OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of action of herb pair of Angelica sinensis-Poria cocos in intervening in allergic rhinitis. METHODS The core targets of herb pair of A. sinensis-P. cocos in intervening in allergic rhinitis were predicted through network pharmacology. Allergic rhinitis model of rats was established by intraperitoneal injection of aluminum hydroxide and ovalbumin mixture， and the rats were randomly divided into model group， loratadine group （positive control group， 0.9 mg/kg）， and low-， medium-， high-dose groups of herb pair of A. sinensis-P. cocos （3， 6 and 12 g/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 healthy rats were used as the normal group. Each group of rats was intragastrically administered the corresponding liquid or normal saline once a day for 30 consecutive days. After the last administration， the behavioral scores of each group of rats were calculated， the levels of immunoglobulin E （IgE）， histamine， interleukin-4 （IL-4） in serum， and the protein expression levels of IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2） in nasal mucosa tissue were detected. The pathological morphology changes of nasal mucosa tissue were observed. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that IL-6， TNF and PTGS2 might play a key role in the intervention of allergic rhinitis by herb pair of A. sinensis-P. cocos， and the IL-17 and TNF signaling pathways might be the typical inflammatory signaling pathways intervened by herb pair of A. sinensis-P. cocos in allergic rhinitis. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， the behavioral score， the levels of IgE， histamine and IL-4， and the protein expressions of IL-6， TNF-α and PTGS2 in each administration group were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， and there was a dose-dependent relationship with the herb pair of A. sinensis-P. cocos （P＜ 0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The herb pair of A. sinensis-P. cocos can effectively alleviate the symptoms of rats with allergic rhinitis， the mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of the expressions of IL-6， TNF-α and PTGS2.

Objective:To explore the impacts of Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula on inflammatory response and T helper cell(Th)1/Th2 immune balance in rats with lung Qi deficiency cold type allergic rhinitis.Methods:Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group,low dose Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula group,medium dose Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula group,high dose Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula group,and desloratadine group,with 12 rats in each group,using a combination of smoking,cold stimula-tion combined with ovalbumin(OVA)sensitization and stimulation construct lung Qi deficiency cold type allergic rhinitis model.An-other 12 normal SD rats were selected as control group.Each group of rats was treated with corresponding drugs once a day for 14 days.Model group and control group rats were given physiological saline.Scoring method was used to analyze the behavioral score and lung index of rats with allergic rhinitis.HE staining was applied to detect pathological changes in rat nasal mucosa tissue.ELISA was ap-plied to detect levels of IFN-γ,IL-4 and TNF-α in rats serum;flow cytometry was applied to detect Th1/Th2.Western blot was applied to detect expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 protein in nasal mucosa tissues of rats in each group.Results:Compared with control group,pathological damage to nasal mucosa tissue of model group rats was severe,allergic rhinitis behavior score(days 41,48,56),lung index,levels of IL-4 and TNF-α,Th2 and protein expression of GATA-3 were increased,while levels of IFN-γ,Th1,Th1/Th2,and protein expression of T-bet were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,pathological damage to nasal mucosa tissue of rats in low,medium,high doses Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula groups and desloratadine group were alleviated,the allergic rhinitis behavior score(days 48,56),lung index,levels of IL-4 and TNF-α,Th2 and protein expression of GATA-3 were decreased,while levels of IFN-γ,Th1,Th1/Th2,and protein expression of T-bet were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula can inhibit inflammatory response of lung Qi deficiency cold type allergic rhinitis rats By regulating Th1/Th2 immune balance.

