1.Evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the magnolol ester derivative YW and investigate its mechanism of action on chondrocyte senescence
Haochen XU ; Jie PENG ; Pingting YANG ; Meihua ZHANG ; Weiwen HU ; Xulei WANG ; Wei WEI ; Chun WANG ; Shangxue YAN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):845-854
ObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the novel magnolol ester derivative YW and to investigate its effects on chondrocyte senescence and preliminary mechanisms. MethodsMagnolol and p-methylbenzoic acid were used as raw materials to synthesize the magnolol ester derivative YW (Molecular Formula: C26H24O3, Molecular Weight: 384.17, HPLC Purity >96%) via DCC/DMAP-catalyzed esterification. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage activation model and an interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced rat primary chondrocyte model were established. The release and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including nitric oxide (NO), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Griess reagent method, and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The expression of senescence markers such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-interleukin-1β (pro-IL-1β), lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT7), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16), as well as proteins related to chondrocyte extracellular matrix synthesis and catabolism, were analyzed by Western blot (WB). Molecular docking was performed using Discovery Studio 2019 to validate target binding. ResultsYW exhibited no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations ≤20 μmol/L. YW concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory cytokine release, significantly downregulated iNOS, Pro-IL-1β protein, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression (P<0.01). YW stably bound to KAT7 protein (binding energy: -94.2 kcal/mol); YW downregulated KAT7 and aging marker protein expression in naturally aged and IL-1β-induced chondrocyte models (P<0.01); YW regulated chondrocyte matrix synthesis and catabolic protein expression in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes (P<0.01). ConclusionYW inhibits macrophage activation and inflammatory cytokine release while downregulating KAT7 and senescence marker protein expression in chondrocytes, thereby blocking chondrocyte senescence.
2.Awareness of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis for AIDS among men who have sex with men in Yangzhou City
JIANG Yan ; LI Jincheng ; XU Chun ; YANG Kejiao ; YANG Wenbin ; XU Sheng
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(9):903-906,912
Objective:
To investigate the awareness rate of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for AIDS and its influencing factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province.
Methods:
From January to June 2024, MSM aged ≥16 years in Yangzhou City were recruited using the snowball sampling method. Basic information, sexual behavior characteristics, awareness and usage of nPEP, and awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for AIDS were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting awareness of nPEP among MSM were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 740 participants were enrolled, with a median age of 29 (interquartile range, 14) years. There were 497 participants with a college degree and above educational level, accounting for 67.16%. A total of 541 participants resided in urban areas, accounting for 73.11%. The awareness rate of nPEP was 57.30%. The primary channels for awareness were the internet and healthcare institution promotions, with 159 and 119 participants, accounting for 37.50% and 28.07%, respectively. A total of 57 participants had utilized nPEP, with a usage rate of 7.70%. The main reason for using nPEP was having unprotected sex, with 21 participants, accounting for 36.84%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that unmarried MSM (OR=2.369, 95%CI: 1.236-4.540) and those who were aware of PrEP (OR=28.067, 95%CI: 17.664-44.597) had a significantly higher likelihood of being aware of nPEP.
Conclusions
The awareness rate and usage rate of nPEP among MSM in Yangzhou City are both relatively low. Awareness of nPEP is mainly influenced by marital status and whether participants are aware of PrEP.
3.Advances in molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuits underlying circadian rhythms in Drosophila.
Wu-Yan XU ; Chun-Xue QIAO ; Fei-Xiang LI ; Ding-Bang MA
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):627-640
Circadian rhythms are core regulatory mechanisms that evolved to align biological functions with the Earth's rotation. These rhythms are conserved across organisms from unicellular life to multicellular species and play essential roles in metabolism, immune responses, and sleep-wake cycle. Circadian disruptions are strongly associated with various diseases. Over the past decades, genetic studies in Drosophila and mice have identified key conserved clock genes and uncovered transcription-translation feedback loops governing circadian regulation. Additionally, rhythmic neurons in the brain integrate complex neural circuits to precisely regulate physiological and behavioral rhythms. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the neuronal circuit mechanisms of rhythmic neurons in the Drosophila brain and discusses future directions for translating circadian rhythm research into chronomedicine and precision therapies.
Animals
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Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
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Neurons/physiology*
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Drosophila/physiology*
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Brain/physiology*
;
Nerve Net/physiology*
4.Synergistic neuroprotective effects of main components of salvianolic acids for injection based on key pathological modules of cerebral ischemia.
