1.Exploring Therapeutic Mechanism of Bushao Tiaozhi Capsules for Hyperlipidemia Based on Untargeted Metabolomics and Targeted Bile Acid Metabolomics
Wanchun CHEN ; Guanlin XIAO ; Quan LIU ; Wensen LU ; Yunhui OUYANG ; Juan JIANG ; Shenqi CAI ; Xiaoli BI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):127-135
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Bushao Tiaozhi capsules (BSTZ) ameliorate hyperlipidemia based on untargeted metabolomics and targeted bile acid quantification. MethodsA rat model of hyperlipidemia was established with a high-fat diet. The rats were randomized into five groups: normal control, model, atorvastatin calcium (1.8 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (2.88 g·kg-1) and high-dose (5.76 g·kg-1) BSTZ groups. All treatments were administered for four consecutive weeks. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by biochemical assays. Hepatic histopathological changes were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and lipid droplet deposition was assessed by oil red O staining. Integrated untargeted metabolomics and targeted bile acid quantification were employed to investigate BSTZ-induced alterations in hepatic metabolic profile and bile acid profile. Additionally, correlation analyses were conducted between differential bile acids and lipid parameters to identify key bile acids. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited elevated serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels (P<0.01) and a reduced HDL-C level (P<0.01), along with marked hepatic steatosis and extensive lipid droplet deposition. Compared with the model group, all BSTZ treatment groups showed decreased TC, TG, and LDL-C levels (P<0.01) and increased HDL-C levels (P<0.01), accompanied by notably alleviated hepatic steatosis and lipid deposition. Untargeted metabolomics and targeted bile acid quantification revealed that BSTZ significantly remodeled the hepatic bile acid profile, characterized by elevated levels of secondary bile acids (DCA, HDCA, TDCA, and TLCA) and reduced levels of primary bile acids (CDCA and TCDCA). Correlation analyses further demonstrated strong associations between differential bile acids and lipid parameters: elevated secondary bile acids were negatively correlated with serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels, whereas primary bile acids were positively correlated with these parameters. ConclusionBSTZ can ameliorate dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation in hyperlipidemic rats by regulating hepatic bile acid homeostasis, which provides metabolic clues for subsequent mechanism validation.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail