OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Huayu jiedu formula in regulating inflammatory injury in chronic kidney disease （CKD）. METHODS Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham surgery group （10 rats） and a modeling group （40 rats）. The CKD model was replicated in the modeling group by unilateral ureteral obstruction surgery. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into model group， esaxerenone group （positive control）， and TCM low- and high-dose groups， with 10 rats in each group. The Esaxerenone group was given 1 mg/kg of esaxerenone， while the TCM low- and high-dose groups were given 13.7 and 27.4 g/kg of Huayu jiedu formula respectively， the sham surgery group and model group were given an equal volume of physiological saline， all groups were intervened continuously for 14 days. Hematoxylin eosin and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in rat kidney tissue. Conventional biochemical methods were used to detect serum urea （SUr）， serum creatinine （SCr）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels； enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）； immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α（PGC-1α） ， mitochondrial transcription factor A （TFAM）， absent in melanoma 2（AIM2）， caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD）， IL-1β and IL-18 in renal tissue； real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of AIM2. RESULTS Compared with the sham surgery group， the renal tissue of the model group showed pathological changes such as glomerular deformation and destruction， severe tubular dilation， and increased deposition of blue fibrin； the levels of SUr， SCr， MDA， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α，the protein expression of AIM2， GSDMD， caspase-1， IL-1β， IL-18 ， and the mRNA expression of AIM2 were significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.01）； the levels of SOD， the protein expression of PGC-1α， TFAM were significantly reduced or down-regulated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed improvement in the above symptoms and most indicators in rats. CONCLUSIONS Huayu jiedu formula may improve renal function， alleviate renal inflammatory damage and pyroptosis， and exert renal protective effects by regulating the AIM2 pyroptosis pathway.

Objective·To investigate the effects of liraglutide on liver fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and the underlying mechanisms.Methods·Twenty 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal chow diet group(Chow group)and a methionine-choline-deficient(MCD)diet group(MCD group),with 10 mice per group.The MCD diet was used to induce NAFLD.Each group was further divided into two subgroups,resulting in four subgroups:Chow+saline,Chow+liraglutide,MCD+saline,and MCD+liraglutide group.After daily intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide(400 μg/kg)or an equivalent volume of saline for 4 weeks,an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed.Serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TAG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured.Liver tissues were collected post-euthanasia to assess TAG content.Histopathological changes,lipid deposition,and fibrosis were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Oil Red O staining,and Masson staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ α(COL1A),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1),transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),SMAD3,and phosphorylated SMAD3(pSMAD3).Results·The IPGTT revealed that liraglutide intervention reduced blood glucose levels at 15,30,and 60 min,with a decreased area under the curve(AUC)(both P<0.05).Biochemical analysis showed that liraglutide lowered AST and ALT levels(both P<0.001),increased TC and HDL-C levels(both P<0.05),but had no significant effect on TAG or LDL-C in MCD mice.HE staining and Oil Red O staining revealed reduced lipid droplets,ballooning degeneration,and inflammatory infiltration in hepatocytes after liraglutide treatment.Masson staining indicated decreased collagen fiber deposition in the liver.qPCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated upregulated expression of α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3,alongside downregulated MMP9 in MCD mice.Liraglutide reversed these changes,lowering α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3 expression while increasing MMP9 expression.Conclusion·Liraglutide ameliorates liver injury,lipid deposition,and fibrosis in NAFLD mice,through modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway and regulating fibrosis-associated protein expression.

Objective:To investigate the role of Platycoside E(PE)in a mouse model of bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis by targeting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway to suppress macrophage M2 polarization.Methods:Forty BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to five experimental groups:blank control group,model group,pirfenidone(PDF)experimental group,PE high-dose group and PE low-dose experimental group,each with eight mice.After adaptive feeding,except for blank control group,all mice were used in the model of BLM nasal drip-induced pulmonary fibrosis.HE and Masson staining were employed to examine pathological alterations of lung tissue in mice;ELISA to detect concentrations of IL-10,IL-4,IL-17A and TNF-α in mice serum;expressions of CD206 and CD11b in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence.Western blot to detect protein expressions of JAK1,p-JAK1,STAT6 and p-STAT6 in lung tissues.Results:Compared with blank control group,tissues in model group showed distorted structure and thickened alveolar walls,fibrotic foci were formed,and alveolar inflammatory fraction and collagen volume fraction were significantly increased(P<0.01).ELISA showed that concentrations of IL-4,IL-10,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly reduced compared to those of model group.Immunofluorescence showed that fluorescence intensity of CD11b and CD206 treated by PE were decreased significantly.Western blot showed that expressions of JAK1,p-JAK,STAT6 and p-STAT6 proteins were significantly elevated in lung tissues of model mice.Following PE treatment,levels of the above proteins were diminished.Conclusion:PE can effectively improve lung fibrosis induced by BLM in mice,the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway to block macrophage M2 polarization.

