BACKGROUND:Rev-erbα is involved in the regulation of inflammation,but pharmacological activation of Rev-erbα increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.To reduce the relevant risk,an exploration on SR9009,a Rev-erbα agonist,combined with other drugs to relieve inflammation in skeletal myoblasts was conducted,laying the theoretical foundation for the treatment of inflammation-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship of SR9009,indolepropionic acid and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced C2C12 myoblasts. METHODS:(1)C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate in the presence of lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL).RNA-seq and KEGG pathway analysis were used to study signaling pathways.(2)C2C12 myoblast viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay to determine optimal concentrations of indolepropionic acid.Subsequently,cells were categorized into control group,lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)group,SR9009(10 μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,indolepropionic acid(80μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,and SR9009+indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.ELISA was employed to measure protein expression levels of interleukin-6 in the cultured supernatant.Real-time quantitative PCR were employed to measure mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Western blot assay were employed to measure protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65.(3)After Rev-erbα was knocked down by siRNA,knockdown efficiency was assessed by RT-qPCR.And mRNA levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were also measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,lipopolysaccharide time-dependently inhibited myofibroblast fusion to form myotubes,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were elevated,and the level of interleukin-6 in the cell supernatant was significantly increased.The results of KEGG pathway showed that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was activated by lipopolysaccharide.Indolepropionic acid exhibited significant suppression of C2C12 myoblasts viability when its concentration exceeded 80 μmol/L.Indolepropionic acid and SR9009 inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby played an anti-inflammatory role,and suppressed the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression were downregulated.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid notably reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation,further downregulated the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.The ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression was significantly lower than that in the SR9009+lipopolysaccharide group or indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.Rev-erbα increases time-dependently with lipopolysaccharide induction.The knockdown efficiency of Rev-erbα by siRNA reached over 58%,and lipopolysaccharide was added after Rev-erbα was successfully knocked down.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly up-regulated.These results conclude that Rev-erbα may act as a promising pharmacological target to reduce inflammation.SR9009 targeted activation of Rev-erbα combined with indolepropionic acid significantly inhibits the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and attenuates the inflammatory response of C2C12 myofibroblasts.Moreover,the combined anti-inflammatory effect is superior to that of the intervention alone.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Renshentang on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice based on the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 （TRPV1） in regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells. MethodsNine SPF-grade 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were set as a normal group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice were randomized into model， positive drug （simvastatin， 0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Renshentang groups （n=12） according to body weight. The normal group was fed with a normal diet， and the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet and given corresponding drugs by oral gavage for the modeling of AS. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 12 weeks. After the last administration and fasting for 12 h， the aorta was collected. Plaque conditions， pathological changes， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglcerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （HDL-C）， and the expression of TRPV1， liver X receptor （LXR）， inducible degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor （IDOL）， and low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） in the aortic tissue were observed and detected by gross oil red O staining， HE staining， Western blot， immunohistochemistry， and real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious plaque deposition in the aorta， raised levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the serum （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression level of LDLR in the aorta （P<0.01）， lowered level of HDL-C in the serum， and down-regulated expression levels of TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL in the aorta （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the positive drug and Renshentang at different doses alleviated AS， elevated the levels of HDL-C， TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while lowering the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang has a lipid-lowering effect on AS mice. It can effectively reduce lipid deposition， lipid levels， and plaque area of AS mice by activating TRPV1 expression and regulating the LXR/IDOL/LDLR pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Renshentang on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice based on the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 （TRPV1） in regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells. MethodsNine SPF-grade 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were set as a normal group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice were randomized into model， positive drug （simvastatin， 0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Renshentang groups （n=12） according to body weight. The normal group was fed with a normal diet， and the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet and given corresponding drugs by oral gavage for the modeling of AS. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 12 weeks. After the last administration and fasting for 12 h， the aorta was collected. Plaque conditions， pathological changes， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglcerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （HDL-C）， and the expression of TRPV1， liver X receptor （LXR）， inducible degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor （IDOL）， and low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） in the aortic tissue were observed and detected by gross oil red O staining， HE staining， Western blot， immunohistochemistry， and real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious plaque deposition in the aorta， raised levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the serum （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression level of LDLR in the aorta （P<0.01）， lowered level of HDL-C in the serum， and down-regulated expression levels of TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL in the aorta （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the positive drug and Renshentang at different doses alleviated AS， elevated the levels of HDL-C， TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while lowering the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang has a lipid-lowering effect on AS mice. It can effectively reduce lipid deposition， lipid levels， and plaque area of AS mice by activating TRPV1 expression and regulating the LXR/IDOL/LDLR pathway.

