVEF） were significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological observation showed that the number of hippocampal neurons and myocardial cells decreased， and the structural damage was obvious. The levels of serum TC， TG， LDL-C， CK-MB， LDH， AST and ALT increased， while the levels of HDL-C， 5-HT， DA and NE decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. TEM showed obvious mitochondrial damage in hippocampus and myocardial tissue. The protein expressions of Drp1， PINK1， Parkin and p62 in hippocampus and myocardium were increased， while the protein expressions of OPA1， Mfn2 and LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ were decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the mental state， body curling up， fear of cold and other symptoms of rats in each administration group were improved， and the degree of pale purple or dark purple tongue was reduced. The scores of open field test， grip strength， sucrose preference， LVFS and LVEF were increased， and the immobility time of forced swimming was shortened（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The ST segment of electrocardiogram had a significant recovery（P<0.01）， pathological observation showed that the damage of nerve cells and myocardial tissue was improved. The levels of serum TC， TG， LDL-C， CK-MB， LDH， AST and ALT decreased， while the levels of HDL-C， 5-HT， DA and NE increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. TEM showed that mitochondrial damage was reduced in hippocampal neurons and cardiomyocytes with visible mitochondrial autophagosomes. The protein expressions of Drp1， PINK1， Parkin and p62 in hippocampus and myocardium were decreased， while the protein expressions of OPA1， Mfn2 and LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBukan Yilidan can alleviate depression， lipid metabolism disorder and myocardial ischemia injury in rats with perimenopausal psycho-cardiac disease， and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting Drp1/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and enhancing mitochondrial autophagy.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacological effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on brain development in offspring of rats with subclinical hypothyroidism （SCH） during pregnancy and explore its potential mechanism. MethodsForty-eight SPF female SD rats were divided into sham operation group （n=8） and model group （n=40）. The rat model of subclinical hypothyroidism （SCH） was constructed by total thyroidectomy combined with postoperative subcutaneous injection of levothyroxine （L-T₄）. The modeled rats were randomly allocated into model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （5.58， 11.16， 22.32 g∙kg^-1， respectively） Buzhong Yiqitang， and euthyrox （4.5×10^-6 g∙kg^-1） groups， with 8 rats in each group. These rats were co-housed with normal male rats for mating. Drug administration started 2 weeks before pregnancy and continued until delivery. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Golgi-cox staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats. Western blot was employed to detect the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on the protein levels of cytochrome C oxidase subunitⅠ （COX）Ⅰ and COXⅣ in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats. A colorimetric method was used to measure the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate （ATP） content in the hippocampal tissue of offspring rats. For in vitro experiments， a hydrogen peroxide （H₂O₂）-induced oxidative damage model was established with rat pheochromocytoma cells （PC12）. Interventions included the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor （SGI-1027）， Buzhong Yiqitang-medicated serum， and euthyrox-medicated serum. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to examine the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the effect on tubulin beta 3 class Ⅲ （TUBB3） in PC12 cells. Western blot was employed to assess the effects on the protein levels of DNA methyltransferases （TETs and DNMTs） in PC12 cells. The fluorescent probe 2′，7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate （DCFH-DA）， luciferase assay， and JC-1 staining were employed to assess the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and ATP and the mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 cells. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group showed a reduction in the number of hippocampal neurons， incomplete pyramidal cell bodies， loose arrangement， shortened average dendrite length， decreased dendritic complexity and dendritic spine density， and reduced expression levels of COXⅠ and COXⅣ and content of ATP in the brain tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after administration of Buzhong Yiqitang and euthyrox， hippocampal neurons exhibited regular arrangement， complete morphology， extended dendrite， increased dendritic complexity and dendritic spine density， and restored expression levels of COXⅠ and COXⅣ and content of ATP （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the medium-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group showing the best therapeutic effect. In the PC12 cell model of oxidative damage， Buzhong Yiqitang increased the cell viability （P<0.01）， enhanced neuronal differentiation， down-regulated the expression levels of DNMTs （P<0.05）， up-regulated the expression levels of TETs （P<0.05）， decreased the ROS content （P<0.01）， and restored the ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential （P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang protects brain development in offspring of pregnant rats with SCH. It mainly acts on the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction resulted from abnormal mtDNA methylation， with DNMTs and TETs as the key proteins for its effects.

