1.Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Baicalin in Rat Model of COPD via NF-κB/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Feixue HU ; Genfa WANG ; Guoliang DONG ; Jun XIONG ; Xinzhong KANG ; Zhongjuan PENG ; Caiqiu SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):117-126
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of baicalin for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats and decipher the molecular mechanisms via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups: normal control, COPD model, low-dose baicalin, medium-dose baicalin, high-dose baicalin, and budesonide. The normal control group received no treatment, whereas COPD was modeled in other groups with a combined modeling approach involving intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The model establishment was evaluated through behavioral observation combined with pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in the lung. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β)], reactive oxygen species (ROS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-22 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IL-10, IL-22, and TNF-α in the lung tissue were measured via ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and Nrf2. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), NF-κB, HDAC2, and Nrf2 in the lung tissue. Additionally, real-time PCR was conducted to assess the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, and NF-κB in the lung tissue. ResultsHE staining revealed that the airway mucosal epithelium in the COPD model group appeared extensive shedding, structural disorganization, and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells within the lumen. And goblet cells showed compensatory proliferation with pathological hypertrophy of mucus glands. In contrast, inflammatory infiltration and alveolar overdistension were significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups. The COPD model group exhibited mucus plug formation within the terminal bronchioles, along with fibrotic narrowing of the bronchial wall. Moreover, the smooth muscle bundles of the bronchial wall were hypertrophic, with concomitant collagen deposition. Progressive dissolution and rupture of alveolar septa were observed, leading to the formation of abnormally enlarged air-filled cavities. However, the bronchial wall structure was largely restored with only mild thickening of the smooth muscle layer in the baicalin groups. Compared with the COPD model group, the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups showed declined ROS and VEGF levels (P<0.05), and all the baicalin groups presented lowered levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, TGF-β, and TNF-α and elevated level of IL-10 (P<0.05). Baicalin upregulated the protein levels of HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, PI3K, and Akt, while suppressing the protein level of NF-κB (P<0.05). Furthermore, baicalin increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GR while down-regulating the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.05). ConclusionBaicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor HDAC2 and activating the antioxidant factor Nrf2, thereby alleviating the lung tissue damage in COPD rats. The therapeutic effects of baicalin may be closely associated with its regulatory role in the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
2.Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Baicalin in Rat Model of COPD via NF-κB/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Feixue HU ; Genfa WANG ; Guoliang DONG ; Jun XIONG ; Xinzhong KANG ; Zhongjuan PENG ; Caiqiu SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):117-126
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of baicalin for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats and decipher the molecular mechanisms via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups: normal control, COPD model, low-dose baicalin, medium-dose baicalin, high-dose baicalin, and budesonide. The normal control group received no treatment, whereas COPD was modeled in other groups with a combined modeling approach involving intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The model establishment was evaluated through behavioral observation combined with pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in the lung. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β)], reactive oxygen species (ROS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-22 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IL-10, IL-22, and TNF-α in the lung tissue were measured via ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and Nrf2. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), NF-κB, HDAC2, and Nrf2 in the lung tissue. Additionally, real-time PCR was conducted to assess the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, and NF-κB in the lung tissue. ResultsHE staining revealed that the airway mucosal epithelium in the COPD model group appeared extensive shedding, structural disorganization, and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells within the lumen. And goblet cells showed compensatory proliferation with pathological hypertrophy of mucus glands. In contrast, inflammatory infiltration and alveolar overdistension were significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups. The COPD model group exhibited mucus plug formation within the terminal bronchioles, along with fibrotic narrowing of the bronchial wall. Moreover, the smooth muscle bundles of the bronchial wall were hypertrophic, with concomitant collagen deposition. Progressive dissolution and rupture of alveolar septa were observed, leading to the formation of abnormally enlarged air-filled cavities. However, the bronchial wall structure was largely restored with only mild thickening of the smooth muscle layer in the baicalin groups. Compared with the COPD model group, the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups showed declined ROS and VEGF levels (P<0.05), and all the baicalin groups presented lowered levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, TGF-β, and TNF-α and elevated level of IL-10 (P<0.05). Baicalin upregulated the protein levels of HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, PI3K, and Akt, while suppressing the protein level of NF-κB (P<0.05). Furthermore, baicalin increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GR while down-regulating the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.05). ConclusionBaicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor HDAC2 and activating the antioxidant factor Nrf2, thereby alleviating the lung tissue damage in COPD rats. The therapeutic effects of baicalin may be closely associated with its regulatory role in the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
3.Simultaneous determination of three constituents in Chunyang Zhengqi capsules by HPLC
Yi WEN ; Lulu MENG ; Baoyi WANG ; Feixue WEI ; Peng DENG ; Rongying LIU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2024;42(2):78-81
Objective To establish method for simultaneous determination of hesperidin, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol in Chunyang Zhengqi capsules by high performance liquid chromatography. Methods The column was Agilent PorosheⅡ 120 EC-C18 (4.6 mm×150 mm, 4 μm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water with gradient elution. The column temperature was 35℃. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and the detection wavelength was 284 nm. Results The methodological verification showed that hesperidin, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol had a good linearity (r≥0.999 9). The precisions were less than 2.0%. The average recovery was between 98.0% and 101.9%. The stability and repeatability of RSD were also less than 3.0%, which met the requirements of method validation. Conclusion The method is simple, stable, reproducible and accurate, which could be used to the quality control of Chunyang Zhengqi capsules.
