OBJECTIVES: To investigate the regulatory role of the NLRP3 signaling pathway in hepatocyte pyroptosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) under hypoxia. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized equally into hypoxic control (A), hypoxic NASH model (B), hypoxic NASH+NLRP3 inhibitor (C), and hypoxic NASH+caspase-1 inhibitor (D) groups. In groups B-D, the mice were fed a methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet under hypoxic conditions (to simulate a 5000 m altitude) for 6 weeks; the mice in groups C and D received intraperitoneal injections of the respective inhibitors every other day. RESULTS: Compared with those in group A, the mice in group B showed significantly elevated serum levels of FBG, TC, TG, ALT and AST, increased liver lipid content, inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, and enhanced hepatic expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and GSDMD proteins, with obvious swelling, cristae breakage, vacuolization, and outer membrane disruption of the mitochondria, ribosome loss in the cytoplasm, destruction of the nuclear membrane, and pathological changes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Treatment with NLRP3 inhibitor and caspase-1 inhibitor both significantly lowered serum levels of TC, TG, ALT and AST (but without significantly affecting FBG) in the mouse models, and reduced liver lipid content, inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition, and expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD and IL-1β. The treatments also significantly improved pathological changes in the mitochondria, ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum in liver tissues of the mice. CONCLUSIONS NLRP3 signaling pathway plays a key role in promoting hepatocyte pyroptosis in NASH mice under hypoxic condition, and inhibiting this pathway can effectively reduce liver inflammation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for NASH treatment.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Hepatocytes/pathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Mice ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Yijinjing in the treatment of elderly sarcopenia and its effect on chro-nic inflammatory response in patients,and to explore the Yijinjing exercise prescription suitable for elderly patients with sarcopenia.METHODS A total of 120 elderly patients with sarcopenia admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and a Yijinjing group,with 60 cases in each group.The control group received health education and dietary guidance,and the Yijinjing group received Yijinjing exercises on the basis of the intervention of the control group.The changes in skeletal muscle mass,upper and lower limb muscle strength,muscle thickness,muscle cross-sectional area,physical fitness and chronic inflammation level were observed in the two groups before and after the intervention.RESULTS After intervention,the skeletal muscle mass,grip strength,30 s sit-stand test times,rectus femoris thickness and cross-sectional area,vastus intermedius thickness,and physical fit-ness assessment of the patients in the Yijinjing group were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators after intervention were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);the serum TNF-α and IL-18 levels in the Yi-jinjing group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the indicators after intervention were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);there was no statistically significant change in the biceps brachii thickness and serum IL-6 level in the Yijinjing group compared with those before treatment(P>0.05);there was no significant correlation between the bi-ceps brachii thickness and grip strength after Yijinjing intervention,r=0.139 8,P>0.05;there was a significant negative correlation between the TNF-α level and grip strength after Yijinjing intervention,r=-0.313 8,P<0.05.CONCLUSION Yijinjing exercises can improve muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with sarcopenia,and improve the physical fitness of patients,which may be related to improving the chronic inflammatory state of the body.