Objective:To investigate the immunological mechanism by which grifola frondosa extract improves colonic tissue inflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)through the sphingosine kinase 1(SPHK1)/sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P)signaling pathway.Methods:Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:blank group,model group,sulfasalazine treatment group(SASP group),grifola frondosa extract treatment group(GF group),and sulfasalazine combined with grifola frondosa extract treatment group(SASP+GF group).UC model was established using a 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)free drinking method.After one week,each treatment group received sulfasalazine 0.3 g/(kg·d),grifola frondosa extract 10 mg/(kg·d),and combination of both drugs by gavage.During the experiment,the general condition of the rats was observed,the disease activity index(DAI)score was re-corded and the protein content and positive expression levels of SPHK1,S1P,tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2(TRAF2)and TNF-α in rat colon tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.mRNA and protein expression levels of SPHK1,S1P,TRAF2 and TNF-α in rat colon tissue were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results:Compared with the blank group,the general condition of the model group rats were poor,the DAI score was significantly increased,and the protein positive expres-sion,mRNA and protein expression levels of SPHK1,S1P,TRAF2 and TNF-α in colon tissue were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the general condition of the rats in each treatment group improved significantly,the DAI score was decreased(P<0.01),and the positive expression of each target protein was significantly reduced(P<0.01),especially in the GF group and SASP+GF group;the mRNA and protein expression levels of SPHK1 and TRAF2 were reduced to varying degrees(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of S1P and TNF-α only decreased significantly in the GF group and SASP+GF group(P<0.01).Compared with the SASP group,the GF group only showed a decrease in SPHK1 protein expression,TNF-α mRNA,and protein expression levels,while the SASP+GF group showed significant reductions in all targets(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the GF group,the SASP+GF group showed significant reductions in SPHK1 protein positive expression and content,S1P mRNA expression levels,and TNF-α protein content(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Grifola frondosa extract may alleviate co-lonic tissue inflammation in rats with UC by inhibiting the activation of the SPHK1/S1P pathway,restoring intestinal mucosal barrier function,and improving symptoms of UC.

Objective:To investigate the immunological mechanism by which grifola frondosa extract improves colonic tissue inflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)through the sphingosine kinase 1(SPHK1)/sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P)signaling pathway.Methods:Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:blank group,model group,sulfasalazine treatment group(SASP group),grifola frondosa extract treatment group(GF group),and sulfasalazine combined with grifola frondosa extract treatment group(SASP+GF group).UC model was established using a 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)free drinking method.After one week,each treatment group received sulfasalazine 0.3 g/(kg·d),grifola frondosa extract 10 mg/(kg·d),and combination of both drugs by gavage.During the experiment,the general condition of the rats was observed,the disease activity index(DAI)score was re-corded and the protein content and positive expression levels of SPHK1,S1P,tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2(TRAF2)and TNF-α in rat colon tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.mRNA and protein expression levels of SPHK1,S1P,TRAF2 and TNF-α in rat colon tissue were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results:Compared with the blank group,the general condition of the model group rats were poor,the DAI score was significantly increased,and the protein positive expres-sion,mRNA and protein expression levels of SPHK1,S1P,TRAF2 and TNF-α in colon tissue were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the general condition of the rats in each treatment group improved significantly,the DAI score was decreased(P<0.01),and the positive expression of each target protein was significantly reduced(P<0.01),especially in the GF group and SASP+GF group;the mRNA and protein expression levels of SPHK1 and TRAF2 were reduced to varying degrees(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of S1P and TNF-α only decreased significantly in the GF group and SASP+GF group(P<0.01).Compared with the SASP group,the GF group only showed a decrease in SPHK1 protein expression,TNF-α mRNA,and protein expression levels,while the SASP+GF group showed significant reductions in all targets(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the GF group,the SASP+GF group showed significant reductions in SPHK1 protein positive expression and content,S1P mRNA expression levels,and TNF-α protein content(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Grifola frondosa extract may alleviate co-lonic tissue inflammation in rats with UC by inhibiting the activation of the SPHK1/S1P pathway,restoring intestinal mucosal barrier function,and improving symptoms of UC.