4.Research Progress in Tong Du Tiao Shen of Mental Disorders
Jiahao ZHANG ; Cheng CHI ; Mengyue FAN ; Lin YAN ; Feixue WANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Yongjun CHEN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(1):61-68
Mental disorders are characterized by disturbances in behavior,volition,emotion,and cognition and are considered emotional diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.Acupuncture is one of the most widely used complementary alternative therapies for the treatment of mental disorders.Recently,there has been growing interest in the use of the Tong Du Tiao Shen(Dredging Du meridian to regulate the spirit)as a primary treatment.However,a comprehensive summary of the establishment and related acupuncture methods of Tong Du Tiao Shen is lacking.This paper aims to address this gap by exploring the origin and development of Tong Du Tiao Shen,its application in treating mental disorders,and the modern biological mechanisms involved.Ultimately,this paper seeks to expand the clinical application of Tong Du Tiao Shen acupuncture and provide a scientific basis for future research in this field.
5.Trend of blood pressure among children and adolescents and its correlation with pubertal development and nutritional status
HAO Zhihong, WEI Feixue, LI Qiaofeng, HAN Weifang, WANG Li
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(12):1770-1774
Objective:
To explore the trend of blood pressure among children and adolescents and its correlation with pubertal development and nutritional status, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention strategies targeting early stage hypertension.
Methods:
In September 2023, a multi stage random cluster sampling was used to select 20 241 primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years from 57 schools in Jinzhong, whose height, weight, and blood pressure were measured. The Chi square test for trend was used to analyze the change trend in the detection rate of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in children and adolescents with the development of adolescence puberty, and the Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between elevated blood pressure and hypertension and nutritional status.
Results:
The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was 17.3% among children and adolescents. The middle and late pubertal groups had the highest prevalence (23.2% and 24.3%), followed by the early pubertal group (19.5%) and the prepuberty group (10.8%) ( χ 2 trend =372.86, P <0.01). The prevalence of hypertension was 14.8%, with the highest prevalence reported in the late pubertal group (22.4%), followed by the middle pubertal group (18.9%), and the early pubertal (13.0%)/prepuberty (12.2%) groups ( χ 2 trend =175.43, P <0.01). The prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension increased with pubertal development, regardless of gender, region, or nutritional status ( χ 2 trend =9.21-771.90, P <0.01). Overweight and obesity were influencing factors of elevated blood pressure and hypertension among children and adolescents during all stages of pubertal development ( OR =1.2-2.8, P <0.01).
Conclusion
The prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension among children and adolescents during pubertal development is high, showing an increasing trend with pubertal development.
6.Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced mitochondrial dysfunction inhibits proinflammatory cytokine secretion and enhances cytotoxicity in mouse macrophages in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent way.
Haitao YANG ; Yan WANG ; Hui FAN ; Feixue LIU ; Huimiao FENG ; Xueqing LI ; Mingyi CHU ; Enzhuang PAN ; Daoyang TENG ; Huizhen CHEN ; Jingquan DONG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2023;24(11):1027-1036
随着铜绿假单胞菌(铜绿)的耐药性逐年增强,铜绿感染已经成为公共医疗卫生的重点关注问题。线粒体自噬及其介导的线粒体功能障碍在多种细菌感染中已被报道,但线粒体功能障碍在宿主调控铜绿感染中的作用尚不明确。因此,本研究建立铜绿刺激小鼠巨噬细胞感染模型和小鼠急性铜绿感染模型,探讨铜绿是否通过诱导线粒体自噬改变线粒体功能,进而影响宿主免疫炎症反应和细胞毒性,并通过监测生存率和肺组织病理学变化进一步确定线粒体自噬在小鼠铜绿体内感染模型中的作用。结果表明,铜绿引起小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞线粒体功能障碍,并通过线粒体自噬途径清除铜绿刺激引起的活性氧(ROS)累积,从而抑制铜绿引起的促炎性细胞因子分泌并增强细胞毒性。体内实验进一步确认线粒体自噬在铜绿体内感染中的作用。
Mice
;
Animals
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
;
Macrophages/metabolism*
;
Mitochondria
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Cytokines/metabolism*
7.Efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy after 24 h from ischemic stroke onset in patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke
Shuang QI ; Chao LI ; Mingchao SHI ; Feixue YUE ; Kangjia SONG ; Wenbin ZHANG ; Shouchun WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(11):1311-1316
Objective:To explore the effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment (EVT) for patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke with symptom onset exceeding 24 h.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, data were extracted from patients who underwent endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke at the First Hospital of Jilin University from February 2019 to April 2022. A total of 569 patients were included, with a mean age of 63 (54-70) years. Among them, 398 (69.9%) were male. The patients were divided into two groups based on symptom onset time:>24 h group and≤24 h group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the patients in a 1︰1 ratio between the>24 h group and the≤24 h group. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of symptom onset time on outcome events.Results:Before PSM, compared with≤24 h group, the>24 h group had a younger age [56 (48, 64) vs. 64 (55, 70), Z=-3. 60, P<0.001]; lower proportion of prior atrial fibrillation [1.8% (1/57) vs. 21.1% (108/512), χ2=12.39, P<0.001]; lower proportion of wake-up stroke [7.0% (4/57) vs. 27.7% (142/512), χ2=11.54, P<0.001]; lower baseline NIHSS score [11.0 (7.5, 14.0) vs. 13.0 (10.0, 16.0), Z=-3.22, P<0.001]; and a higher American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology(ASITN/SIR) grading ( P<0.001). After PSM, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score≤2 at 90 days after surgery between the two groups (before matching: 42.0% vs. 40.4%, OR=0.745, 95% CI 0.407-1.362, P=0.339; after matching: 51.8% vs. 39.3%, OR=0.511, 95% CI 0.212-1.236, P=0.136). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of any safety outcomes between the>24 h group and the≤24 h group. Conclusion:For patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke with symptom onset exceeding 24 h, EVT is feasible after strict radiological screening and has similar safety and effectiveness as for patients with symptom onset under 24 h.
8.Safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment in patients with acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke over 24 hours from onset:a propensity score matched cohort study
Feixue YUE ; Chao LI ; Kangjia SONG ; Mingchao SHI ; Chao LI ; Jie ZHOU ; Wenbin ZHANG ; Shouchun WANG
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2023;20(12):816-824,836
Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment(EVT)in patients with acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke over 24 hours from onset.Methods This retrospective study retrospectively analyzed patients with acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke who received EVT in the Department of Neurology,First Hospital of Jilin University from June 2018 to June 2023.The patient's gender,age and other related demographic information were collected.The related examination results of patients were collected,including admission rapid blood glucose,admission systolic blood pressure,admission diastolic blood pressure.The related risk factors of stroke of patients were collected,including previous transient ischemic attack,hypertension,diabetes,atrial fibrillation,and history of drinking,smoking history,etc.;other related indicators were collected,including intravenous thrombolysis,tandem lesions,awakening stroke,baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,and baseline posterior circulation Alberta stroke program early CT score(pc-ASPECTS),collateral circulation grade of American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology(ASITN/SIR),onset to EVT puncture time,the trial of org 10172 in acute stroke treatment(TOAST)classification and outcome indicators(efficacy indicators included 90 days Modified Rankin scale[mRS]score≤3 after EVT,successful recanalization[extended cerebral infarction thrombolytic recanalization class 2b-3];security indexes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage[sICH]within 24 h after EVT and 90 d mortality after EVT).According to the symptom onset to EVT puncture time,the patients were divided into two groups:≤24h group and>24h group.The patients with onset time>24 h and those with onset time≤24 h were matched at a ratio of 1:1 by propensity score matching(PSM).All patients were divided into poor prognosis group(mRS score>3)and good prognosis group(mRS score ≤ 