1.Analysis of Microbiological and Parasitic Testing Results for Laboratory Animals in Jiangxi Province, 2020-2024
Fangping XIAO ; Lijuan XIONG ; Bo JIA ; Huan LIU ; Yongbing LUO ; Xiaorong WAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):119-126
Objective To assess the current status of microbial and parasitic quality control for laboratory animals in Jiangxi Province by analyzing microbiological and parasitic test results from production facilities between 2020 and 2024, and to provide a basis for enhancing quality control measures. MethodsIn accordance with the current national standards for laboratory animals at the time of testing, the Jiangxi Provincial Laboratory Animal Quality Inspection Station (affiliated to Institute of Occupational Medicine of Jiangxi) conducted microbial and parasitic testing on 451 laboratory animals of 4 species from 6 laboratory animal production units in Jiangxi Province between 2020 and 2024, and analyzed the quality status of laboratory animals in the province. ResultsPasteurella pneumotropica was detected in one mouse sample in 2020, with a detection rate of 5.00%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in one mouse sample and mouse hepatitis virus antibody was detected in another mouse sample in 2023, with a detection rate of 2.78%, respectively. No microorganisms or parasites that should be excluded from SPF grade mice as specified in the national standards were detected in 2021, 2022, or 2024, with a qualification rate of 100.00%. Pasteurella pneumotropica was detected in four rat samples in 2020, with a detection rate of 20.00%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in two rat samples in 2021, with a detection rate of 10.00%, and Tyzzer's disease agent antibody was detected in four rat samples in 2024, with a detection rate of 10.00%. No microorganisms or parasites that should be excluded from SPF grade rats as specified in the national standards were detected in 2022 or 2023, with a qualification rate of 100.00%. For rabbits and guinea pigs, no microorganisms or parasites required to be tested for conventional grade rabbits and guinea pigs as specified in the national standards were detected from 2020 to 2024, with the qualification rate of both species reaching 100.00%. ConclusionBased on the microbial and parasitic testing results, the quality of rabbits and guinea pigs in Jiangxi Province is satisfactory. However, some issues persist with rats and mice. It is recommended to enhance the quality of experimental animals in Jiangxi Province by increasing the frequency of random inspections by quality testing units or by improving the self-inspection capabilities of production and user facilities.
2.Intervention of Exercise Combined with Shenghui Tang in M1AChR Regulation of Mitochondrial Autophagy Improves Learning and Memory Ability of Alzheimer's Disease Model Rats
Xiaoxue TAO ; Min XIAO ; Kunyang TANG ; Bo WANG ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Rongxiang LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):120-130
ObjectiveTo make clear exercise combined with Shenghui Tang interferes in acetylcholine receptor (M1AChR) to improve mitochondrial autophagy and enhance cognition of Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats through the adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Shenghui Tang group (9.3 g·kg-1), an exercise group, an exercise + Shenghui Tang group (9.3 g·kg-1), and a rapamycin group (1.5 mg·kg-1). Except for the blank group, the rat model of AD was constructed by injecting amyloid beta (Aβ1-42) into hippocampus stereotaxically. The exercise group received treadmill exercise for 4 weeks, while the Shenghui Tang group received intragastric administration for 4 weeks, and the exercise + Shenghui Tang group received treadmill exercise and intragastric administration of Shenghui Tang for 4 weeks simultaneously. After the intervention, the Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory ability. Spontaneous behavior was observed in the open field test. The pathological structure of hippocampal neurons was observed by NISSl staining. The expression level of M1AChR in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The autophagy ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The apoptosis rate was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3β (LC3β) was detected by immunofluorescence (IF). The protein expression of M1AChR, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, Beclin1, LC3β, and chelate 1 (SQSTM1/p62) in hippocampus was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significantly increased platform escape latency on the fifth day (P<0.01) and significantly decreased activity distance in the target quadrant and times of crossing the platform (P<0.01). The total movement distance in the open field, the time of movement in the