Objective To observe the expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 1(NOD1)and its mediated RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins in cerebral cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI);To explore the possible mechanism of eye acupuncture alleviating CIRI.Methods SPF-grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group(12 rats),sham-operation group(12 rats)and modeling group(36 rats).A CIRI model was established by improved suture method.The rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group,eyeacupuncture group,outside the acupoint area group,with 12 rats in each group.Neurological deficits in rats were evaluated by Longa score,TTC staining was used to observe the cerebral infarction,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of ischemic brain tissue,electron microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagosome in ischemic brain tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of NOD1,receptor interacting protein 2(RIP2),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of NOD1,RIP2,NF-κB p65 and autophagy related proteins in ischemic cerebral cortex.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the neurological deficit score of rats in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the infarct volume significantly increased(P<0.01),the typical cribriform infarct foci and multiple autophagosomes appeared in the ischemic brain tissue,the mRNA expressions of NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of NOD1,RIP2,p-NF-κB p65,Beclin1,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and ATG5 significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p62 significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the neurological deficit score in eye acupuncture group significantly decreased(P<0.01),the cerebral infarction volume significantly decreased(P<0.01),the area of cribriform reticular infarct and the number of autophagosomes in ischemic brain tissue significantly decreased,the mRNA expressions of NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in ischemic cerebral cortex significantly decreased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of NOD1,RIP2,p-NF-κB p65,Beclin1,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and ATG5 significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of p62 significantly increased(P<0.01).There was no statistical significance compared with outside the acupoint area group.Conclusion Eye acupuncture can attenuat the injury of neurons in CIRI rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway mediated by NOD1,thereby reducing autophagy of neurons.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Grifola frondosa extract on inflammatory response of colon tissue in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)by regulating interleukin-6(IL-6)/Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group,UC model group,Grifola frondosa treatment group,western medicine treatment group and combined treatment group,with 8 rats in each group.After UC rats were established by free drinking 3%DSS for 7 days,the treatment group were given Grifola frondosa extract 10 mg/(kg·d),sulfasalazine 0.3 g/(kg·d),and the same amount of two drugs,for 14 consecutive days.During the experiment,general state of rats were observed,and the disease activity index(DAI)score was calculated;pathological changes of rats colon tissue were observed by HE staining;protein expression levels of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and p-STAT3 in rats colon tissue were detected by Western blot;content of IL-6 in rats serum was detected by ELISA;protein contents and expressions of IL-6R and MPO in rats colon tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with blank control group,general state of rats in UC model group was poor,DAI score was increased,obvious tissue mucosal defects and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by HE staining;protein expression levels of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and p-STAT3 in rats colon tissue and contents of IL-6R and MPO were significantly increased(P<0.01);content of IL-6 in rats serum was significantly increased(P<0.01),the difference was statistically significant.Compared with UC model group,general condition of rats in each treatment group was improved,DAI score was decreased,HE staining showed that mucosal defects were improved to varying degrees,and occasionally inflammatory cell infiltration was observed;protein expression levels of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and p-STAT3 in colon tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01),contents of IL-6R and MPO in colon tissue and content of IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased(P<0.01 or P<0.05),the differences were statistically significant.Conclusion:Grifola frondosa extract can reduce the inflammatory response in colon tissue of UC rats by regulating expressions of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway related factors.

ObjectiveTo determine the mechanism of Yitangkang in correcting excessive apoptosis of skeletal muscle cells to improve insulin resistance （IR） by inhibiting the advanced glycation end product （AGE）/receptor for the advanced glycation end product （RAGE） signaling pathway. Method① In vitro experiments. Yitangkang-medicated serum was prepared. C2C12 cells were divided into a blank group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose Yitangkang-medicated serum groups （40， 20， and 10 g·kg^-1）， and a RAGE inhibitor group. The IR model was induced by palmitic acid in C2C12 cells except for those in the blank group. After the corresponding intervention methods were conducted，the cell viability and glucose consumption level of each group were determined. In addition，the apoptosis rate was determined using flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the important apoptotic proteins ［B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， p53， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-9 （Caspase-9）］ were determined using Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ② In vivo experiments. Ninety-six eligible Wistar rats were divided into a blank group， a model group， high-，medium-，and low-dose Yitangkang groups （40， 20， and 10 g·kg^-1）， and a western medicine group （pioglitazone hydrochloride，1.35 mg·kg^-1）. The IR model was induced using high-glucose and high-fat feed for diabetes combined with intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin （STZ） in animals and verified by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp （HEC） test. After the model was determined successfully， the rats in each group were given intragastric administration of drugs as required. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay was performed to determine the number of positive apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle tissues of rats in each group，while Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of the important apoptotic proteins Bcl-2， Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9. Result① In vitro experiments. compared with the blank group， the model groups showed increased apoptosis rate of C2C12 cells and decreased cell viability and glucose consumption （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yitangkang-medicated serum groups and the RAGE inhibitor group showed decreased apoptosis rate of C2C12 cells and increased cell viability and glucose consumption （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in C2C12 cells and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yitangkang-medicated serum groups and the RAGE inhibitor group showed increased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in C2C12 cells （P<0.01） and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ② In vivo experiments. The number of positive apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle tissues of rats in the model group significantly increased as compared with that in the blank group （P<0.01）. The number of positive apoptotic cells in the skeletal muscle tissues of rats in the Yitangkang groups and the western medicine group decreased as compared with that in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle tissues of rats and increased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yitangkang groups and the western medicine group showed increased expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle tissues of rats （P<0.01） and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax， p53， Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium-dose Yitangkang showed a similar effect as RAGE inhibitor， and the effect was equivalent to that of pioglitazone hydrochloride. ConclusionYitangkang can inhibit skeletal muscle cell apoptosis by inhibiting the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway.