OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were used to establish T2DM model by high-fat diet feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Then, the mice with hyperglycemia were still fed with high-fat diet for nine weeks, and treated with or without 5-HT_2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (alone or in combination). To observe the role of 5-HT in the myofibroblastization of hepa-tic stellate cells (HSCs), human HSCs LX-2 were exposed to high glucose, and were treated with or without SH, CDP or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor clorgiline (CGL). Hematoxylin & eosin and Masson staining were used to detect the pathological lesions of liver tissue section, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to analyze protein expression, biochemical indicators were measured by ELISA or enzyme kits, and levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by fluorescent probe. RESULTS: There were up-regulated expressions of 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthases and MAO-A, and elevated levels of 5-HT in the liver of the T2DM mice. In addition to reduction of the hepatic 5-HT levels and MAO-A expression, treatment with SH and CDP could effectively ameliorate liver lesions in the T2DM mice, both of which could ameliorate hepatic injury and steatosis, significantly inhibit the increase of hepatic ROS (H₂O₂) levels to alleviate oxidative stress, and markedly suppress the production of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and the development of inflammation and fibrosis in liver. More importantly, there was a synergistic effect between SH and CDP. Studies on LX-2 cells showed that high glucose could induce up-regulation of 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthases and MAO-A expression, increase intracellular 5-HT level, increase the production of ROS, and lead to myofibroblastization of LX-2, resulting in the increase of TGF-β1 synthesis and production of inflammatory and fibrosis factors. The effects of high glucose could be significantly inhibited by 5-HT_2AR antagonist SH or be markedly abolished by mitochondrial 5-HT degradation inhibitor CGL. In addition, SH significantly suppressed the up-regulation of 5-HT synthases and MAO-A induced by high glucose in LX-2. CONCLUSION Hyperglycemia-induced myofibroblastization and TGF-β1 production of HSCs, which leads to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in T2DM mice, is probably due to the up-regulation of 5-HT_2AR expression and increase of 5-HT synthesis and degradation, resulting in the increase of ROS production in mitochondria. Among them, 5-HT_2AR is involved in the regulation of 5-HT synthases and MAO-A expression.
Male ; Mice ; Humans ; Animals ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology* ; Hyperglycemia/pathology* ; Monoamine Oxidase/metabolism* ; Inflammation ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Cytidine Diphosphate/pharmacology*

Hyperglycemic kidney injury (HKI) is a common complication of diabetic patients. We examined the relationship between HKI and the abnormal expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system induced by hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In animal experiments, a T2DM model was established in mice by feeding a high-fat diet with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice were treated with the 5-HT_2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (respectively or in combination). In cell culture experiments, human glomerular mesangial cells (HMC) were stimulated with D-glucose (D-Glu), and 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis, and 5-HT degradation were inhibited by SH, CDP, or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor clorgyline. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Masson staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot, fluorescent probe, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme reagent were respectively used to detect histopathology, protein expression, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and biochemical indexes. The animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. The results showed that 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthases, and MAO-A were expressed in glomerular basement membrane and kidney tubular epithelial cells of mouse kidney and HMC. The expression of these proteins was significantly up-regulated in T2DM mice or when HMC cells were exposed to high concentration of D-Glu. HKI, characterized by abnormal renal function, glomerular swelling, and glomerular basement membrane thickening and fibrosis, is closely associated with an increase in kidney 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis, and 5-HT degradation. Among them, 5-HT_2AR can mediate the expression of 5-HT synthases and MAO-A; MAO-A can catalyze the degradation of 5-HT to increase the production of mitochondrial ROS, leading to the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) with the production of inflammatory cytokines, and the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with the production of collagens. SH and CDP can effectively treat HKI, and the combination of SH and CDP has a clear synergistic effect.

Fatigue is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined the relationship between T2DM fatigue and the skeletal muscle 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system. In animal experiments, a T2DM model was established in mice by feeding a high-fat diet with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice were treated with the 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (separately and in combination). In cell culture experiments, C2C12 cells were stimulated with D-glucose, palmitic acid or 5-HT. 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation were inhibited by SH, CDP, or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor. The animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. The results showed that 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthase and MAO-A were expressed in mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells. The expression of these proteins was significantly up-regulated in T2DM mice or when C2C12 cells were exposed to palmitic acid and D-glucose; palmitic acid was a stronger stimulant of their expression than D-glucose. Rotating rod experiments and biochemical index tests have shown that T2DM fatigue is associated with an increase in skeletal muscle 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation. 5-HT_2AR mediates the expression of MAO-A and the synthesis of 5-HT, which indirectly regulates the degradation of 5-HT. MAO-A regulates cell inflammation, mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential depolarization by mediating 5-HT degradation. MAO-A also inhibits the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and ATP synthase-6 (ATP6), thus inhibiting mitochondrial functions such as fatty acid β oxidation and ATP synthesis. SH and CDP can effectively treat T2DM fatigue, and can also reduce blood glucose and blood lipid, and the combination of SH and CDP has a clear synergistic effect.