Objective:To explore the binding characteristics of N, N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-(2- 18F-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)-5, 7-dimethylpyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)acetamide ( 18F-DPA-714) and ( R)- N-sec-butyl- N-methyl-4-(3-( 18F-trifluoromethyl)phenyl)quinazoline-2-carboxamide ( 18F-TFQC) to the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the 18×10 3 translocator protein (TSPO), and to evaluate the imaging efficacy and feasibility of those 2 molecular probes in neuroinflammation rat models. Methods:To test the selectivity of 18F-DPA-714 and 18F-TFQC for TSPO polymorphisms, the wild-type (high-affinity binding, HAB) and mutant (low-affinity binding, LAB) sequences of the human TSPO gene were transfected into 293T cells respectively. A competitive inhibition assay was carried out with N-methyl- N-(1-methylpropyl)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-isoquinoline carboxamide (PK11195) as an inhibitor to determine the binding affinities of 2 probes to TSPO polymorphisms. Rat neuroinflammation models ( n=6) were established using lipopolysaccharide. Three days after modeling, small animal PET/CT imaging was performed using 18F-DPA-714 and 18F-TFQC, respectively, to observe and compare the uptake of the tracers, and the ratio of SUV mean of the right striatum to SUV mean of the left striatum (SUVR) was calculated. After the imaging, the expression and distribution of microglia and TSPO were detected by tissue immunofluorescence. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the SUVR data of different groups. Results:The inhibition constants ( Ki) of 18F-TFQC on 293T-LAB and 293T-HAB cells were 23.51 and 14.60 nmol/L, respectively, with a Ki LAB/ Ki HAB ratio of 1.61, indicating low sensitivity to TSPO single nucleotide polymorphisms. The Ki of 18F-DPA-714 for binding to 293T-LAB and 293T-HAB cells were 45.23 and 6.47 nmol/L, respectively, with a Ki LAB/ Ki HAB ratio of 6.99. Small animal PET/CT imaging demonstrated that specifically uptake of both probes could be found in neuroinflammatory lesions. The overall SUVR of 18F-DPA-714 in the lesions within 60minutes was slightly higher than that of 18F-TFQC, but no significant difference was observed ( F values: inter-group 0.40, time effect 0.30, cross-effect 0.03; all P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with 18F-DPA-714, 18F-TFQC is less sensitive to TSPO gene polymorphisms, thus being more suitable for clinical application and promotion. It holds promise for the early identification of neuroinflammation and the efficacy monitoring of anti-inflammatory drug treatments.

Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

OBJECTIVE To develop a highly sensitive and specific quantitative real-time poly-merase chain reaction(qPCR)method for detecting the VGM-R02b(a gene therapy drug for glutaric acidemia type Ⅰ)gene in cynomolgus monkeys and analyze the biological distribution of VGM-R02b.METHODS A standard curve was constructed using the VGM-R02b standard plasmid[an adeno-associ-ated virus serotype 9(AAV9)capsid]on a qPCR platform.The detection method was optimized and validated for key parameters,including the quantitative range,accuracy,precision,dilution linearity,selectivity,specificity,stability,and parallelism.The established method was used to determine the target gene of VGM-R02b in the blood,brain,stomach,heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,thymus,and duodenum of cynomolgus monkeys on day 29(D29)and D92 after a single,unilateral intraventricular injection of VGM-R02b.The biodistribution of VGM-R02b in cynomolgus monkeys was analyzed.RESULTS A qPCR method for quantifying the VGM-R02b target gene in cynomolgus monkeys was established and validated.The standard curve demonstrated a quantitative range of 5.00×109 to 5.00×10^1 copies·μg-1 DNA,with excellent precision,accuracy,dilution linearity,selectivity,and specificity.The target gene in tissues remained stable after being stored at room temperature for 4 h,-15 to-25℃ for 9 d,-60 to-80℃ for 90 d and after five freeze-thaw cycles.Similarly,the target gene in whole blood remained stable after being stored at room temperature for 4 h,-15 to-25℃ for 93 d,-60 to-80℃ for 93 d and after five freeze-thaw cycles.Extracted nucleic acid samples also showed stability after being stored at room temperature for 4.25 h,2-8℃ for 24.16 h,-60 to-80℃ for 109 d and after five freeze-thaw cycles.The method was also applied to evaluate the biological distribution of the target gene in cynomolgus monkeys.In the control group,the target gene was undetectable on D29 and D92 post-administration,but in the drug administration group,the target gene was distributed across the tissues,with higher concen-trations observed in the brain,liver,spleen,and spinal cord,and there were no significant differences in the target gene content across the tissues between D29 and D92.CONCLUSION The established qPCR method is robust,reliable and suitable for determination of VGM-R02b target gene in cynomolgus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of farrerol against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced acute lung injury(ALI)in mice and the mechanisms.METHODS ①ICR rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,model group and model+farrerol group,with 6 rats in each.The normal control group and model group were given an equal amount of normal saline intragaically for 4 d.The model+farrerol group was given 20 and 40 mg·kg-1 intragaically for 4 d,while the normal control group was given an equal amount of normal saline intragaically on the 5th day.The model group and model+farrerol group were injected with 3 mg·kg-1 LPS solution for 24 h to construct an animal model of ALI.