AIM:To investigate the effects of sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS)on hexokinase 2(HK2)-nucleo-tide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)-gasdermin D(GSDMD)pathway and pyroptosis in-duced by lung ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)in rats.METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups:control group,control+NaHS group,I/R group,low-dose NaHS+I/R(L+I/R)group,medium-dose NaHS+I/R(M+I/R)group,and high-dose NaHS+I/R(H+I/R)group,with 6 rats in each group.The NaHS was administered via intraperi-toneal injection at 1.5 mL,30 min before modeling.The left lung tissues were collected 30 min after ischemia and 1 h af-ter reperfusion,and the wet/dry weight ratio and total lung water content were recorded.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to examine lung tissue morphological changes.The levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),myeloperoxidase(MPO)and lactate in lung tissues were measured with test kits.ELISA was employed to determine the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18.The expression of glycolysis-and pyroptosis-related indicators was analyzed by Western blot,qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the rats in NaHS group showed no signifi-cant differences in all laboratory tests(P>0.05).The rats in I/R group exhibited significant lung injury,oxidative stress,increased lactate level,and up-regulated glycolysis and pyroptosis(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with I/R group,the indicators in L+I/R group showed a downward trend(P<0.01)or no difference(P>0.05),while those in M+I/R group dis-played a significant reduction(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,the indexes in H+I/R group exhibited no significant dif-ferences in these tests(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:A moderate dose(56 μmol·L-1·kg-1)of NaHS mitigated the oc-currence of pyroptosis by inhibiting the HK2-NLRP3-GSDMD pathway,thus contributing to the attenuation of lung I/R in-jury in rats.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang on the progression of atherosclerosis （AS） mice based on the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in foam cells by transient receptor potential channel ankyrin 1 （TRPA1）. MethodThe AS model was established on apolipoprotein E knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice with a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into low-dose， middle-dose， and high-dose groups of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang （2.97， 5.94， 11.88 g·kg^-1） and simvastatin group （0.002 g·kg^-1）， and the drug was administered along with a high-fat diet. C57BL/6J mice were fed an ordinary diet as a normal group. After the above process， the aorta and serum of mice were taken. The pathological changes of the aortic root were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The lipid plaques in the aorta were observed by gross oil redness. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were detected， and the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot and immunohistochemical method were used to analyze the expression of TRPA1， ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1）， ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 （ABCG1）， and mannose receptor （CD206）. ResultFrom the perspective of drug efficacy， compared with the normal group， pathological changes such as plaque， a large number of foam cells， and cholesterol crystals appeared in the aorta of the model group， and the serum levels of TC， LDL-C， IL-1β， and IL-18 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The HDL-C level was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the CD206 level in aortic tissue was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the lipid deposition in the aorta was alleviated in all drug administration groups. In addition， except for the high-dose group of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang， all drug administration groups could significantly decrease the levels of TC and LDL-C （P<0.01）. In terms of inflammation， except for the middle-dose group of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang， the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased in all drug administration groups （P<0.05）. Moreover， Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang could also up-regulate the levels of CD206， and the difference was significant in the middle-dose and high-dose groups （P<0.05）. From the perspective of mechanism， the expression levels of TRPA1， ABCA1， and ABCG1 in the aorta in the model group were lower than those in the normal group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all drug administration groups significantly increased the expression of TRPA1 in the aorta （P<0.05）， and the expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1 were increased. The differences in the middle-dose and high-dose groups and the simvastatin group were significant （P<0.05）， which was basically consistent with the trend of immunohistochemical results. ConclusionZhishi Xiebai Guizhitang can effectively reduce blood lipid and inflammation levels and inhibit the formation of aortic plaque. The mechanism may be explained as follows： the expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1 downstream are increased through TRPA1， which promotes cholesterol outflow in foam cells， thereby regulating cholesterol metabolism， intervening in inflammation level to a certain extent， and finally treating AS.