Objective:To investigate the role of Platycoside E(PE)in a mouse model of bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis by targeting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway to suppress macrophage M2 polarization.Methods:Forty BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to five experimental groups:blank control group,model group,pirfenidone(PDF)experimental group,PE high-dose group and PE low-dose experimental group,each with eight mice.After adaptive feeding,except for blank control group,all mice were used in the model of BLM nasal drip-induced pulmonary fibrosis.HE and Masson staining were employed to examine pathological alterations of lung tissue in mice;ELISA to detect concentrations of IL-10,IL-4,IL-17A and TNF-α in mice serum;expressions of CD206 and CD11b in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence.Western blot to detect protein expressions of JAK1,p-JAK1,STAT6 and p-STAT6 in lung tissues.Results:Compared with blank control group,tissues in model group showed distorted structure and thickened alveolar walls,fibrotic foci were formed,and alveolar inflammatory fraction and collagen volume fraction were significantly increased(P<0.01).ELISA showed that concentrations of IL-4,IL-10,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly reduced compared to those of model group.Immunofluorescence showed that fluorescence intensity of CD11b and CD206 treated by PE were decreased significantly.Western blot showed that expressions of JAK1,p-JAK,STAT6 and p-STAT6 proteins were significantly elevated in lung tissues of model mice.Following PE treatment,levels of the above proteins were diminished.Conclusion:PE can effectively improve lung fibrosis induced by BLM in mice,the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway to block macrophage M2 polarization.

Objective·To investigate the effects of liraglutide on liver fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and the underlying mechanisms.Methods·Twenty 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal chow diet group(Chow group)and a methionine-choline-deficient(MCD)diet group(MCD group),with 10 mice per group.The MCD diet was used to induce NAFLD.Each group was further divided into two subgroups,resulting in four subgroups:Chow+saline,Chow+liraglutide,MCD+saline,and MCD+liraglutide group.After daily intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide(400 μg/kg)or an equivalent volume of saline for 4 weeks,an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed.Serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TAG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured.Liver tissues were collected post-euthanasia to assess TAG content.Histopathological changes,lipid deposition,and fibrosis were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Oil Red O staining,and Masson staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ α(COL1A),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1),transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),SMAD3,and phosphorylated SMAD3(pSMAD3).Results·The IPGTT revealed that liraglutide intervention reduced blood glucose levels at 15,30,and 60 min,with a decreased area under the curve(AUC)(both P<0.05).Biochemical analysis showed that liraglutide lowered AST and ALT levels(both P<0.001),increased TC and HDL-C levels(both P<0.05),but had no significant effect on TAG or LDL-C in MCD mice.HE staining and Oil Red O staining revealed reduced lipid droplets,ballooning degeneration,and inflammatory infiltration in hepatocytes after liraglutide treatment.Masson staining indicated decreased collagen fiber deposition in the liver.qPCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated upregulated expression of α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3,alongside downregulated MMP9 in MCD mice.Liraglutide reversed these changes,lowering α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3 expression while increasing MMP9 expression.Conclusion·Liraglutide ameliorates liver injury,lipid deposition,and fibrosis in NAFLD mice,through modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway and regulating fibrosis-associated protein expression.

Objective:To study on anti-osteoporosis effect of different extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata on zebrafish.Methods:Three kinds extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata, anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides and the removal of anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides were prepared. Prednisolone was used to construct the osteoporosis model of young zebrafish. Normal control group, model group, disodium etidronate group and low-, medium- and high-dosage groups of different extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata were set up. Alizarin red staining was used to investigate the mineralized skull area and bone density of juvenile zebrafish in each group. Alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) kits were used to detect the activity of osteoblast and osteoclast enzymes in zebra larvae. The qRT PCR method was used to detect the mRNA expressions of osteoporosis related genes Runx2b, col1a2, sparc, and vdrb in each group of zebrafish.Results:Compared with model group, the skull mineralized area and bone mineral density in different extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata significantly increased ( P<0.01). Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata, anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides and the removal of anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides (medium- and high-dosage) could significantly increase the AKP activity of zebrafish ( P<0.01), and lower the TRAP activity of zebrafish ( P<0.01); the mRNA expression levels of Runx2b, col1a2, sparc and vdrb in juvenile zebrafish osteoporosis model were significantly up-regulated by different extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata. ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata, Anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides and the removal of anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides show better anti-osteoporosis effects. The comparison of the efficacy of three extracts from Polygonum multiflorum shows that in addition to anthraquinone and stilbene glycosides, other chemical components of Polygonum multiflorum have anti-osteoporosis effects.