Objective To investigate the effect of Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao decoction on the inflammatory response in rats with allergic rhi-nitis(AR)of lung qi deficiency and cold type based on the Janus kinase 1(JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods A AR model of lung qi deficiency and cold type was established in rats using ovalbumin(OVA)combined with smoking and cold stimulation.After modeling,the rats were randomly divided into model,loratadine,low-dose Chinese medicine,high-dose Chinese medicine,and high-dose Chinese medicine+RO8191(JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway activator)groups,with 12 rats per group.Twelve healthy rats were used as controls.After 14 days of drug intervention,the changes in the symptoms of lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome and AR were observed in the rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-4,interferon-γ(IFN--γ),and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E(OVA-sIgE).The number of inflammatory cells in the nasal lavage fluid was determined and the eosinophil(EOS)percentage was calculated.Pathological changes in the nasal mucosal tissue were observed after hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway-related proteins in nasal mucosal tissue.Results Compared with those in the model group,the AR symptom score,serum IL-4,TNF-α,and OVA-sIgE levels,EOS percentage in nasal lavage fluid,and levels of p-JAK1/JAK1 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in the nasal mucosal tissue of rats in the loratadine,low-dose Chinese medicine,and high-dose Chinese medicine groups were lower,whereas the serum IFN-γ level was higher(P＜0.05).RO8191 weakened the inhibitory effect of Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao decoction on the inflammatory response in rats with AR of lung qi deficiency and cold type.Conclusion Overall,Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao decoction can alleviate the inflammatory response in rats with AR of lung qi deficiency and cold type by inhibiting JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway acti-vation and regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Objective:To explore the impacts of Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula on inflammatory response and T helper cell(Th)1/Th2 immune balance in rats with lung Qi deficiency cold type allergic rhinitis.Methods:Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group,low dose Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula group,medium dose Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula group,high dose Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula group,and desloratadine group,with 12 rats in each group,using a combination of smoking,cold stimula-tion combined with ovalbumin(OVA)sensitization and stimulation construct lung Qi deficiency cold type allergic rhinitis model.An-other 12 normal SD rats were selected as control group.Each group of rats was treated with corresponding drugs once a day for 14 days.Model group and control group rats were given physiological saline.Scoring method was used to analyze the behavioral score and lung index of rats with allergic rhinitis.HE staining was applied to detect pathological changes in rat nasal mucosa tissue.ELISA was ap-plied to detect levels of IFN-γ,IL-4 and TNF-α in rats serum;flow cytometry was applied to detect Th1/Th2.Western blot was applied to detect expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 protein in nasal mucosa tissues of rats in each group.Results:Compared with control group,pathological damage to nasal mucosa tissue of model group rats was severe,allergic rhinitis behavior score(days 41,48,56),lung index,levels of IL-4 and TNF-α,Th2 and protein expression of GATA-3 were increased,while levels of IFN-γ,Th1,Th1/Th2,and protein expression of T-bet were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,pathological damage to nasal mucosa tissue of rats in low,medium,high doses Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula groups and desloratadine group were alleviated,the allergic rhinitis behavior score(days 48,56),lung index,levels of IL-4 and TNF-α,Th2 and protein expression of GATA-3 were decreased,while levels of IFN-γ,Th1,Th1/Th2,and protein expression of T-bet were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao Formula can inhibit inflammatory response of lung Qi deficiency cold type allergic rhinitis rats By regulating Th1/Th2 immune balance.

Objective To investigate the effect of Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao decoction on the inflammatory response in rats with allergic rhi-nitis(AR)of lung qi deficiency and cold type based on the Janus kinase 1(JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods A AR model of lung qi deficiency and cold type was established in rats using ovalbumin(OVA)combined with smoking and cold stimulation.After modeling,the rats were randomly divided into model,loratadine,low-dose Chinese medicine,high-dose Chinese medicine,and high-dose Chinese medicine+RO8191(JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway activator)groups,with 12 rats per group.Twelve healthy rats were used as controls.After 14 days of drug intervention,the changes in the symptoms of lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome and AR were observed in the rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-4,interferon-γ(IFN--γ),and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E(OVA-sIgE).The number of inflammatory cells in the nasal lavage fluid was determined and the eosinophil(EOS)percentage was calculated.Pathological changes in the nasal mucosal tissue were observed after hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway-related proteins in nasal mucosal tissue.Results Compared with those in the model group,the AR symptom score,serum IL-4,TNF-α,and