Si-Yu TAN ; Ya-Xu WU ; Zi-Shu YAN ; Ai-Chun JU ; De-Kun LI ; Peng-Wei ZHUANG ; Yan-Jun ZHANG ; Hong GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):693-701
This study aims to explore the synergistic effects of the main components in salvianolic acids for Injection(SAFI) on key pathological events in cerebral ischemia, elucidating the pharmacological characteristics of SAFI in neuroprotection. Two major pathological gene modules related to endothelial injury and neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia were mined from single-cell data. According to the topological distance calculated in network medicine, potential synergistic component combinations of SAFI were screened out. The results showed that the combination of caffeic acid and salvianolic acid B scored the highest in addressing both endothelial injury and neuroinflammation, demonstrating potential synergistic effects. The cell experiments confirmed that the combination of these two components at a ratio of 1∶1 significantly protected brain microvascular endothelial cells(bEnd.3) from oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced reperfusion injury and effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells(BV-2). This study provides a new method for uncovering synergistic effects among active components in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and offers novel insights into the multi-component, multi-target acting mechanisms of TCM.
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
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Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*
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Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Benzofurans/pharmacology*
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Mice
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Drug Synergism
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Caffeic Acids/pharmacology*
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Polyphenols/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Alkenes/pharmacology*
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Endothelial Cells/drug effects*
;
Depsides
5.Characterization of protective effects of Jianpi Tongluo Formula on cartilage in knee osteoarthritis from a single cell-spatial heterogeneity perspective.
Yu-Dong LIU ; Teng-Teng XU ; Zhao-Chen MA ; Chun-Fang LIU ; Wei-Heng CHEN ; Na LIN ; Yan-Qiong ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):741-749
This study aims to integrate data mining techniques of single cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics, along with animal experiment validation, so as to systematically characterize the protective effects of Jianpi Tongluo Formula(JTF) on the cartilage in knee osteoarthritis(KOA) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Single cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics datasets(GSE254844 and GSE255460) of the cartilage tissue obtained from KOA patients were analyzed to map the single cell-spatial heterogeneity and identify key pathogenic factors. After that, a KOA rat model was established via knee joint injection of papain. The intervention effects of JTF on the expression features of these key factors were assessed through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. As a result, the integrated single cell and spatial transcriptomics data identified distinct cell subsets with different pathological changes in different regions of the inflamed cartilage tissue in KOA, and their differentiation trajectories were closely related to the inflammatory fibrosis-like pathological changes of chondrocytes. Accordingly, the expression levels of the two key effect targets, namely nuclear receptor coactivator 4(NCOA4) and high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) were significantly reduced in the articular surface and superficial zone of the inflamed joints when JTF effectively alleviated various pathological changes in KOA rats, thus reversing the abnormal chondrocyte autophagy level, relieving the inflammatory responses and fibrosis-like pathological changes, and promoting the repair of chondrocyte function. Collectively, this study revealed the heterogeneous characteristics and dynamic changes of inflamed cartilage tissue in different regions and different cell subsets in KOA patients. It is worth noting that NCOA4 and HMGB1 were crucial in regulating chondrocyte autophagy and inflammatory reaction, while JTF could reverse the regulation of NCOA4 and HMGB1 and correct the abnormal molecular signal axis in the target cells of the inflamed joints. The research can provide a new research idea and scientific basis for developing a personalized therapeutic schedule targeting the spatiotemporal heterogeneity characteristics of KOA.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Rats
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Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology*
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Humans
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Male
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Cartilage, Articular/metabolism*
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Chondrocytes/metabolism*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Female
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Protective Agents/administration & dosage*
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Single-Cell Analysis
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Middle Aged
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HMGB1 Protein/metabolism*
6.Association between Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance and Abdominal Fat Distribution: A Trait Spectrum Exposure Pattern and Structure-Based Investigation.
Zhi LI ; Shi Lin SHAN ; Chen Yang SONG ; Cheng Zhe TAO ; Hong QIAN ; Qin YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Qiao Qiao XU ; Yu Feng QIN ; Yun FAN ; Chun Cheng LU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):3-14
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles.
METHODS:
Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk.
RESULTS:
Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk.
CONCLUSION
PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans
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Fluorocarbons/blood*
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Female
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Adult
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Middle Aged
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Male
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Environmental Pollutants/blood*
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Abdominal Fat
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Nutrition Surveys
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Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood*
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Obesity
;
Environmental Exposure
7.Effects of Hot Night Exposure on Human Semen Quality: A Multicenter Population-Based Study.