central area, and the average speed obviously decreased (P<0.05). The arrangement of nerve cells in hippocampus CA1 region was dispersed, and the numbers of Nissl bodies and M1AChR positive cells significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of TUNEL positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.01). The typical autophagic lysosomal structure decreased. The protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, Beclin1, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in hippocampus was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the protein expression of p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the exercise + Shenghui Tang group exhibited obviously improved space exploration and positioning navigation ability (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total movement distance in the open field, the time of movement in the central area, and the average speed of movement significantly increased (P<0.01). The number of Nissl bodies significantly increased (P<0.01). The number of M1AChR positive cells in hippocampus was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of TUNEL positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, Beclin1, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in hippocampus was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of p62 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the exercise + Shenghui Tang group, the Shenghui Tang group and the exercise group showed significantly increased platform escape latency on the fifth day (P<0.01) and obviously decreased activity distance in the target quadrant and times of crossing the platform (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total movement distance in the open field, the time of movement in the central area, and the average speed of movement significantly decreased (P<0.01). The number of Nissl bodies and the number of M1AChR positive cells significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of TUNEL positive cells was obviously increased (P<0.05). Ultrastructure of the hippocampal region showed decreased autophagy level. The protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus was obviously decreased in the Shenghui Tang group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the protein expression of p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). In the exercise group, the protein expression of M1AChR, p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the protein expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise combined with traditional Chinese medicine can enhance the expression of M1AChR in the hippocampus of AD model rats, induce autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats.
3.Regulation of TGF-β1/JNK signaling pathway in patients with different types of mitral valve diseases complicated by atrial fibrillation
Chao CHANG ; Bo FU ; Xiaolong ZHU ; Chongjie ZHANG ; Xia ZHAO ; Hong TANG ; Xijun XIAO ; Yunpeng BAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):291-299
Objective To investigate the regulatory mechanism of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in different types of mitral valvular disease (MVD) with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods From August 2011 to August 2012, patients with moderate to severe MVD accompanied by AF who required mitral valve replacement at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, were included. Based on echocardiographic results, patients were divided into two groups: a mitral regurgitation (MR) with AF (MR-AF) group and a mitral stenosis (MS) with AF (MS-AF) group. Left atrial tissue samples were collected during surgery. Techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were used to detect key molecules in the TGF-β1/JNK pathway. Results Sixteen patients were enrolled. There were 8 patients in the MR-AF group, including 5 males and 3 females, with an average age of (41.38±11.19) years; and 8 patients in the MS-AF group, including 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of (43.12±5.30) years. The left atrial volume load was higher in MR-AF patients, while the left atrial pressure load was higher in MS-AF patients. In MS-AF patients, the relative expression levels of MAPK9, JUN, CASP3, BAX, and BCL2 mRNA in left atrial tissues were significantly upregulated. The serum TGF-β1 protein level and the relative expression levels of p-JNK, p-c-Jun, and Caspase-3 proteins in the left atrial tissues of the MR-AF group were higher. Myocardial cell damage was more severe in the MS-AF group, and the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was higher. Conclusion Different MVD have distinct hemodynamic characteristics. The myocardium of the left atrium in MR-AF patients is more prone to apoptosis, possibly through the activation of the TGF-β1/JNK signaling pathway.