Osteoporosis （OP） is a common bone disease affecting the quality of life and causing huge medical burden to the patients and society. The occurrence of OP is mainly caused by excessive bone resorption and insufficient bone formation， which are directly influenced by external calcium ion balance. Calcium imbalance can impair bone integrity， reduce the calcium supply to the bone， and lower the calcium content in the bone， thus triggering OP. Drugs are the main anti-OP therapy in modern medicine， which， however， may cause adverse reactions and drug dependence. Chinese medicines have good clinical effects and high safety in treating OP， being suitable for long-term use. Recent studies have shown that Chinese medicines can alleviate estrogen deficiency， regulate bone cell and calcium metabolism， which is crucial for the formation and development of OP. The transient receptor potential cation channel superfamily V members 5 and 6 （TRPV5 and TRPV6， respectively） affect bone homeostasis by mediating the transmembrane calcium ion transport in the intestine （TRPV6） and kidney （TRPV5）. Therefore， TRPV5/6 is one of the key targets to understand the anti-OP mechanisms of the effective parts of Chinese medicines， which is worthy of further study. This paper summarizes the research results about the anti-OP effects of Chinese medicines in the last two decades， especially the mechanism of regulating calcium metabolism， aiming to provide new ideas for the basic research， clinical application， and drug development of OP treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on tourniquet-induced hypertension (TIH) in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Methods:Seventy-four patients of either sex, aged 18-60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or II, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under general anesthesia combined with preoperative femoral nerve block, were divided into 2 groups ( n=37 each) using a random number table method: sham stimulation group (group SS) and group taVNS. Group SS received stimulation on the ear lobe and the tail of the helix of the left ear. Group taVNS received stimulation on the cymba concha and the earlobe of the left ear. Both groups received stimulation from 1 h before induction of anesthesia until the end of the procedure (frequency of 30 Hz, pulse width of 300 μs, and amplitude of the strongest current that could be tolerated by the patient in the absence of pain). The tourniquet inflation pressure was 280 mmHg, with an inflation time of 60-90 min. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before tourniquet inflation to assess the development of intraoperative TIH. The consumption of intraoperative propofol, remifentanil, nitroglycerin, esmolol, norepinephrine and atropine was recorded, and the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, skin itching and headache and dizziness was also recorded. Results:Compared with group SS, the incidence of TIH and the number of patients used nitroglycerin were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), and no significant changes were found in the other parameters in group taVNS ( P>0.05). Conclusions:taVNS can decrease the occurrence of TIH in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism and effect of Qingfei Paidu decoction on transient receptor potential vanilloid-1/Transient receptor potential ankyrin1 （TRPV1/TRPA1） based on heat-sensitive channel and inflammatory response. MethodAccording to body weight， 80 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， dexamethasone group （5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Qingfei Paidu decoction （14.865， 29.73， 59.46 g·kg^-1）， with 12 mice in each group. In addition to the normal group， the other groups were administered 20 μL （1×10^-3 g·kg^-1） to each mouse by airway infusion to establish the acute lung injury （ALI） model. In the administration group， the drug was given 1 h after modeling and again after an interval of 24 h. The lung tissue was taken 36 h after modeling. Double lung wet/dry weight ratio（W/D）， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Western blot were used to observe and detect the pathological changes of lung tissue， expression levels of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and expressions of TRPV1 and TRPA1 proteins in heat-sensitive channel， nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB）， inhibitor of NF-κB （IκBα） in inflammatory pathway， and phosphorylated proteins. The phosphorylated protein/total protein ratio was calculated. ResultCompared with that in the normal group， the lung tissue of mice in the model group was seriously damaged， and pulmonary capillary permeability increased. Alveolar capillary congestion and dilation destroyed the complete structure of the alveolar， and the alveolar wall thickened. A large number of inflammatory cells and red blood cells were infiltrated， and pulmonary edema was significantly aggravated. The expressions of TNF-α， IL-6， TRPV1， TRPA1， phosphorylated NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65， and phosphorylated IκBα/IκBα were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the whole lung W/D was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the dexamethasone group and low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Qingfei Paidu decoction could significantly improve pulmonary edema. TNF-α， IL-6， TRPV1， TRPA1， lung tissue NF-κB p65， and IκBα phosphorylated protein/total protein ratio decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The whole lung W/D also decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQingfei Paidu decoction has anti-inflammatory and protective effects on LPS-ALI mice， which can effectively reduce inflammation， induce diuresis， and alleviate edema. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of TRPA1 and TRPV1 and the inhibition of the activation of the NF-κB pathway.