Ting Ting DAI ; Ting XU ; Qi Ling WANG ; Hao Bo NI ; Chun Ying SONG ; Yu Shan LI ; Fu Ping LI ; Tian Qing MENG ; Hui Qiang SHENG ; Ling Xi WANG ; Xiao Yan CAI ; Li Na XIAO ; Xiao Lin YU ; Qing Hui ZENG ; Pi GUO ; Xin Zong ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):178-193
OBJECTIVE:
To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality.
METHODS:
A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters.
RESULTS:
The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans
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Male
;
Semen Analysis
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Adult
;
Sperm Motility
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Hot Temperature/adverse effects*
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China
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Middle Aged
;
Spermatozoa/physiology*
;
Young Adult
8.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
;
Mortality
;
Cause of Death
;
Obesity/mortality*
;
Overweight/mortality*
9.Visualized Analysis of Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Chronic Refractory Wounds in the Recent 10 Years
Ziyou FENG ; Yu LI ; Yu YAN ; Chengfeng XU ; Xiaoxuan LI ; Wenyi HUANG ; Chenfan YANG ; Genning MAI ; Chun LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(6):1545-1552
Objective To analyze the current status and hotspots of domestic research on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in treating chronic refractory wounds(CRW)over the past 10 years using bibliometric and visualized analysis methods.Methods Articles about TCM therapy for CRW issued by the core periodicals in recent 10 years were retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang and VIP databases.The parameters of annual issued papers,authors,institutions and keywords of the articles were counted with the bibliometric methods.And then the statistical results were presented as visualized graphs by using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software.Results A total of 404 articles were included in the study,and 313 institutions and 1 340 scholars participated in the research on the treatment of CRW with TCM.However,there was limited collaboration between the authors and institutions.Research hotspots mainly focused on the efficacy of TCM external therapies for diabetic foot and pressure ulcers,and discussions on syndrome differentiation,treatment principles and methods about internal treatment by various medical experts.The development and application of Chinese patent medicines,exploration of TCM medication patterns,and the evidence-based medical research on TCM are future research trends in the treatment of CRW with TCM.Conclusion Research on TCM treatment of CRW has attracted significant attention in recent years,but academic barriers exist between the authors and institutions.In the future,it is necessary to promote multicenter research collaboration,strengthen the exploration of experiences in acupoint selection,and conduct higher-level research,thus to provide more compelling evidence and enhance the efficacy of TCM in treating CRW.
10.Therapeutic efficacy and its mechanism of methylprednisolone on smoke inhalation-induced acute lung injury in rats
Hu-Ming LI ; Xu-Xin CHEN ; Yong-Qun LI ; Chun-Yang ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zhi-Hai HAN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(7):890-896
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of different doses of methylprednisolone(MP)on smoke inhalation-induced acute lung injury(SI-ALI)in rats,and to explore the changes in the expression of aquaporins(AQPs)and the underlying mechanisms for alleviating lung injury.Methods A total of 86 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into five groups:control group(n=6),smoke inhalation injury(SI)group(n=20),low-dose MP group(LMP,SI+0.4 mg/kg MP,n=20),medium-dose MP group(MMP,SI+4 mg/kg MP,n=20),and high-dose MP group(HMP,SI+40 mg/kg MP,n=20).A model of smoke inhalation-induced lung injury was established.The survival status of the rats in each group was monitored.Lung tissues were collected 24 hours after injury to determine the wet-to-dry(W/D)ratio of the lung tissues,arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2),and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6.The degree of lung injury was evaluated using HE staining,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in the lung tissues were detected.Results Compared with control group,the survival rate of the rats in SI group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with SI group,the survival rates of the rats in MMP and HMP groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the PaO2 of the Rats in SI group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the wet-to-dry(W/D)ratio and lung injury scores were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with SI group,the PaO2 of the rats in LMP,MMP,and HMP groups(P<0.05)was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the lung W/D ratio and injury scores in MMP and HMP groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).ELISA results showed that compared with control group,the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in SI group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with SI group,the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in MMP and HMP groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).HE staining revealed that the alveolar structure of the rats in SI group was severely damaged;compared with SI group,the damage to the alveolar structure in MMP and HMP groups was alleviated.Real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis results showed that compared with control group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in lung tissues in SI group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);however,compared with SI group,these levels in LMP,MMP,and HMP groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions Smoke inhalation can induce acute lung injury in rats and down-regulate the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in the lung tissues.Methylprednisolone can alleviate pulmonary edema and tissue damage in rats caused by smoke inhalation,and induce the up-regulation of the expression of AQP1 and AQP5.


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