Objective:To study the protective effects and mechanism of Melastoma sanguineum Sims fruit extract (MSE) on chronic chemical liver injury induced by ethanol, acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride in mice; To discuss it mechanism.Methods:Totally 96 mice were divided into normal control group, ethanol model group, ethanol+bifendate control group and ethanol+MSE high-, medium- and low-dosage groups, APAP model group, APAP+bifendate control group and APAP+MSE high-, medium- and low-dosage groups, CCl 4 model group, CCl 4+bifendate control group and CCl 4+MSE high-, medium- and low-dosage groups, with 6 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, the other groups were respectively prepared for the ethanol model, the APAP model and the CCl 4 model. The mice in the MSE high-, medium- and low-dosage groups were intragastrically administrated with 10, 5 and 2.5 g/kg of MSE, respectively; the bifendate control group was intraperitoneally injected with 15 mg/ml bifendate solution at 75 mg/kg; the normal control group was intraperitoneally injected with equal volume of normal saline/peanut oil solution once a day for 25 consecutive days. The levels of GPT, GOT and total bilirubin (TBIL) in serum were detected; the activities of SOD and GSH-Px and the content of MDA in liver tissue were detected; the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were detected by qRT-PCR; the protein expressions of cytochrome P450 CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A in liver tissue were detected by Western blot; the pathological changes of the liver tissue were observed by HE staining. Results:Compared with the corresponding ethanol, APAP and CCl 4 model groups, the serum GPT, GOT and TBIL levels of mice in the ethanol+bifendate control group and ethanol+MSE high- and medium-dosage groups, the APAP+bifendate control group and APAP+MSE high- and medium-dosage groups, and the CCl 4+bifendate control group and CCl 4+MSE high- and medium-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver tissue increased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the MDA level decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased ( P<0.01); the mRNA levels of ADH and ALDH in the ethanol+MSE high-, medium-, and low-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01). Compared with the APAP model group, the expressions of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in the APAP+MSE groups increased ( P<0.01), and the expression of CYP3A protein decreased ( P<0.05); compared with the CCl 4 model group, the expressions of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A proteins in the CCl 4+MSE groups decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:MSE has a protective effect on chronic chemically-induced liver injury induced by ethanol, APAP, and CCl 4 in mice, and its mechanism may be related to antioxidant stress, inhibition of inflammatory response, and regulation of the expression of cytochrome P450-related enzymes.

Objective This study aimed to identify PAX9 variants in non-syndromic tooth agenesis families of Chi-na,as well as to analyze the genotype-phenotype of non-syndromic tooth agenesis caused by PAX9 variants,which can provide a basis for the genetic diagnosis of tooth agenesis.Methods We collected the data of 44 patients with non-syn-dromic oligodontia who underwent treatment at Stomatological Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2018 and 2023.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the peripheral blood of the proband and its core family members,and the variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Pathogenicity analysis and function prediction of the variants were per-formed using bioinformatics tools.The correlation between the genotype of PAX9 variant and its corresponding pheno-type was examined by reviewing 55 publications retrieved from PubMed.The studies involved 232 tooth agenesis pa-tients with PAX9 variants.Results A novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)and a reported PAX9 c.406C>T(p.Gln136*)were identified in two Chinese families.Through bioinformatics analysis and three-dimensional structural mod-eling,we postulated that the frameshift variant was pathogenic.The outcome was the premature cessation of PAX9 pro-tein,which caused severe structural and functional deficiencies.Summarizing the PAX9 genotype-phenotype relationship revealed that patients carrying the PAX9 variant commonly led to loss of the second molars.Conclusion We identified the novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)in a Chinese family of non-syndromic oligodontia,expanding the known variant spectrum of PAX9.The most susceptible tooth position for PAX9 variants of tooth agenesis was the second mo-lars and the deciduous molars during the deciduous dentition.

Gastroesophageal reflux related cough is located in the lung and stomach.The basic pathogenesis is the inversion of stomach qi and the lung loss propagating and descending.In view of the above,based on the theory of"relevance of lung and stomach",this article analyzed the modern mechanism of"relevance of lung and stomach"in gastroesophageal reflux related cough,which included"microinhalation"theory,"esophagus-bronchial reflex"theory,and"airway neurogenic inflammation"theory.This article also put forward the TCM disease name of"gastric cough",and the treatment methods of"simultaneous treatment of lung and stomach"and"treatment of cough from stomach",which would provide new ideas for the theoretical and mechanism research of TCM treatment of gastroesophageal reflux related cough.

Objective To construct a telemedicine-based home care system of palliative care for end-of-life cancer patients,and to evaluate its application effect.Methods The construction of the system was based on the literature research,interview results of the patients and their caregivers,and expert group meeting discussions.From May to August 2023,a total of 88 patients,who were about to be discharged from the palliative care ward of a cancer hospital in Hunan Province,were selected as the study subjects using a convenient sampling method,and then they were divided into an experimental group and a control group according to the order of admission.The experimental group was given home care services based on the system,while the control group was given routine discharge guidance and follow-up visits.The duration of the intervention was 8 weeks.The Chinese version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and the Chinese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 palliative were used to evaluate the symptom burden and quality of life between 2 groups before and after intervention;the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to evaluate the care satisfaction of the experimental group.Results The system of patient side includes 8 main features,namely personal health record establishment,doctor-patient communication,palliative care knowledge library,medication assistance,smart reporting and monitoring,intelligent Q&A,intelligent follow-up,and intelligent forms.The healthcare professional side includes 7 main functions,namely workbench,case management,follow-up management,warning reminder,popularization push,statistical analysis and user management.A total of 67 patients completed the intervention,with 33 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group.The symptom burden of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05);the quality of life in the experimental group was better than that in the control group(P＜0.05);the score of care satisfaction was(59.00±6.66),which indicated a high level of satisfaction.Conclusion The system can reduce the symptom burden and improve the quality of life of end-of-life cancer patients with good practicality