1.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
2.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
3.Application of percutaneous coronary intraluminal shock wave balloon catheter angioplasty in calcified coronary nodules
Hao JIANG ; Zhi WANG ; Zhen-tao SHI ; Min SUN ; Shi-jie FANG ; Qiang TANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(5):260-265
Objective To evaluate the effect of Intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)in the treatment of calcified nodules,and to observe the presence of coronary dissection after IVL treatment.Methods A total of 106 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(coronary heart disease)admitted to the cardiovascular Department of Shougang Hospital,Peking University from March 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.A total of 106 patients with moderate to severe stenosis accompanied by calcification as detected by coronary angiography were treated with IVL after intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)examination.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether there were calcified nodules in the coronary lesions:39 cases in the calcified nodules group and 67 cases in the non-calcified nodules group.The occurrence of coronary dissection during surgery was observed between the two groups,and other perioperative related complications and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)within 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)were compared between the two groups.Results The levels of renal insufficiency(25.6%vs.9.0%,P=0.021)and creatinine[(119.71±134.75)μmol/L vs.(71.82±16.53)μmol/L,P=0.033]in the calcified nodule group were higher than those in the non-calcified nodule group,the difference was statistically significant,and there was no difference in other baseline data.The target vessels in the calcified nodule group were mainly left anterior descending branch and right coronary artery,while those in the non-calcified nodule group were mainly left anterior descending branch,with few circumflex branches in both groups,and there was statistical significance in the distribution of target vessels in the left anterior descending branch and right coronary artery between the two groups(P=0.020).In terms of eccentric calcification(P=0.048)and asymmetric calcification(48.7%vs.28.4%,P=0.035)between the two groups,the calcified nodule group was higher than the non-calcified nodule group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).In terms of whether more than 20 pulses were needed and whether there was slippage during IVL,the calcified nodule group was higher than the non-calcified nodule group,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.022).The success rate of interventional therapy was 100%in both groups.After IVL treatment,the calcified nodule group was higher than the non-calcified nodule group in terms of the occurrence of coronary artery dissection,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.009).The MACE of the two groups within 1 month after PCI was slightly higher in the calcified nodule group than in the non-calcified nodule group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.235).Conclusions IVL is feasible and effective for the treatment of calcified coronary nodules.However,in the course of treatment,the occurrence of coronary dissection should be vigilant,identified as early as possible,and treated in time.
4.Effect of 3D laparoscopic radical prostatectomy on urinary control and sexual function of patients with prostate cancer
Jie XIE ; Zhen-jia DONG ; Qiang-dong WANG ; Yao YAN ; Xu XIAO
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(8):703-708
Objective:To investigate the effects of 3 D laparoscopic radical resection prostatectomy(LRP)on urinary control and sexual function of patients with prostatic cancer.Methods:A total of 268 patients who were treated with LRP in the Fifth People's Hospital of Huai an City from January 2019 to May 2022 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to surgical methods,with 134 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were treated with traditional LRP,and the 3D LRP was used in the observa-tion group.The clinical effects of the two groups were compared.Results:The patients in observation group had less blood loss([135.62±13.58]mL vs[143.18±14.89]mL)and shorter indwelling catheter time([8.26±1.47]d vs[9.78±1.73]d)compared with control group,but the operation time([160.52±10.78]min vs[154.47±10.41]min)was longer than that in the control group(P<0.05).The recovery of sexual function and urinary control in the observation group was better than that in the con-trol group after 3,6 and 12 months of the surgery(P<0.05).After one month of surgery,the scores of ICIQ-SF and 1 h urine pad test were lower than those of the control group.The EPIC-UIN score([72.63±6.85]points vs[67.15±5.09]points)of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The patients in the observation group had lower level of residual urine volume([60.26±6.63]mL vs[76.89±7.89]mL),higher maximum urine flow rate([7.52±0.46]mL/s vs[6.17±0.43]mL/s)and detrusor pressure([85.19±7.18]mL vs[76.29±6.85]mL)at maximum urine flow rate compared with the control group(P<0.05).There was no difference in the incidence of complications between the observation group and the control group(5.97%vs 8.27%,P>0.05).The recurrence rate of tumor 3 years after operation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(11.94%vs 29.10%,x2=12.102,P<0.05).Conclusion:3D LRP has obvious advantages in surgical clarity and preci-sion,which reduces the risk of postoperative complications and improves urinary control ability and sexual function of patients.
