1.Mechanism of Wendantang in Intervention of ApoE-/- Hyperlipidemic Mice Based on Liver Metabolomics
Yun ZHOU ; Songren YU ; Lu ZHANG ; Wenting LIN ; Keming YU ; Min XIA ; Zhijun ZENG ; Yanhua JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):1-9
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of action of Wendantang on ApoE-/- hyperlipidemic mice using non-targeted metabolomics technology. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice served as the normal control group (n=6), and they were fed with regular chow, while male ApoE-/- mice constituted the high-fat group (n=30), and they were fed with a 60% high-fat diet. After 11 weeks of model establishment, the mice in the high-fat group were randomly divided into the model group, simvastatin group (3.3 mg·kg-1), and high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of Wendantang (26, 13, 6.5 g·kg-1, respectively, in terms of crude drug amount), with six mice in each group. The normal control group and the model group were gavaged with an equivalent volume of normal saline, and all groups continued to be fed their respective diets, receiving daily medication for 10 weeks with weekly body weight measurements. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), free fatty acids (NEFA), blood glucose (GLU), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected in the mice. Pathological changes in liver tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed for metabolomic analysis of mouse liver tissue. ResultsCompared to the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased body weight, blood lipid levels, and liver function (P<0.05, P<0.01), with disordered liver tissue structure, swollen hepatocytes, and accompanying vacuolar fatty degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the model group, the simvastatin group and Wendantang groups showed significantly reduced body weight, TG, NEFA, GLU, ALT, and AST levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), with a significant increase in HDL-C levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. The lesion of the liver tissue section was obviously improved after administration, tending towards a normal liver tissue morphology. Analysis of liver metabolites revealed 86 differential metabolites between the normal control group and the model group, with the high-dose group of Wendantang able to regulate 56 of these metabolites. Twenty-two differential metabolites associated with hyperlipidemia were identified, mainly including chenodeoxycholic acid, hyocholic acid, taurine, glycocholic acid, dihydroceramide, hydroxy sphingomyelin C14∶1, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid, enriching 22 metabolic pathways, with 4 being the most significant (P<0.05), namely primary bile acid biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and linoleic acid metabolism pathways. ConclusionWendantang can improve blood lipid levels and liver function in ApoE-/- hyperlipidemic mice, which may be related to the regulation of primary bile acid biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and linoleic acid metabolism pathways.
2.Effect of Berberine-Baicalin Combination on Fecal Microbiota Transplantation-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Due to Internal Accumulation of Dampness-heat in Mice from Perspectives of Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics
Mengjie CHEN ; Yimin LIU ; Yun ZHOU ; Keming YU ; Min XIA ; Hongning LIU ; Yanhua JI ; Zhijun ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):52-64
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which the combination of berberine (BBR) and baicalin (BAI) ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat from the perspectives of gut microbiota and metabolomics. MethodsAntibiotics were used to induce pseudo-sterile mice. Thirty pseudo-sterile mice were randomized into a normal fecal microbiota transplantation group (n=10) and a T2DM (syndrome of internal accumulation of dampness-heat) fecal microbiota transplantation group (n=20). The mice were then administrated with suspensions of fecal microbiota from healthy volunteers and a patient with T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by gavage, respectively. Each mouse received 200 µL suspension every other day for a total of 15 times to reshape the gut microbiota. The T2DM model mice were then assigned into a model group (n=8) and a BBR-BAI group (n=11). BBR was administrated at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1, and BAI was administrated in a ratio of BBR-BAI 10∶1 based on preliminary research findings. The administration lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin (INS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured to evaluate the effects of the BBR-BAI combination on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in T2DM mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the colon tissue. The expression of claudin-1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin in the colon tissue was determined by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to assess the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the colon tissue. The fecal microbiota composition and differential metabolites were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), respectively. ResultsThe BBR-BAI combination lowered the FBG, HbA1c, and INS levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated insulin resistance (P<0.01) in T2DM mice. Additionally, BBR-BAI elevated the levels of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the colon (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that BBR-BAI increased the relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Phascolarctobacterium, and Akkermansia (P<0.05), while significantly decreasing the relative abundance of Alistipes, Odoribacter, and Colidextribacter (P<0.05). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 28 differential metabolites, which were primarily involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and α-linolenic acid metabolism. ConclusionBBR-BAI can ameliorate T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by modulating the relative abundance of various bacterial genera in the gut microbiota and the expression of fecal metabolites.