4.Spatiotemporal Electrical Impedance Tomography for Speech Respiratory Assessment in Cleft Palate: an Interpretable Machine Learning Study
Yang WU ; Xiao-Jing ZHANG ; Hao YU ; Cheng-Hui JIANG ; Bo SUN ; Jia-Feng YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):485-500
ObjectiveCleft palate (CP) is a common congenital deformity often associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), which disrupts the physiological coupling between respiration and speech. Conventional clinical assessments, such as nasometry and spirometry, provide limited static data and fail to visualize the dynamic spatiotemporal distribution of lung ventilation during phonation. This study introduces spatiotemporal electrical impedance tomography (ST-EIT) to evaluate speech-respiratory functional features in CP patients compared to normal controls (NC). The aim is to characterize multi-domain respiratory patterns and to validate an interpretable machine learning framework for providing objective, quantitative evidence for clinical assessment. MethodsSeventy-five participants were enrolled in this study, comprising 37 patients with surgically repaired CP and 38 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). All subjects performed standardized sustained phonation tasks while undergoing synchronous monitoring with a 16-electrode EIT system and a pneumotachograph. A comprehensive feature engineering pipeline was developed to extract physiological parameters across 3 complementary domains. (1) Temporal domain: including inspiratory/expiratory phase duration (tPhase), time constants (Tau), and inspiratory-to-expiratory time ratios (TI/TE); (2) airflow domain: comprising mean flow, peak flow, and instantaneous flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of tidal volume; and (3) spatial domain: quantifying global and regional tidal impedance variation (TIV), global inhomogeneity (GI), and center of ventilation (CoV). Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifiers were trained using 5 distinct data sources (Spirometry, Nasometry, Inspiratory-EIT, Expiratory-EIT, and fused ST-EIT). Model performance was rigorously evaluated via stratified 5-fold cross-validation, and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were employed to quantify global and local feature contributions. ResultsThe CP group exhibited a distinct respiratory phenotype compared to controls. In the temporal domain, CP patients showed significantly shorter inspiratory (1.60 s vs.1.85 s, P<0.001) and expiratory phase durations (2.45 s vs. 3.95 s, P<0.001), indicating a rapid, shallow breathing rhythm. In the airflow domain, while inspiratory flows were comparable, the CP group demonstrated significantly elevated mean and peak flows during the expiratory phase (P<0.001), reflecting compensatory respiratory effort. Spatially, CP patients presented significant ventilation redistribution, characterized by higher regional TIV in the right-anterior (ROI1) and left-posterior (ROI4) quadrants, but lower TIV in the left-anterior (ROI2) quadrant. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, the multi-modal ST-EIT model achieved the highest performance (AUC: 0.915±0.012, Accuracy: 0.843±0.019, F1-score: 0.872±0.017), substantially outperforming models based on spirometry (AUC: 0.721) or nasometry (AUC: 0.625) alone. Interpretability analysis revealed that spatial domain features were the most critical, contributing 53.4% to the model’s decision-making, followed by temporal (25.0%) and airflow (21.6%) features. ConclusionST-EIT successfully captures the temporal, airflow, and spatial deviations in CP speech respiration that are undetectable by conventional methods—specifically, rapid phase transitions, hyperdynamic expiratory airflow, and regional ventilation heterogeneity. This study validates ST-EIT as a robust, non-invasive, and radiation-free tool for characterizing speech-respiratory dysfunction, offering high clinical value for bedside screening, rehabilitation planning, and longitudinal monitoring of patients with cleft palate.
5.Spatiotemporal Electrical Impedance Tomography for Speech Respiratory Assessment in Cleft Palate: an Interpretable Machine Learning Study
Yang WU ; Xiao-Jing ZHANG ; Hao YU ; Cheng-Hui JIANG ; Bo SUN ; Jia-Feng YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):485-500