5.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
6.Liraglutide may alleviate acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing autophagy
Guo-jing XING ; Wen-bin LI ; Long-long LUO ; Li-fei WANG ; Yuan DENG ; Zhen WANG ; Zhao-jie ZHANG ; Xiao-hui YU ; Jiu-cong ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1867-1875
Aim To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide(LIRA)on acetaminophen(APAP)-in-duced hepatotoxicity at the in vivo level and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Control,LIRA(200 μg·kg-1),APAP(500 mg·kg-1),LIRA+APAP,LIRA+APAP+3-methylade-nine(3-MA,30 mg·kg-1)groups,with eight mice in each group.The mice were administered for three con-secutive days,and the materials were taken after 24 h.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were recorded,and liver morphology was ob-served.Serum ALT and AST levels,as well as SOD ac-tivity,MDA,and GSH content in liver homogenates,were measured using biochemical assay kits.The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA.Liver pathological changes were assessed by HE staining,while mitochon-drial and autophagosome structures in liver tissues were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The number of PCNA-positive cells in liver tissues was e-valuated using immunohistochemical staining.The pro-tein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ,p62,Bax,Bcl-2,PC-NA,and CyclinD1 in liver tissues were determined by Western blot.Results LIRA pretreatment can im-prove the general condition of mice with acetamino-phen-induced liver injury(AILI),reduce serum ALT and AST levels,and effectively ameliorate the appear-ance and morphology of the liver as well as the patho-logical damage to liver tissue.Simultaneously,the lev-els of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1βare significantly decreased;SOD activity and GSH con-tent are significantly increased,while MDA content is significantly reduced.Transmission electron microsco-py observations reveal the presence of numerous auto-phagosomes in the cytoplasm of liver tissue.Immuno-histochemical staining results indicate a significant in-crease in the number of PCNA-positive cells.Further-more,the expression of LC3Ⅱ,Bcl-2,PCNA,and Cy-clinD1 proteins in liver tissue is significantly upregulat-ed,while the expression of p62 and Bax proteins is significantly downregulated.However,after interven-tion with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the aforemen-tioned protective effects of LIRA are significantly.Conclusions LIRA pretreatment can significantly im-prove liver injury in AILI mice.Its protective mecha-nism may be related to enhancing autophagy in hepato-cytes,thereby reducing oxidative stress,inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of AILI mice.
7.Genomic characterization of a case of enterovirus D68 infection in a child from Tongzhou District, Beijing City
Bojun ZHEN ; Ping ZHANG ; Xiaochen GUO ; Jing ZHANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Xiang GAO ; Fang WANG ; Jie LI ; Lin ZOU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(7):1108-1112
A throat swab sample from a pediatric case in Tongzhou District, Beijing was identified as enterovirus; the patient was a 1-year-and-8-month-old male sporadic case. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a viral genome length of 7 436 bp. BLAST alignment confirmed the serotype as EV-D68. Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome indicated that this strain belongs to the B3 clade, showing closer genetic proximity to the 2018 Shanghai strain MW697453 with 99.53% whole-genome nucleotide homology. Genetic and amino acid variation analysis demonstrated that the B3 subclade to which this strain belongs exhibits a nucleotide deletion at positions 718–726, differing from deletion sites observed in other B3 clade strains. A key neuropathogenic amino acid site, T650A, was found to have undergone mutation. Recombination analysis confirmed no cross-clade recombination events in this strain. This study conducted genetic characterization of the strain's evolutionary relationship with EV-D68 strains from different regions and years in China, providing data support for formulating prevention and control measures against EV-D68 infection.