3.Simultaneous detection of 34 emerging contaminants in tap water by HPLC-MS/MS and health risk assessment
Yixuan CAO ; Ziwei YUAN ; Xiaoxi MU ; Chenshan LV ; Haiyan CUI ; Tao WANG ; Zhiwen WEI ; Zhongbing CHEN ; Hongyan ZOU ; Keming YUN ; Meng HU
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;39(1):31-38
Objective To establish a simultaneous detection approach for 34 emerging contaminants(ECs)in tap water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS).Human health risk assessment was performed according to the detection results from 43 tap water samples.Methods Tap water samples were concentrated and extracted by solid phase extraction,and then blown to near dry by nitrogen at 40℃.The sample extracts were dissolved in methanol-water solution(95:5,VN)to 0.5 mL for analyzing.Agilent Jet Stream Electrospray Ionization(AJS ESI)and the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode were performed for MS to acquire the data of 34 ECs.A database including precursor ion,product ion and retention times was established accordingly.Results The average linear correlation coefficients(r)of 34 kinds of ECs was 0.995 9.The limits of detection were 0.01~0.60 ng/L and the recoveries were between 60.7%and 119.8%.The intra-group precisions were between 0.05%~9.89%and the intra-day precisions were between 0.20%~14.40%for the spiked samples.The method was applied to analyze 43 tap water samples and a total of 15 ECs were detected.According to the results,the detection rate of caffeine was the highest(84%),and the concentration range was ND~74.42 ng/L.Among all the ECs detected,1,2,3-benzotriazole had the highest concentration(ND~361.15 ng/L),where detection rate was 44%.Humans may be exposed to these ECs by drinking the tap water.The human health risk assessments of 12 kinds of ECs were carried out,however,the estimated risk was negligible(risk quotient<0.01).Conclusion The method is simple,highly sensitive and selective,and could meet the detection needs of ECs at trace level in tap water.There was no human health risk posed for ECs identified in 43 tap water samples analyzed by this method.
4.Effects of l-tetrahydropalmatine on different stages of conditioned place preference in ketamine dependent rats and the mechanism of DA
Yan DU ; Xingcui GAO ; Hongliang SU ; Yujin WANG ; Li DU ; Keming YUN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;39(1):50-54
Objective To observe the effects of Levo-tetrahydropalmatine(l-THP)on the expression,regression and relapse of conditioned place preference(CPP)in ketamine induced rats,and to detect the content of dopamine(DA)in the striatum(caudate putamen,CPu)of the rat brain at different time points.Methods Ketamine addiction rat model was established by CPP.The effects of l-THP on the expression,regression and relapse of ketamine induced rat CPP were investigated using CPP score as the index.The content of DA in CPu of rats was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)after ketamine administration and l-THP intervention at 30 min,60 min,90 min,120 min and 150 min.Results It indicated that 1-THP could decrease the expression of CPP in ketamine induced rats,promote the process of CPP resolution and inhibit the process of relapse.In addition,l-THP combined with ketamine administration significantly inhibited the ketamine-induced increase in DA content in the CPu of the rats.Conclusion The mechanism of l-THP inhibiting the reward effect of ketamine may be related to blocking DA receptors and reducing the release of DA neurotransmitters.l-THP has potential implications for the treatment of ketamine addiction.