OVA-sIgE levels,EOS percentage in nasal lavage fluid,and levels of p-JAK1/JAK1 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in the nasal mucosal tissue of rats in the loratadine,low-dose Chinese medicine,and high-dose Chinese medicine groups were lower,whereas the serum IFN-γ level was higher(P＜0.05).RO8191 weakened the inhibitory effect of Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao decoction on the inflammatory response in rats with AR of lung qi deficiency and cold type.Conclusion Overall,Yiqi Wenfei Tongqiao decoction can alleviate the inflammatory response in rats with AR of lung qi deficiency and cold type by inhibiting JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway acti-vation and regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Objective To explore the effect of ephedrine on airway remodeling and its regulation effect on transfor-ming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads pathway in asthmatic mice.Methods All mice were randomly separated into control group,model group,dexamethasone group,ephedrine low-dose group,ephedrine high-dose group,and ephedrine high-dose+TGF-β1 activator group,with 12 mice in each group.Except for the control group,mice in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 40 μg ovalbumin(OVA)and 2 mg 10％aluminium hydroxide sensitizer to induce asthma models.After 8 weeks,the airway hyperresponsiveness of mice in each group was detec-ted;eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were counted;ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,and IL-13 in BALF;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were applied to observe the pathological changes and collagen fiber area of mouse lung tissue;immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)protein in mouse lung tissue;Western blot was applied to detect the expression of TGF-β1/Smads pathway related proteins in mouse lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,total area of airway wall(Wat)/perimeter of the basement membrane(Pbm)ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the model group in-creased(P＜0.05),the expression of Smad7 decreased(P＜0.05);compared with the model group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,Wat/Pbm ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the dexamethasone group,the ephedrine low-dose and high-dose groups decreased(P＜0.05),the expression of Smad7 increased(P＜0.05);compared with the ephedrine high-dose group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,Wat/Pbm ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the ex-pression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the ephedrine high-dose+TGF-β1 activator group increased(P＜0.05),the expression of Smad7 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion E-phedrine can improve airway remodeling in asthmatic mice,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Zhike Pingchuan Formula on reducing airway inflammation in mice with bronchial asthma(BA).Methods A total of 84 BALB/c mice were randomly separated into the control group,the BA group,the low-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula group,the high-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula group,the dexamethasone group,the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group and the high-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula+LPS group,with 12 mice in each group.The BA model was constructed in all groups of mice except the control group.After successful modeling,mice were treated with drug administration once a day for 3 weeks.Serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)concentration and levels of interleukin-17(IL-17)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in alveolar lavage fluid were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Pathological changes in lung tissue was detected by HE staining.The bronchial epithelium goblet cell proliferation and mucus secretion were determined by PAS staining.Flow cytometry was used to detect levels of T helper cell 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)cell in mouse spleen tissue.Western blot assay was used to detect toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)pathway-related protein expression in lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,damage of lung tissue was serious,the proliferation of bronchial epithelial goblet cells and the secretion of mucus increased,IgE concentration,TNF-α,IL-17 levels,Th17 cell proportion,Th17/Treg ratio,and TLR4,TRAF6,p-NF-κB p65 protein expression increased,while Treg cell proportion decreased in the BA group(P＜0.05).Compared with the BA group,the bronchial epithelial cupular cell proliferation and mucus secretion were reduced in the low-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula group,the high-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula group and the dexamethasone group,the lung tissue damage was improved,the concentration of IgE,levels of TNF-α,IL-17,the proportion of Th17 cells,the ratio of Th17/Treg and expression of protein levels of TLR4,TRAF6 and p-NF-κB p65 were reduced,and the proportion of Treg cell was elevated(P＜0.05).The trend of corresponding indexes in the LPS group was opposite to the above(P＜0.05).Compared with the high-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula group,the pathological damage of lung tissue increased in the high-dose Zhike Pingchuan Formula+LPS group.The proliferation of bronchial epithelial goblet cells and the secretion of mucus increased,the IgE concentration,TNF-α,IL-17 levels,Th17 cell proportion,Th17/Treg ratio and TLR4,TRAF6,p-NF-κB p65 protein expression increased,while the Treg cell proportion decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Zhike Pingchuan Formula may reduce airway inflammation in BA mice by inhibiting TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB pathway.