ObjectiveCleft palate (CP) is a common congenital deformity often associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), which disrupts the physiological coupling between respiration and speech. Conventional clinical assessments, such as nasometry and spirometry, provide limited static data and fail to visualize the dynamic spatiotemporal distribution of lung ventilation during phonation. This study introduces spatiotemporal electrical impedance tomography (ST-EIT) to evaluate speech-respiratory functional features in CP patients compared to normal controls (NC). The aim is to characterize multi-domain respiratory patterns and to validate an interpretable machine learning framework for providing objective, quantitative evidence for clinical assessment. MethodsSeventy-five participants were enrolled in this study, comprising 37 patients with surgically repaired CP and 38 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). All subjects performed standardized sustained phonation tasks while undergoing synchronous monitoring with a 16-electrode EIT system and a pneumotachograph. A comprehensive feature engineering pipeline was developed to extract physiological parameters across 3 complementary domains. (1) Temporal domain: including inspiratory/expiratory phase duration (tPhase), time constants (Tau), and inspiratory-to-expiratory time ratios (TI/TE); (2) airflow domain: comprising mean flow, peak flow, and instantaneous flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of tidal volume; and (3) spatial domain: quantifying global and regional tidal impedance variation (TIV), global inhomogeneity (GI), and center of ventilation (CoV). Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifiers were trained using 5 distinct data sources (Spirometry, Nasometry, Inspiratory-EIT, Expiratory-EIT, and fused ST-EIT). Model performance was rigorously evaluated via stratified 5-fold cross-validation, and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were employed to quantify global and local feature contributions. ResultsThe CP group exhibited a distinct respiratory phenotype compared to controls. In the temporal domain, CP patients showed significantly shorter inspiratory (1.60 s vs.1.85 s, P<0.001) and expiratory phase durations (2.45 s vs. 3.95 s, P<0.001), indicating a rapid, shallow breathing rhythm. In the airflow domain, while inspiratory flows were comparable, the CP group demonstrated significantly elevated mean and peak flows during the expiratory phase (P<0.001), reflecting compensatory respiratory effort. Spatially, CP patients presented significant ventilation redistribution, characterized by higher regional TIV in the right-anterior (ROI1) and left-posterior (ROI4) quadrants, but lower TIV in the left-anterior (ROI2) quadrant. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, the multi-modal ST-EIT model achieved the highest performance (AUC: 0.915±0.012, Accuracy: 0.843±0.019, F1-score: 0.872±0.017), substantially outperforming models based on spirometry (AUC: 0.721) or nasometry (AUC: 0.625) alone. Interpretability analysis revealed that spatial domain features were the most critical, contributing 53.4% to the model’s decision-making, followed by temporal (25.0%) and airflow (21.6%) features. ConclusionST-EIT successfully captures the temporal, airflow, and spatial deviations in CP speech respiration that are undetectable by conventional methods—specifically, rapid phase transitions, hyperdynamic expiratory airflow, and regional ventilation heterogeneity. This study validates ST-EIT as a robust, non-invasive, and radiation-free tool for characterizing speech-respiratory dysfunction, offering high clinical value for bedside screening, rehabilitation planning, and longitudinal monitoring of patients with cleft palate.
6.Investigation of natural radionuclide activity indrinking water in Hohhot, China
Bo JU ; Gerilemandahu ; Yulong BAO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xiang LIU ; Haribala ; Xiao XU ; Zhichao SUN ; Xiaojuan YANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):159-164
Objective :
To investigate the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in drinking water (tap water andwell water) in urban and rural areas of Hohhot, assess the safety of drinking water, and to provide data support for localdrinking water radioactivity monitoring and management.
Methods :
Representative samples of well water and tap waterwere collected from nine banners/counties/districts in Hohhot. Activity concentrations were measured using a low-back-ground gross α/β counter, an α spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a radium/radon analyzer.
Results :
A total of nine tap water samples and nine well water samples were analyzed. For the tap water samples, gross αactivity concentrations ranged from 0.093 to 0.193 Bq/L, gross β from 0.091 to 0.225 Bq/L, uranium mass concentrationsfrom 2.32 to 10.36 μg/L, thorium mass concentrations from 0.09 to 0.20 μg/L,210Po activity concentrations from below theminimum detectable limit to 0.41 mBq/L, and 226Ra activity concentrations from 8.70 to 13.35 mBq/L. For the well watersamples, gross α activity concentrations ranged from 0.111 to 0.203 Bq/L, gross β from 0.111 to 0.270 Bq/L, uranium massconcentrations from 2.31 to 13.28 μg/L, thorium mass concentrations from 0.17 to 0.26 μg/L,210Po activity concentrationsfrom 1.03 to 2.12 mBq/L, and 226Ra activity concentrations from 15.38 to 23.63 mBq/L.
Conclusion
The activityconcen-trations of natural radionuclides in both well water and tap water in the Hohhot region were at environmental backgroundlevels and met national drinking water hygiene standards.