5.Metabolomics-based screening of biomarkers for fenpropathrin-exposed rats
Qian YANG ; Tao WANG ; Fang GUO ; Yudie NING ; Keming YUN ; Zhiwen WEI
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;39(3):308-314
Objective Metabolomics was used to analyze the changes of metabolites in the plasma of Fenpropathrin-contaminated rats to find potential biomarkers for forensic identification of Fenpropathrin poisoning.Methods SD rats in the two experimental groups were given 20.5 mg/kg and 41 mg/kg doses of fenpropathrin respectively by gavage.The rats in the control group were given equivalent volume of normal saline.The angular vein blood of rats was collected 24 hours after gavage,and endogenous small molecule metabolites in plasma were investigated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-TOF-MS).The data was processed by SIMCA14.1.The differential metabolites in plasma of fenpropathrin-infected rats were screened out according to the Variable Importance in Projection(VIP)and p<0.05 in the OPLS-DA model.Finally,the pathways were analyzed.Results There were significant differences in plasma metabolite levels between the control group and the experimental group,and 17 biomarkers were selected to identify whether the rats had received fenpropathrin,which mainly affected purine metabolism,Alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,arginine biosynthesis,biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and pyrimidine metabolism.Conclusion Fenpropathrin can change the composition of metabolites in rats,and the differential markers screened can provide supportive forensic evidence for cases related to deltamethrin poisoning.
6.The postmortem distribution of bromadiolone and its metabolite-benzylideneacetone in poisoned dogs
Danpin ZHAO ; Zeguo YANG ; Zhiwen WEI ; Shanlin FU ; Liang LIU ; Keming YUN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2017;32(3):294-297
Objective To study the postmortem distribution of Bromadiolone and its metabolite-Benzylideneacetone in dogs and provide an experimental evidence for the sampling of Bromadiolone poisoning cases. Methods The dogs were given 2LD50 and 4LD50 Bromadiolone by intragastric administration. Anatomy was conducted immediately after death and samples of body fluids and viscera (heart blood; peripheral blood, bile, urine, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, urinary bladder, left leg muscle, stomach, stomach contents, pancreas) were collected and detected after the dogs poisoning death. The Bromadiolon and its metabolite-Benzylideneacetone contents in samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Results Hemorrhagic symptoms came out at 3d after Bromadiolone delivery and deaths occurred at (178.40±20.94)h after intoxication. The postmortem distribution of Bromadiolon and its metabolite-Benzylideneacetone in dogs was as following: 2LD50 Bromadiolon: bile>urine, liver, heart, kidney>heart blood, peripheral blood, spleen, lung and so on. Benzylideneacetone: the content in bile, urine, heart blood, peripheral blood, lung, stomach contents are higher. 4LD50 Bromadiolon: bile, urine>liver, peripheral blood>heart blood, stomach contents and others. Benzylideneacetone:contents in bile, urine and lung are higher. Conclusion The postmortem distribution of Bromadiolon and its metabolite-Benzylideneacetone in dogs is uneven, contents in bile, urine, liver, heart blood and peripheral blood are higher, whichare suggested for forensic toxicological analysis in Bromadiolon poisonig case.
7.Study on the toxicokinetics of cymermethrin and its metabolites in dog bile
Feng ZHENG ; Yanan SHEN ; Aiai FAN ; Juan JIA ; Zhiwen WEI ; Yao LIU ; Bin CONG ; Keming YUN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2017;32(6):557-562
Objective To study the toxicokinetics of Cymermethrin and its metabolites in dog bile and provide evidence for forensic cases of identification of Cymermethrin poisoning. Methods 1/4LD50 doses of Cymermethrin were given to 6 male dogs by oral perfusion after the gallbladder fistula surgery on them,and their bile were collected at different time, in which Cymermethrin and its metabolites were extracted by Liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane and detected by HPLC-MS-MS. The qualitative analysis was based on retention time and MRM ions. The quantitative analysis was based on an internal standard method and calibration curve. Toxicokinetics equations of Cymermethrin and its metabolites in the bile were established from the c-t curves which were fitted by the WinNonlin toxicokinetics software meanwhie toxicokinetics parameters were obtained. Results The toxicokinetics of Cymermethrin met first-order dynamic equation. The Tmax of Cymermethrin(CYM), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), 3-(2,2-Dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate (DCVA) respectively were 1.52±0.30,1.29±0.04,0.93±0.41 h ; The Cmax of CYM, 3-PBA, DCVA respectively were 0.38±0.03,7.9±1.32,30.9±16.24 μg/mL ; The T1/2 of CYM, 3-PBA, DCVA respectively were3.93±0.71,1.36±0.11,4.49±2.81 h; Conclusion The toxicokinetics of Cymermethrin in dog bile met first-order dynamic equation ; The toxicokinetics model and parameters of Cymermethrin can provide evidence for forensic identification of Cymermethrin poisoning cases.