② Mouse alveolar macrophages(MH-S)were cultured and randomly divided into the cell control group,model group and model+farrerol group.Cell control group(conventional culture for 24 h),model group(100 μg·L-1 LPS combined with 40 μg·L-1 IFN-γ co-incubation for 24 h),model+farrerol group(5,10 and 20 μmol·L-1 farrerol pretreatment of MH-S cells for 24 h,and then 100 μg·L-1 LPS combined with 40 μg·L-1 IFN-γ co-incubation for 24 h),an inflammatory cell model was established in vitro.HE was used to observe the pathological changes of the lungs.The wet-dry weight ratio(W/D)was used to assess pulmonary edema while Evans blue dye(EBD)was used to detect pulmonary vascular permea-bility.The activity of myeloperoxidase(MPO)was detected by colorimetry.The number of white blood cells in BALF was counted with a blood cell counting plate.Cell proliferation assay(CCK-8)was used to determine the cell viability.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),IL-6 and IL-10 in lung tissue,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and cell supernatants were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The protein levels of inducable nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),arginase 1(ARG1),phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase1(caspase1)and gasdermin family member(GSDMD-N terminal)in lung tissue and MH-S cells were detected with Western blot.RESULTS ① Compared with the normal control group,the histopathological changes,Injury score,W/D ratio,pulmonary vascular permeability,MPO content,leukocyte count,pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6 levels,iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSDMD-N-terminal protein expression in lung tissues were signifi-cantly increased in the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01)while the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and ARG1 were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the Injury score,W/D ratio,pulmonary vascular permeability,leukocyte number,MPO content,proinflammatory factor content and iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSDMD-N-terminal protein levels were significantly decreased in the model+farrerol group(P<0.05,P<0.01)while the levels of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and ARG1 protein were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).② The results of in vitro experiments showed that compared with the cell control group,the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 and the expression levels of iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSD-MD-N-terminal protein were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and that the content of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and expression level of ARG1 protein were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of proinflammatory factor and the expressions of iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSDMD-N protein in the model+farrerol group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01)while the expression levels of IL-10 and ARG1 protein were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Farrerol can alleviate acute lung injury induced by LPS in mice,possibly by inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and activation of NLRP3 inflammatome,alleviating pyroptosis of cells and regulating macrophage polarization.

OBJECTIVE To develop a highly sensitive and specific quantitative real-time poly-merase chain reaction(qPCR)method for detecting the VGM-R02b(a gene therapy drug for glutaric acidemia type Ⅰ)gene in cynomolgus monkeys and analyze the biological distribution of VGM-R02b.METHODS A standard curve was constructed using the VGM-R02b standard plasmid[an adeno-associ-ated virus serotype 9(AAV9)capsid]on a qPCR platform.The detection method was optimized and validated for key parameters,including the quantitative range,accuracy,precision,dilution linearity,selectivity,specificity,stability,and parallelism.The established method was used to determine the target gene of VGM-R02b in the blood,brain,stomach,heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,thymus,and duodenum of cynomolgus monkeys on day 29(D29)and D92 after a single,unilateral intraventricular injection of VGM-R02b.The biodistribution of VGM-R02b in cynomolgus monkeys was analyzed.RESULTS A qPCR method for quantifying the VGM-R02b target gene in cynomolgus monkeys was established and validated.The standard curve demonstrated a quantitative range of 5.00×109 to 5.00×10^1 copies·μg-1 DNA,with excellent precision,accuracy,dilution linearity,selectivity,and specificity.The target gene in tissues remained stable after being stored at room temperature for 4 h,-15 to-25℃ for 9 d,-60 to-80℃ for 90 d and after five freeze-thaw cycles.Similarly,the target gene in whole blood remained stable after being stored at room temperature for 4 h,-15 to-25℃ for 93 d,-60 to-80℃ for 93 d and after five freeze-thaw cycles.Extracted nucleic acid samples also showed stability after being stored at room temperature for 4.25 h,2-8℃ for 24.16 h,-60 to-80℃ for 109 d and after five freeze-thaw cycles.The method was also applied to evaluate the biological distribution of the target gene in cynomolgus monkeys.In the control group,the target gene was undetectable on D29 and D92 post-administration,but in the drug administration group,the target gene was distributed across the tissues,with higher concen-trations observed in the brain,liver,spleen,and spinal cord,and there were no significant differences in the target gene content across the tissues between D29 and D92.CONCLUSION The established qPCR method is robust,reliable and suitable for determination of VGM-R02b target gene in cynomolgus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of farrerol against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced acute lung injury(ALI)in mice and the mechanisms.METHODS ①ICR rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,model group and model+farrerol group,with 6 rats in each.The normal control group and model group were given an equal amount of normal saline intragaically for 4 d.The model+farrerol group was given 20 and 40 mg·kg-1 intragaically for 4 d,while the normal control group was given an equal amount of normal saline intragaically on the 5th day.The model group and model+farrerol group were injected with 3 mg·kg-1 LPS solution for 24 h to construct an animal model of ALI.