7.Shaoyaotang Regulates miRNA-155-mediated SOCS1/JAK1/STAT1 Signaling Pathway to Affect Macrophage Polarization
Qi CHENG ; Bo ZOU ; Youwei XIAO ; Yiqian YU ; Ruoru HUANG ; Yan GONG ; Jiachun XIONG ; Jun XIONG ; Dichang LAI ; Dongsheng WU ; Hui CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):43-52
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shaoyaotang regulates the miRNA-155-mediated suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1)/Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway and thereby affects macrophage polarization. MethodsThe cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of drug-containing serum of Shaoyaotang at different concentrations on the viability of RAW 264.7 cells. A cell model of inflammation was established by stimulating RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a concentration of 10 mg·L-1 The modeled cells were assigned by the random number table method into seven groups: LPS-induced M1 polarization (model), M1+miRNA-155 mimics, M1+miRNA-155 inhibitor, M1+Shaoyaotang-containing serum, M1+miRNA-155 mimics+Shaoyaotang-containing serum, M1+miRNA-155 inhibitor+Shaoyaotang-containing serum, and M1+blank serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)]. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of macrophage polarization markers [inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and macrophage mannose receptor 1 (CD206)]. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the expression of miRNA-155 in cells. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of SOCS1, STAT1, and JAK1. ResultsCompared with the LPS-induced M1 polarization (model) group, the M1+miRNA-155 mimics group showed up-regulated expression of miRNA-155, JAK1, STAT1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.05) and down-regulated expression of CD206 (P<0.05). In both the M1+miRNA-155 inhibitor group and the M1+Shaoyaotang-containing serum group, the expression levels of miRNA-155, JAK1, STAT1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS were down-regulated (P<0.05), while those of SOCS1 and CD206 were up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the M1+miRNA-155 mimics group, the M1+miRNA-155 mimics+Shaoyaotang-containing serum group showed down-regulated expression of miRNA-155, JAK1, STAT1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.05) and up-regulated expression of SOCS1 and CD206 (P<0.05). Compared with the M1+miRNA-155 inhibitor group, the M1+miRNA-155 inhibitor+Shaoyaotang-containing serum group showed down-regulated expression of miRNA-155, JAK1, STAT1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.05) and up-regulated expression of SOCS1 and CD206 (P<0.05). ConclusionShaoyaotang regulates macrophage polarization by modulating miRNA-155 expression and interfering with the SOCS1/JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway. The findings provide new experimental evidence for the treatment of ulcerative colitis with Shaoyaotang.
8.Effect and Mechanisms of Shaoyaotang on Murine Ulcerative Colitis via Modulating Macrophage Glycolytic Reprogramming and Polarization Through HIF-1α Pathway
Yiqian YU ; Hui CAO ; Dongsheng WU ; Bo ZOU ; Ruoru HUANG ; Qi CHENG ; Youwei XIAO ; Yan GONG ; Jiachun XIONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):53-60
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential role and underlying mechanisms of Shaoyaotang in intervening macrophage glycolytic reprogramming in ulcerative colitis (UC). MethodsForty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups: Normal control group, model group, mesalazine group (0.39 g·kg-1), Shaoyaotang group (15.54 g·kg-1), 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) group (glycolysis inhibitor, 100 mg·kg-1), and 2-DG + Shaoyaotang combined group (100 mg·kg-1+15.54 g·kg-1). Except for the normal control group, mice in the other five groups were induced to establish UC models using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The normal control group was administered pure water via intragastric gavage, while the other groups received intragastric gavage of mesalazine solution, intragastric gavage of Shaoyaotang, and the 2-DG group was treated with 2-DG via intraperitoneal injection. After 7 consecutive days of treatment, colonic tissues were extracted. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate histopathological changes and tissue injury in the colon. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in colonic tissues. Western blot analysis was employed to determine the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), glucose transporter (GLUT1), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) in colonic tissues. Immunofluorescence was conducted to detect the expression of CD206 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in colonic tissues. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was utilized to measure lactate and citrate levels in colonic tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, mice in the model group exhibited a significant increase in disease activity index (DAI) scores, accompanied by colonic mucosal congestion, edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration, significantly elevated expression of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (P<0.05), significantly decreased IL-10 expression (P<0.05), significantly increased levels of HIF-1α, GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2, and PFKFB3 in colonic tissues (P<0.05), markedly elevated iNOS expression (P<0.05), significantly decreased CD206 expression (P<0.05), and significantly elevated lactate and citrate levels in colonic tissues (P<0.05). In contrast to the model group, the Shaoyaotang group, inhibitor group, and Shaoyaotang combined with inhibitor group demonstrated amelioration of mucosal injury in colonic tissues, markely decreased expression levels of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (P<0.05), elevated IL-10 expression levels, significantly decreased expression of HIF-1α, GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2, and PFKFB3 (P<0.05), markedly reduced iNOS expression levels (P<0.05), significantly increased CD206 expression (P<0.05) and significantly decreased lactate and citrate levels (P<0.05). ConclusionShaoyaotang ameliorates symptoms of DSS-induced UC in mice, and its therapeutic mechanism may be associated with regulating macrophage glycolytic reprogramming via modulation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway.