8.Application of maxillary canine pulp volume
Qiuju WEI ; Xiuping WU ; Xiaoyan YUE ; Bing LI ; Hong SHANGGUAN ; Keming YUN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2017;32(6):631-633,638
Objective To explore the clinical application value of three-dimensional reconstruction of maxillary canine pulp volume /tooth volume (PV/TV)in individual gender determination.Methods There were 103 patients (51 males and 52 females) with CBCT imaging data from September 2015 to August 2016, Shanxi Medical University, department of radiology, Mimics 17.0 software was used to measure pulp volume of maxillary canines and tooth volume, and to calculate the ratio of pulp volume/tooth volume.The data were processed by SPSS16.0 statistical software and Fisher discriminant method. The gender determination function was obtained and Cross -Validated method for performance evaluation. Results When gender determination was determined by tooth volume (TV) and pulp volume/tooth volume (PV / TV) as the study index, the gender discriminant function was Y=0.009(TV)+28.896(PV/TV) - 6.962, Cross-validated method for the effect of evaluation, to determine the compliance rate: 51 males, the correct rate of 64.7%;52 female, the correct rate of 78.8%. Conclusion The tooth volume (TV) and pulp volume/tooth volume (PV/TV)can be used as a research indicator of gender inference, it provides a new method and avenue for the gender determination in forensic medicine.
9.Study on the stability of carbofuran and its metabolites in blood preserved at different conditions
Aiai FAN ; Yanan SHEN ; Feng ZHENG ; Zhiwen WEI ; Yao LIU ; Shanlin FU ; Keming YUN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2017;32(6):578-582,587
Objective Study on the stability of carbofuran and its metabolite carbofuran phenol in blood preserved at different conditions,in order to provide a scientific evidence for forensic identification of carbofuran poisoning death. Methods The dogs were given intragastric administration with 4LD50(13.5mg/kg) of carbofuran, the blood were collected and divided into five equally groups preserved at 20℃(NC2.5mg/mL), 20℃(1%NaF), 20℃, 4℃ and -20℃, respectively. The concentrations of carbofuran and carbofuran phenol in above samples were detected by GC-MS/MS with MRM at 0d、5d、7d、15d、40d、83d and 150d. Results The concentration of carbofuran in preserved blood were found to be significant decrease at 7d(P < 0.05), then a steady decline. In each condition, the concentration of carbofuran phenol in preserved blood showed an increasing trend firstly, then a declined tendency. The concentration of carbofuran and carbofuran phenol descending fast in blood at 20 ℃ (NC) and 20 ℃ (1%NaF).Conclusion Carbofuran and carbofuran phenol in preserved specimens are found to be decomposed. The decomposition is quick at 20℃ and slow at -20℃. Citrate sodium and sodium fluoride are not suit for anticoagulation and antiputrefactiva. Biological specimens used for forensic identification of the carbofuran poisoning should be stored at refriferated or freezed, and be analyzed as soon as possible.
10.Simultaneous determination of somedon and its metabolites by GC–MS/MS
Yanan SHEN ; Juan JIA ; Feng ZHENG ; Aiai FAN ; Zhiwen WEI ; Yao LIU ; Shanlin FU ; Keming YUN
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2017;32(6):573-577,587
Objective To develop a method of support liquid-liquid extraction (SLE) and simultaneous determination of 4 components in somedon and its 8 metabolites by GC–MS/MS. Methods Somedon and its metabolites were extracted by SLE and determined by GC-MS/MS in MRM mode. The qualitative analysis was based on retention time and ratio of ions. The quantitative analysis was based on internal standard method and calibration curve. Results After SLE and determination of 4 components in somedon and its 8 metabolites, the extraction rate were 37.57%~95.87%, the linear range were 0.12μg/mL~16.00μg/mL, the correlation coefficient(r)were 0.989 6~0.999 7, LOD were 0.08ng/mL~14.48ng/mL, the accuracy were 79.63%~122.90%, the interday and intraday precision were 0.99%~7.43% and 2.19%~10.60% respectively. Conclusion Simultaneous determination of somedon and its metabolites by GC–MS/MS in biological samples, which was rapid, simple, accurate and was high precision and recovery, can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis in forensic cases.

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