Objective To explore the effect of Yizheng Recipe on pyroptosis of alveolar epithelium in rats with recurrent respiratory tract infection(RRTI)based on HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway.Methods SD rats were firstly grouped into normal group and model group.In the model group,the RRTI rat model of spleen-Qi deficiency and lung- Qi deficiency was induced by fatigue combined with diet disorder and shavings and tobacco leaf smoking.Then,the rats in the model group were grouped into:RRTI model group(gavaged with normal saline 0.5 mL·100 g-1·d-1)and Yupingfeng Powder control treatment group(gavaged with Yupingfeng Powder suspension 0.5 mL·100 g-1·d-1),Yizheng Recipe high,medium and low-dose treatment groups(gavaged with Yizheng Recipe 0.75,0.5,0.25 mL·100 g-1·d-1),the normal group(gavaged with normal saline 0.5 mL·100 g-1·d-1).The general activities of the rats were observed and the pulmonary function of the rats was detected by the AniRes2005 animal pulmonary function analysis system;the expression of inflammatory factors in rat serum was detected by ELISA;HE,PAS and TUNEL staining were applied to detect the pathological changes of lung tissue;Western blot was applied to detect cell pyroptosis and the expression of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins.Results Compared with the normal group,the lung function of the RRTI model group was weakened;the inflammatory response increased,and the lung tissue damage,edema and apoptosis were obviously increased;meantime,the pyroptosis was aggravated,and the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway was activated(P<0.05).Compared with the RRTI model group,the Yupingfeng Powder control treatment group and the Yizheng Recipe high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose treatment groups all had different degrees of remission in lung function;inflammatory response reduced,the lung tissue damage,edema and apoptosis reduced;meantime,the pyroptosis and HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway were inhibited(P<0.05).Yizheng Recipe high-dose treatment group and Yupingfeng Powder control treatment group had similar curative effect on RRTI model rats(P>0.05);and Yizheng Recipe was dose-dependent in treating RRTI model rats(P<0.05).Conclusion Yizheng Recipe may inhibit the pyroptosis of alveolar epithelial cells in RRTI model rats by reducing the inflammatory response,and then protecting the lung tissue from damage,this process may be related to the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

The vagina contains at least a billion microbial cells,dominated by lactobacilli.Here we perform metagenomic shotgun sequencing on cervical and fecal samples from a cohort of 516 Chinese women of reproductive age,as well as cervical,fecal,and salivary samples from a second cohort of 632 women.Factors such as pregnancy history,delivery history,cesarean section,and breastfeeding were all more important than menstrual cycle in shaping the microbiome,and such information would be necessary before trying to interpret differences between vagino-cervical micro-biome data.Greater proportion of Bifidobacterium breve was seen with older age at sexual debut.The relative abundance of lactobacilli especially Lactobacillus crispatus was negatively associated with pregnancy history.Potential markers for lack of menstrual regularity,heavy flow,dysmenor-rhea,and contraceptives were also identified.Lactobacilli were rare during breastfeeding or post-menopause.Other features such as mood fluctuations and facial speckles could potentially be predicted from the vagino-cervical microbiome.Gut and salivary microbiomes,plasma vitamins,metals,amino acids,and hormones showed associations with the vagino-cervical microbiome.Our results offer an unprecedented glimpse into the microbiota of the female reproductive tract and call for international collaborations to better understand its long-term health impact other than in the settings of infection or pre-term birth.

Objective To investigate the relationship between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and neutropenia after adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 44 patients with colorectal cancer performed adjuvant chemotherapy in Shunyi District Hospital from December 2014 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into group A (grade 0-2 neutropenia) and group B (grade3-4 neutropenia) according to the degree of neutropenia. The serum albumin, peripheral lymphocyte counts, and neutrophil counts within 1 week before chemotherapy were collected, and the PNI was calculated. The chi-square test and rank sum test were used to compare the clinical data, body mass index (BMI), baseline neutrophil count, and PNI between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for neutropenia after chemotherapy. Results The baseline median neutrophil counts and median PNI in group A were 3.17×109/L [(1.38-7.79)×109/L] and 50.40 (37.40-57.05), and in group B were 2.54 ×109/L [(1.22-3.87) ×109/L] and 45.50 (37.95-50.95). The baseline neutrophil counts and PNI in group A were significantly higher than those in group B, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (Z= -2.085, P= 0.037; Z= -2.615, P= 0.009). Logistic regression analysis showed that PNI was an independent risk factor for neutropenia after chemotherapy (HR=0.803, 95％CI 0.646-0.998, P= 0.048). Conclusion PNI has a certain role in predicting neutropenia after adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.