9.Shaoyaotang Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating miR-155-5p
Ruoru HUANG ; Bo ZOU ; Yu ZHANG ; Yiqian YU ; Qi CHENG ; Youwei XIAO ; Jiachun XIONG ; Yan GONG ; Dongshen WU ; Hui CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):61-68
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of microRNA-155-5p (miR-155-5p) in ulcerative colitis (UC) and study the molecular mechanism of Shaoyaotang in the treatment of UC by regulating miR-155-5p. MethodsForty-eight SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice were selected and assigned via the random number table method into 6 groups (n=8): A blank control group, a model group, a mesalazine (0.39 g·kg-1) group, a Shaoyaotang (31.08 g·kg-1) group, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor (baricitinib, 10 mg·kg-1) group, and a Shaoyaotang combined with inhibitor (baricitinib 10 mg·kg-1 + Shaoyaotang 31.08 g·kg-1) group. After successful modeling of UC by gavage of 3% dextran sulphate sodium solution, each group received corresponding drug intervention for 7 days. Shaoyaotang and mesalazine were administered by gavage, and baricitinib by intraperitoneal injection. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium, and blood was collected for determination of white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Mice were then sacrificed for measurement of colon length. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe colonic pathological changes and perform pathological scoring. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the relative expression of miR-155-5p in the colonic tissue, and Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of JAK1, phosphorylated JAK1 (p-JAK1), suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), and phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1). ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed increased disease activity index (DAI) score and pathological score, shortened colon, upregulated relative expression of miR-155-5p and protein levels of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1, downregulated protein level of SOCS1 in the colonic tissue, prolonged time of erythrocyte sedimentation, and increased white blood cell count (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all drug-treated groups exhibited improvements in the above indicators (P<0.01). Moreover, the Shaoyaotang group showed better therapeutic effects than the mesalazine group in regulating miR-155-5p expression, related protein levels, DAI score, and colonic pathological score (P<0.01). ConclusionShaoyaotang may downregulate miR-155-5p to relieve its inhibition on SOCS1, thereby suppressing the excessive activation of the JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway and ultimately alleviating intestinal inflammatory damage.
10.Shaoyaotang Regulates TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway to Protect Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in Ulcerative Colitis
Dongsheng WU ; Yu ZHANG ; Wenjing QUAN ; Wanqing XIONG ; Bo ZOU ; Youwei XIAO ; Ruoru HUANG ; Yan GONG ; Hui CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):69-75
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in intestinal mucosal barrier damage in ulcerative colitis, as well as the intervention mechanism of Shaoyaotang. MethodsSixty SD rats were allocated into a blank group, a model group, a mesalazine (0.42 g·kg-1) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (11.1, 22.2, 44.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Shaoyaotang groups. A model of ulcerative colitis was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). After successful modeling, rats were administrated with corresponding agents via gavage for 7 days. Changes in colon length and colon weight were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to examine the pathological changes of the colon, and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), junction adhesion molecule-1 (JAM-1), and claudin-1 in the colon. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in the colon. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated DAI score (P<0.01), reduced colon length and colon weight (P<0.01), down-regulated protein levels of JAM-1 and claudin-1 (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of IL-8, COX-2, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01) in the colon tissue. Compared with the model group, each treatment group showed decreased DAI score (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased colon length and colon weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of JAM-1 and claudin-1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein levels of IL-8, COX-2, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01) in the colon tissue. ConclusionShaoyaotang alleviates intestinal inflammation and intestinal mucosal damage to protect intestinal barrier integrity by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

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