Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and non-specific inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Huanglian Ganjiang decoction (HGD), derived from ancient book Beiji Qianjin Yao Fang, has demonstrated efficacy in treating UC patients traditionally. Previous research established that the compatibility of cold herb Coptidis Rhizoma + Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (CP) and hot herb Angelicae Sinensis Radix + Zingiberis Rhizoma (AZ) in HGD synergistically improved colitis mice. This study investigated the compatibility mechanisms through which CP and AZ regulated inflammatory balance in colitis mice. The experimental colitis model was established by administering 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to mice for 7 days, followed by CP, AZ and CPAZ treatment for an additional 7 days. M1/M2 macrophage polarization levels, glucose metabolites levels and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) expression were analyzed using flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence and targeted glucose metabolomics. The findings indicated that CP inhibited M1 macrophage polarization, decreased inflammatory metabolites associated with tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and suppressed PDK4 expression and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) (Ser-293) phosphorylation level. AZ enhanced M2 macrophage polarization, increased lactate axis metabolite lactate levels, and upregulated PDK4 expression and PDH (Ser-293) phosphorylation level. TCA cycle blocker AG-221 and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PDK4 partially negated CP's inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization. Lactate axis antagonist oxamate and PDK4 inhibitor dichloroacetate (DCA) partially reduced AZ's activation of M2 macrophage polarization. In conclusion, the compatibility of CP and AZ synergistically alleviated colitis in mice through M1/M2 macrophage polarization balance via PDK4-mediated glucose metabolism reprogramming. Specifically, CP reduced M1 macrophage polarization by restoration of TCA cycle via PDK4 inhibition, while AZ increased M2 macrophage polarization through activation of PDK4/lactate axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Mice ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase/genetics* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Colitis/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Colitis, Ulcerative/drug therapy* ; Metabolic Reprogramming

Objective To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise preconditioning on cardiac function in mice bearing subcutaneous transplantable tumors and explore the potential molecular mechanisms.Methods Twenty-four 6-week-old male BALB/c mice were selected.After an acclimation period,they were randomly assigned to a control group(C),a tumor group(M)and an exercise-preconditioning plus tumor group(EM),each of eight.The EM group underwent a 4-week aerobic exercise interven-tion.Meanwhile,the C group received 0.2 ml of physiological saline injected subcutaneously on the dorsum of the proximal left hind limb,while the M and EM groups were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of a CT26.WT colon carcinoma cell suspension.Three weeks after inoculation,cardiac function was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography.Hearts were then harvested for hematoxylin-eo-sin staining to evaluate cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area(CSA),while Western blot was performed to determine the expression of proteins related to myocardial protein synthesis and degradation.Results(1)Compared with group C,group M exhibited significantly lower body weight and heart weight(P<0.05),and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),fractional shortening(FS)and stroke vol-ume(SV)(P<0.05),as well as cardiomyocyte CSA(P<0.01)and total mTOR(P<0.01),phosphory-lated mTOR(p-mTOR)(P<0.01)and the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio(P<0.05),but a significant increase in the expression of the muscle ring finger 1(MuRF-1)and the muscle atrophy F-box(MAFbx/Atrog-in-1)(P<0.01 and P<0.05,respectively).(2)Compared with group M,group EM showed significant-ly greater heart weight(P<0.05);increased left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole(LVPWd),LVEF,FS and SV(P<0.05),as well as the larger cardiomyocyte CSA and total mTOR,p-mTOR and the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio(P<0.05),but reduced MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 expression(P<0.05).Conclusion Four weeks of aerobic exercise preconditioning ameliorated myocardial atrophy and improved systolic cardiac function in mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted CT26 tumors.Such beneficial effects may be associated with exercise-induced down regulation of the protein degradation mediators MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 and up regulation of total mTOR and p-mTOR.