3)according to mRS score at 90 days after EVT.Using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of onset time on clinical outcomes at 90 days after EVT.Results A total of 366 patients were enrolled in this study,including 284 males and 82 females.The median age was 61(55,68)years old,ranging from 25 to 91 years old.Before PSM,the>24h group had lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation(2.02%[2/99]vs.9.74%[26/267],P=0.025)and lower baseline NIHSS score(10.0[5.0,19.0]vs.14.0[10.0,35.0],P<0.01)and higher ASTIN/SIR collateral grade(P=0.018).After PSM,we did not find statistical difference between the two groups in baseline characteristics except for the onset to EVT puncture time.Before and after PSM,there was no significant difference in efficacy and safety between the onset time>24 h group and the onset time ≤24h group.Univariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension(OR,0.613,95%CI 0.391-0.942,P=0.025),intravenous thrombolysis(OR,3.235,95%CI 1.316-9.237,P=0.010),baseline NIHSS score(OR,0.975,95%CI 0.957-0.988,P<0.01),baseline pc-ASPECTS(OR,1.281,95%CI 1.101-1.482,P=0.001)and sICH within 24 h after EVT(OR,0.070,95%CI 0.000-0.330,P<0.01)were significantly correlated with prognosis.Gender,age,hypertension,baseline NIHSS score,intravenous thrombolysis,baseline pc-ASPECTS,ASTIN/SIR collateral grade,onset time>24 h and sICH within 24 h after EVT were included in the multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis.The multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the onset time>24 h was not associated with poor prognosis 90 d after EVT(aOR,1.635,95%CI 0.936-2.893,P=0.087).Conclusion EVT for acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke more than 24 hours after onset is feasible under strict imaging screening,and its safety and efficacy are similar to those in patients with onset under 24 hours.
9.Ameliorative effect of scutellarin on acute alcohol brain injury in mice.
Tianmeng ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Hui FAN ; Qiankun YANG ; Xiao ZHANG ; Feixue LIU ; Xin FENG ; Yi CHEN ; Daoyang TENG ; Panpan ZHAO ; Jingquan DONG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2022;23(3):258-264
Drinking culture has high significance in both China and the world, whether in the entertainment sector or in social occasions; according to the World Health Organization's 2018 Global Alcohol and Health Report, about 3 million people died from excessive drinking in 2016, accounting for 5.3% of the total global deaths that year. Oxidative stress and inflammation are the most common pathological phenomena caused by alcohol abuse (Snyder et al., 2017). Scutellarin, a kind of flavonoid, is one of the main active ingredients extracted from breviscapine. It exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilation effects, and has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases and alcoholic liver injury. Although scutellarin can effectively alleviate multi-target organ injury induced by different forms of stimulation, its protective effect on alcoholic brain injury has not been well-defined. Therefore, the present study established an acute alcohol mice brain injury model to explore the effect of scutellarin on acute alcoholic brain injury. The study was carried out based on the targets of oxidative stress and inflammation, which is of great significance for the targeted therapy of clinical alcohol diseases.
Animals
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Apigenin/therapeutic use*
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Brain Injuries/drug therapy*
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Glucuronates/therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Mice
;
Oxidative Stress
10.Effect of interlimb-coordinated training on pulmonary function in patients with early primary Parkinson's disease
Jieping WANG ; Juan PENG ; Feixue ZHANG ; Bishuang FAN ; Fangyuan XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2022;28(8):966-971
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of interlimb-coordinated training on pulmonary function in patients with early primary Parkinson's disease. MethodsFrom February, 2021 to February, 2022, 60 patients with primary Parkinson's disease in Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were divided into control group (n = 30) and experimental group (n = 30) according to the management, who accepted medicine and medicine combined with interlimb-coordinated training, for twelve weeks, respectively. Before and after treatment, the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum expiratory flow (PEF) and vital capacity (VC) were measured with pulmonary function instrument, while the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak power (WRpeak) were measured with Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET), and the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured with respiratory driving instrument. ResultsAfter treatment, FEV1, FVC, PEF, VC, VO2peak, AT, WRpeak, MIP and MEP increased in the experimental group (t > 2.087, P < 0.05), and they were more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.079, P < 0.05). ConclusionInterlimb-coordinated training could improve the pulmonary function, aerobic exercise ability and respiratory muscle strength of patients with early primary Parkinson's disease.


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