② Mouse alveolar macrophages(MH-S)were cultured and randomly divided into the cell control group,model group and model+farrerol group.Cell control group(conventional culture for 24 h),model group(100 μg·L-1 LPS combined with 40 μg·L-1 IFN-γ co-incubation for 24 h),model+farrerol group(5,10 and 20 μmol·L-1 farrerol pretreatment of MH-S cells for 24 h,and then 100 μg·L-1 LPS combined with 40 μg·L-1 IFN-γ co-incubation for 24 h),an inflammatory cell model was established in vitro.HE was used to observe the pathological changes of the lungs.The wet-dry weight ratio(W/D)was used to assess pulmonary edema while Evans blue dye(EBD)was used to detect pulmonary vascular permea-bility.The activity of myeloperoxidase(MPO)was detected by colorimetry.The number of white blood cells in BALF was counted with a blood cell counting plate.Cell proliferation assay(CCK-8)was used to determine the cell viability.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),IL-6 and IL-10 in lung tissue,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and cell supernatants were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The protein levels of inducable nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),arginase 1(ARG1),phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase1(caspase1)and gasdermin family member(GSDMD-N terminal)in lung tissue and MH-S cells were detected with Western blot.RESULTS ① Compared with the normal control group,the histopathological changes,Injury score,W/D ratio,pulmonary vascular permeability,MPO content,leukocyte count,pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6 levels,iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSDMD-N-terminal protein expression in lung tissues were signifi-cantly increased in the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01)while the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and ARG1 were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the Injury score,W/D ratio,pulmonary vascular permeability,leukocyte number,MPO content,proinflammatory factor content and iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSDMD-N-terminal protein levels were significantly decreased in the model+farrerol group(P<0.05,P<0.01)while the levels of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and ARG1 protein were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).② The results of in vitro experiments showed that compared with the cell control group,the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 and the expression levels of iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSD-MD-N-terminal protein were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and that the content of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and expression level of ARG1 protein were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of proinflammatory factor and the expressions of iNOS,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase1 and GSDMD-N protein in the model+farrerol group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01)while the expression levels of IL-10 and ARG1 protein were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Farrerol can alleviate acute lung injury induced by LPS in mice,possibly by inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and activation of NLRP3 inflammatome,alleviating pyroptosis of cells and regulating macrophage polarization.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),as the most common type of liver cancer,poses a significant threat to global public health due to its high incidence and mortality rates.This paper delves into the etiology,pathogenesis,and syndrome differentiation of liver cancer from the perspective of"dispersing qi and fortifying the body resistance",based on the clinical experience of renowned traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)practitioner,Prof.Changquan Ling.Prof.Ling believes that the development of liver cancer is closely related to the disruption of liver qi flow,the accumulation of blood stasis over time,and the generation of toxin from long-term stagnation,accompanied by pathological changes such as imbalance of yin and yang,deficiency of the body's vital qi and accumulation of pathogenic factors,and internal blazing of cancer toxins.In terms of treatment,he emphasizes the principles of dispersing qi and fortifying the body resistance,addressing both the root cause and symptoms.This is achieved by regulating the functions of viscera,improving the stagnation of qi flow,and supplemented by methods such as clearing heat and detoxifying,and softening and dispersing hard masses,aiming to break the vicious cycle of qi stagnation,deficiency of vital qi,and pathogenic factor generation,thereby promoting the recovery from the disease.Through detailed analysis of clinical cases,this paper demonstrates Prof.Ling's unique insights and significant efficacy in treating liver cancer through"dispersing qi"to"fortify the body resistance",ultimately achieving"tumor suppression".This provides new references and perspectives for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer in TCM.