Objective To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and different exercise habits on skeletal muscle function and the possible molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer-loaded mice.Methods Thirty-five 5-week-old BABL/c male mice were acclimatized to feeding for 1 week and then divided randomly into the following groups:control(D),tumor(M),exercise preconditioning(QAM),lifetime exercise(AM),and exercise(HAM)groups(n=7 mice per group).Mice in the QAM and AM groups underwent aerobic exercise regimen 1 from weeks 2～6.At week 7,mice in the experimental groups received 0.2 mL of CT26 colon cancer cell suspension subcutaneously in the dorsal aspect of the left hind limb,while control mice received 0.2 mL of saline at the corresponding site.Mice in the AM and HAM groups were subjected to aerobic exercise regimen 2 for weeks 7～9.The general status and skeletal muscle mass and function were monitored in all mice throughout the experiments.After completion of the experiment,samples were collected and the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers(CSA)was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining and expression levels of proteins related to synthesis and catabolism of the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by Western Blot.Results(1)The weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly lower in mice in the M,QAM,and HAM groups compared with group D,and was significantly higher in AM mice compared with M,QAM,and HAM mice.(2)Grip strength,endurance,skeletal muscle circumference,and CSA were significantly lower in group D mice compared with the other groups,and was most enhanced in group HAM.Endurance and CSA were consistently enhanced in groups QAM,AM,and HAM.(3)Muscle RING-finger protein-1(MuRF1)expression levels were significantly lower in groups M,QAM,AM,and HAM than in group D,significantly lower in groups AM and HAM than in group M,and significantly lower in group HAM than in group QAM.(4)Fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5(FNDC5)expression levels were significantly lower in group M than in groups D and QAM.(5)Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha expression levels were significantly lower in the QAM and HAM groups compared with group M.(6)Expression levels of phospho(p)-AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/AMPK and p-AMPK were significantly higher in group QAM than in groups D and M,p-AMPK expression significantly lower in groups AM and HAM was than in group QAM,and AMPK expression was significantly lower in groups QAM,AM,and HAM than in group D.Conclusions Exercise preconditioning and continuous aerobic exercise can improve skeletal muscle mass and function in CT26 colon cancer-loaded mice by activating AMPK phosphorylation to stimulate skeletal muscle secretion of FNDC5,thereby regulating the expression of MuRF1 protein.

Objective To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and different exercise habits on skeletal muscle function and the possible molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer-loaded mice.Methods Thirty-five 5-week-old BABL/c male mice were acclimatized to feeding for 1 week and then divided randomly into the following groups:control(D),tumor(M),exercise preconditioning(QAM),lifetime exercise(AM),and exercise(HAM)groups(n=7 mice per group).Mice in the QAM and AM groups underwent aerobic exercise regimen 1 from weeks 2～6.At week 7,mice in the experimental groups received 0.2 mL of CT26 colon cancer cell suspension subcutaneously in the dorsal aspect of the left hind limb,while control mice received 0.2 mL of saline at the corresponding site.Mice in the AM and HAM groups were subjected to aerobic exercise regimen 2 for weeks 7～9.The general status and skeletal muscle mass and function were monitored in all mice throughout the experiments.After completion of the experiment,samples were collected and the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers(CSA)was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining and expression levels of proteins related to synthesis and catabolism of the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by Western Blot.Results(1)The weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly lower in mice in the M,QAM,and HAM groups compared with group D,and was significantly higher in AM mice compared with M,QAM,and HAM mice.(2)Grip strength,endurance,skeletal muscle circumference,and CSA were significantly lower in group D mice compared with the other groups,and was most enhanced in group HAM.Endurance and CSA were consistently enhanced in groups QAM,AM,and HAM.(3)Muscle RING-finger protein-1(MuRF1)expression levels were significantly lower in groups M,QAM,AM,and HAM than in group D,significantly lower in groups AM and HAM than in group M,and significantly lower in group HAM than in group QAM.(4)Fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5(FNDC5)expression levels were significantly lower in group M than in groups D and QAM.(5)Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha expression levels were significantly lower in the QAM and HAM groups compared with group M.(6)Expression levels of phospho(p)-AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/AMPK and p-AMPK were significantly higher in group QAM than in groups D and M,p-AMPK expression significantly lower in groups AM and HAM was than in group QAM,and AMPK expression was significantly lower in groups QAM,AM,and HAM than in group D.Conclusions Exercise preconditioning and continuous aerobic exercise can improve skeletal muscle mass and function in CT26 colon cancer-loaded mice by activating AMPK phosphorylation to stimulate skeletal muscle secretion of FNDC5,thereby regulating the expression of MuRF1 protein.