8.Anterior versus posterior selective fusion for Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: the evolution of coronal imbalance
Yu WANG ; Yinyu FANG ; Jie LI ; Kiram ABDUKAHAR· ; Zongshan HU ; Bin WANG ; Zhen LIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Yong QIU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(9):561-570
Objective:To investigate the effect of anterior and posterior selective fusion strategy on evolution of coronal pattern in patients with Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and whether upper end vertebra (UEV)-1 strategy in anterior surgery would have an effect on postoperative coronal balance.Methods:A total of 108 Lenke 5C AIS patients with at least 2 years follow-up who underwent anterior or posterior selective thoracolumbar fusion surgery from January 2005 to December 2020 were enrolled, with 51 patients in the anterior group and 57 patients in the posterior group. The patients were categorized into three groups (type A, C 7PL-CSVL<20 mm; type B, C 7PL-CSVL ≥20 mm with C 7PL toward the concave side of the main curve; and type C, C 7PL-CSVL≥20 mm with C 7PL toward the convex side of the main curve) to investigate the evolution of coronal balance of each preoperative coronal pattern at the anterior and posterior groups. Parameters such as thoracolumbar Cobb angle, rate of coronal imbalance, and SRS-22 score were recorded at preoperative, 1 week postoperatively, and final follow-up in both groups. Results:The differences of basic date between the two groups were not statistically significant except for the fusion level (5.2±0.7 vs. 5.6±0.9, t=2.497, P=0.014). In the anterior group, a total of 27 patients with preoperative type A, 23 patients with preoperative type A maintained type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and 2 of them were converted to type C at the final follow-up. Four patients with preoperative type A converted to type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them returned to type A at the final follow-up. A total of 23 patients with preoperative type C, four patients with preoperative type C maintained type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and one of them maintained type C at the final follow-up. Nineteen patients with preoperative type C converted to type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them maintained type A at the final follow-up. In the posterior group, a total of 26 patients with preoperative type A, 22 patients with preoperative type A maintained type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and only 2 of these patients converted to type C at the final follow-up. Four of the preoperative type A patients converted to type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them returned to type A at the final follow-up. A total of 29 patients with preoperative type C, thirteen patients with preoperative type C maintained type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and 7 of them maintained type C at the last follow-up. Sixteen patients with preoperative type C converted to type A at the 1 week postoperatively, of whom two converted to type C at the final follow-up. For patients with preoperative type C the rate of coronal imbalance was significantly lower in the anterior group than in the posterior group both in the immediate postoperative period (17% vs. 45%, P<0.05) and at the final follow-up (4% vs. 31%, P=0.038). The rate of coronal imbalance at final follow-up was significantly lower in the UEV-1 group than in the UEV group in the posterior approach (3% vs. 38%, P<0.05), and there was no difference between the two groups in the anterior approach. There were no significant differences in radiographic parameters and SRS-22 scores between the two groups, except for the thoracic Cobb angle at the final follow-up, which was greater in the anterior group than in the posterior group at the final follow-up (19.5±7.3 vs.16.4±5.6, t=2.427, P=0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that anterior surgery and Risser were risk factors for postoperative CIB of preoperative type C ( OR=21.138, P=0.030 and OR=0.406, P=0.048 respectively). Conclusion:For patients with preoperative type A, both anterior and posterior procedures lead to a satisfactory reconstruction of coronal balance. In patients with preoperative type C, anterior surgery acquire a better reconstruction of coronal balance. The strategy of proximal UEV-1 was similar to the strategy of UEV in terms of restoring coronary balance in anterior approach and it was unable to lower the rate of postoperative coronal imbalance. In contrast, UEV-1 strategy in posterior surgery was effective in reducing the rate of postoperative coronal imbalance.
9.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
10.Modified Ditan Tang Regulates Biorhythm-related Genes in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Zhiwen PANG ; Yu LIU ; Nan SONG ; Jie WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Zhen HUA ; Yupeng PEI ; Qun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):115-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Ditan tang on genes related to the transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) of biorhythm in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsSixty-five healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned into blank (n=20), model (n=15), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.68, 5.36, and 10.72 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) modified Ditan tang (n=10) groups. Other groups except the blank group were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The modified Ditan tang groups were treated with the decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and the blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline from the 9th week for 4 weeks. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. TG and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) assay kits were used to measure the levels of TG and NEFA in the liver. The pathological changes in the hypothalamus and liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the lipid deposition in the liver was observed by oil red O staining. The levels of brain-muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1/ARNTL) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of BMAL1, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), period circadian clock 2 (PER2), and cryptochrome1 (Cry1) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT (P<0.01) and a lowered level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, elevated levels of TG and NEFA in the liver (P<0.01), pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, and a large number of vacuoles in the brain area. In addition, the model group showed lipid deposition in the liver, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. Compared with the model group, all the three modified Ditan tang groups showed lowered levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, and AST (P<0.05, P<0.01) and an elevated level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, and lowered levels of TG and NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver. Furthermore, the three groups showed alleviated pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, reduced lipid deposition in the liver, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. ConclusionModified Ditan tang can reduce lipid deposition in the liver and regulate the expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, Cry1, and PER2 in the TTFL of NAFLD rats.

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