Objective To investigate the correlation between MEX3A and differentiation characteristics of gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia,and its combination with caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2(CDX2)and mucin 2(MUC2)and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC)to determine the role of carcinogenic intestinal metaplasia.Methods From January 2010 to December 2014,a total of 410 cases of gastric cancer and paracarcinoma paraffin-embedded tissue samples were selected from the Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College and the Second Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College.According to pathological diagnosis,they were divided into control group(mild superficial gastritis,79 cases),intestinal metaplasia group(149 cases)and gastric cancer group(182 cases).The expressions of MEX3A,CDX2,MUC2 and MUC5AC were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results MEX3A was highly expressed in gastric cancer group and intestinal metaplasia group,especially diffuse gastric cancer,poorly differentiated gastric cancer and type Ⅲ intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).CDX2 and MUC2 were highly expressed in gastric cancer group and intestinal metaplasia group,especially intestinal type gastric cancer,highly and moderately differentiated gastric cancer,type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).The expression of MUC5AC was high in control group and low in gastric cancer group and intestinal metaplasia group,especially in intestinal type gastric cancer,type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05).Gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia differentiation were negatively correlated with MEX3A and MUC5AC expression,but positively correlated with CDX2 and MUC2 expression(P<0.05).MEX3A was negatively correlated with the expression of CDX2 and MUC2,and positively correlated with the expression of MUC5AC in gastric cancer(P<0.05).MEX3A was negatively correlated with the expression of CDX2 and MUC2 in intestinal metaplasia(P<0.05),while CDX2 was positively correlated with the expression of MUC2(P<0.05).Conclusion MEX3A is negatively correlated with gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia differentiation.Gastric cancer is characterized by high MEX3A expression and low CDX2 and MUC2 expression.

Objective:To discuss the effect of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor methyl 3-｛[(4-methyl-phenyl)sulfonyl]amino ｝ benzoate(MS AB)on the fibrogenic response of the human endometrial stromal cells(HESCs),and to provide the foundation for the application of MSAB in the target therapy of intrauteriue adhesion(JUA).Methods:The normal HESCs were cultured in vitro and divided into two groups:control group and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)group;the HESCs from the adhesion part of the IUA patients were cultured in vitro,regarded as IUA group.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of fibrotic marker protein type Ⅰ collagen α1(COL1A1)in the cells in various groups at different time points(0,12,24,48,and 60 h)after treated with TGF-β1.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of the fibrotic marker protein COL1A1,stromal marker proteins such as N-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related protein β-catenin in the cells in control and IUA groups.Based on the MSAB concentrations,the normal HESCs were divided into 0(control),0.25,0.50,0.75,and 1.00 μmol·L-1 MSAB groups,and MTT assay was used to detect the survival rates of the cells in various groups.After treated with MSAB,the normal HESCs were divided into control group(normal HESCs),TGF-β1 group(10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 induced normal HESCs for 24 h then the drug was withdrawn,replaced with complete culture medium,and the cells continued to be cultured for 24 h),and MSAB group(10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 induced normal HESCs for 24 h then the drug was withdrawn,replaced with a complete medium containing 0.75 μmol·L-1 MSAB and the cells continued to be cultured for 24 h).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related transcription factors Snail,Slug,Smuc,ZEB1,and ZEB2,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in various groups.Results:Compared with control group(after treated with TGF-β1 for 0 h),the expression levels of COL1A1 proteins in the HESCs after treated with TGF-β1 for 12,24,48,and 60 h in TGF-β1 group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,there was no significant difference in the proliferation activity of the HESCs in IUA and TGF-β1 groups(P＞0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of COL1A1,β-catenin,N-cadherin,and α-SMA proteins in the cells in IUA group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the survival rates of the cells in 0.75 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 MSAB groups were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the expression levels of Snail,Slug,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in TGF-β1 group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of Snail,Slug,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in MSAB group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,after treated with TGF-β1 for 24 h,the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in TGF-β1 group were increased(P＜0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in MSAB group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion:MSAB can inhibit the fibrogenic responses of the HESCs in vitro,and the results provide the theoretical basis for the application of MSAB in the target therapy of IUA.