Objective To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise preconditioning on cardiac function in mice bearing subcutaneous transplantable tumors and explore the potential molecular mechanisms.Methods Twenty-four 6-week-old male BALB/c mice were selected.After an acclimation period,they were randomly assigned to a control group(C),a tumor group(M)and an exercise-preconditioning plus tumor group(EM),each of eight.The EM group underwent a 4-week aerobic exercise interven-tion.Meanwhile,the C group received 0.2 ml of physiological saline injected subcutaneously on the dorsum of the proximal left hind limb,while the M and EM groups were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of a CT26.WT colon carcinoma cell suspension.Three weeks after inoculation,cardiac function was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography.Hearts were then harvested for hematoxylin-eo-sin staining to evaluate cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area(CSA),while Western blot was performed to determine the expression of proteins related to myocardial protein synthesis and degradation.Results(1)Compared with group C,group M exhibited significantly lower body weight and heart weight(P<0.05),and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),fractional shortening(FS)and stroke vol-ume(SV)(P<0.05),as well as cardiomyocyte CSA(P<0.01)and total mTOR(P<0.01),phosphory-lated mTOR(p-mTOR)(P<0.01)and the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio(P<0.05),but a significant increase in the expression of the muscle ring finger 1(MuRF-1)and the muscle atrophy F-box(MAFbx/Atrog-in-1)(P<0.01 and P<0.05,respectively).(2)Compared with group M,group EM showed significant-ly greater heart weight(P<0.05);increased left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole(LVPWd),LVEF,FS and SV(P<0.05),as well as the larger cardiomyocyte CSA and total mTOR,p-mTOR and the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio(P<0.05),but reduced MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 expression(P<0.05).Conclusion Four weeks of aerobic exercise preconditioning ameliorated myocardial atrophy and improved systolic cardiac function in mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted CT26 tumors.Such beneficial effects may be associated with exercise-induced down regulation of the protein degradation mediators MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1 and up regulation of total mTOR and p-mTOR.

Objective To explore the possible mechanisms of myocardial injury induced by simulated weightlessness in space flight and the recovery of myocardium in rats by aerobic exercise intervention.Methods The body weight of rats was weighed using an electronic balance;the cardiac function indexes of rats in each group were detected using echocardiography and isolated cardiac perfusion;and the expression of proteins related to the AMPK/ULK1/Beclin1 pathway in the myocardial tissues of rats in each group was detected using Western Blot.Results(1)When compared with the C1 group,the T1 group not statistically significant in body weight(P?>?0.05),and the wet weight of the flounder muscle,the wet weight-to-weight ratio of the flounder muscle,and the heart weight were all significantly decreased(P??0.05).After 4 weeks of aerobic exercise,when compared to group C2,group R showed a significant rise in the expression of AMPK and ULK1(P??0.05),and a rise in the expression of Beclin1,but not statistically significant(P?>?0.05);and group A showed a slight increase in the expression of AMPK,ULK1 and Beclin1 expression decreased slightly but not statistically significant(P?>?0.05),p-AMPK expression decreased significantly(P??0.05),and a significant decrease in the expression of ULK1(P??0.05);the expression of p-ULK1 decreased significantly(P?

Objective To evaluate the methodological quality and measurement characteristics of health literacy assessment tools for diabetic patients and to provide references for medical staff to select the best assessment tools.Methods The PubMed,Embase,CINAHL,Web of Science,CNKI,VIP database,Wanfang Data,and Chinese Biomedical Database were searched from inception to December 31,2022.Data were screened and extracted independently by 2 researchers.The consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments(COSMIN)system evaluation guidelines were spontaneously used to evaluate the included assessment tools.Finally,recommendations were made.Results A total of 15 studies were included,involving 12 health literacy assessment tools for diabetic patients.Among them,KHLS-DM and DNT-15 have satisfactory content validity and internal consistency and are recommended as Grade A.HLSQ-3 has high-quality evidence to suggest that its internal consistency is"inadequate"and recommended as Grade C,while the other 9 scales are recommended as Grade B for content validity or internal consistency of uncertain/inadequate evidence at or above the intermediate level.Conclusion KHLS-DM can evaluate written literacy,numeracy,and critical literacy of patients,and each measurement characteristic has been comprehensively evaluated with high reliability and validity,so it is recommended to be applied first.DNT-15 focuses on evaluating the numeracy of patients,which can be used in combination with other scales to evaluate health literacy of patients more comprehensively.