Objective:To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) levels at different baseline on the risk of new-onset acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:The subjects were from the Kailuan Study Cohort and divided into 3 groups according to baseline BMI levels: BMI<24 kg/m 2, normal weight; BMI 24-28 kg/m 2, overweight; BMI≥28 kg/m 2, obesity. The incidence of new-onset AP in these three groups was analyzed. The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative incidence was calculated and tested by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate HR of baseline BMI levels for AP. Results:A total of 123 841 subjects were included and followed up for (11.94±2.13) years, during which, 395 cases were found with AP. The incidence of AP was 2.67 per 10 000 person years in total population, and the incidences of AP were 2.20, 2.72 and 3.58 per 10 000 person-years in the normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively. The cumulative incidences of AP was 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.49% in normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively, which showed a significant inter-group difference by log-rank test ( χ2=13.17, P<0.01). The results of multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that obesity group ( HR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.92) had a higher risk for AP compared with the normal BMI group. The subgroup analyses by age and sex showed that compared with the normal weight group,the HRs for AP in the obesity group was 1.58(95% CI:1.14-2.19) and 1.40(95% CI:1.03-1.90) among subjects younger than 60 years old and male subjects, respectively. After excluded onset AP within two years from baseline,with a control group from normal weight,the results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the AP in the obesity group was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.18-2.15). Conclusion:Obesity may increase the risk of developing AP, particularly among young and middle-aged men.

OBJECTIVE：To establish a method for the determination of 8 glycosides（astragaloside Ⅰ，Ⅱ，Ⅲ，Ⅳ and calycosin glucopyranoside ，2′-hydroxy-3′，4′-dimethoxy-isoflavan-glucoside and 9，10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan-glucoside） and 4 aglycones（calycosin，formononetin，7，2′-dihydroxy-3′，4′-dimethoxy-isoflavan and 3-hydroxy-9，10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan） in Astragalus membranaceus ，and to investigate the effects of different processing temperatures on the contents of above 12 components. METHODS ：The contents of 12 components in A. membranaceus and samples processed under different temperatures（120，140，160，180，200 ℃）were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The determination was performed on ACQUITY UPLC HSS T 3 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.1 mol/L formic acid water solution -0.1 mol/L formic acid acetonitrile solution （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The detection wavel ength was 260 nm，and sample size was 2 μL. Electrospray ion source（ESI）was used under positive ion mode （ESI+）. The mass scanning range was mass ratio （m/z）of 50-1 500，with capillary voltage of 2 000 V and ion source temperature of 100 ℃. The desolvation temperature was 400 ℃；flow rate of atomizing gas （N2） was 40 L/h，and that of desolvation was 800 L/h；collision energy （CE）was 20-30 V；data acquisition rate was 0.5 s/scan. RESULTS：The linear range of astragaloside Ⅰ，astragaloside Ⅱ，astragaloside Ⅲ，astragaloside Ⅳ，calycosin-glucopyranoside， calycosin，ononin，formononetin，2′-hydroxy-3′，4′-dimethoxy-isoflavan-glucoside，7，2′-dihydroxy-3′，4′-dimethoxy-isoflavan，9， 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan-glucoside and 3-hydroxy-9，10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan were 0.001 16-0.232 0，0.000 276-0.055 2， 0.000 22-0.044 0，0.000 225-0.045 0，0.000 734-0.587 0，0.001 17-0.234 0，0.000 742- 0.148 0，0.001 30-0.260，0.003 98-0.795 0， 0.000 476-0.476 0，0.001 89-0.378 0，0.000 336-0.336 0 μg（all R2≥0.999 2），respectively. The limits of detection were 6.2×10－6， 4.8×10－6，3.8×10－6，3.4×10－6，5.8×10－6，4.8×10－6，4.2×10－6，3.2×10－6，5.8×10－6，2.6×10－6，4.2×10－6，6.4×10－6 μg，respectively. The limits of quantitation were 12.6×10－6，16.2×10－6，14.4×10－6，14.8×10－6，18.8×10－6，16.4×10－6，15.4×10－6，10.8×10－6，20.2×10－6， 12.4×10－6，14.6×10－6，23.4×10－6 μg，respectively. RSDs of precision ，stability（24 h）and repetition tests were all lower than 3.0％（n＝6）. The average recoveries were 99.1％，100.2％，98.7％，101.9％，98.6％，102.1％，99.2％，100.3％，98.7％， 99.2％，99.3％ and 100.8％，with the RSDs of 1.9％，2.2％，2.4％，1.8％，2.1％，1.7％，2.3％，1.9％，2.4％，1.8％，2.2％ and 1.9％（n＝6），respectively. The results showed that the contents of astragaloside Ⅰ，Ⅱ and Ⅲ decreased gradually with the increase of processing temperature ；the content of astragaloside Ⅳ increased gradually with the increase of temperature. The content of flavonoid glycosides ，such as calycosin glucopyranoside ，ononin，2′-hydroxy-3′，4′-dimethoxy-isoflavan-glucoside and 9， 10-dimethoxy-pterocarpan-glucoside decreased with the increase of temperature ；the corresponding aglycone components as flavonoid glycosides ，formononetin，3-hydroxy-9，10-dimethoxy- pterocarpan increased firstly and then decreased with the increase ； the content of 7，2′-dihydroxy-3′，4′- dimethoxy-isoflavan decreased with the increase of temperature. CONCLUSIONS ：Established UPLC-MS/MS method can be used for determination of 12 components in A. membranaceus . After processed under different temperature，the contents of glycosides decreased in general ，while the contents of aglycones increased in general.

Objective:To establish a method for qualitative analysis of components in Perilla frutescens leaves and stalks by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)，so as to explore the substance basis of pharmacodynamics differences between P.frutescens leaves and stalks.Method:P. frutescens leaves and stalks were extracted by 80% methanol-water ultrasound. The samples were analyzed by UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS comprehensively. Halo-C₁₈ column (2.1 mm×100 mm，2.7 μm) was used for gradient elution with 0.05% formic acid aqueous-0.05% acetonitrile formate as mobile phase in positive and negative ion modes. The flow rate was 0.3 mL·min^-1，the column temperature was 40 ℃，and the injection volume was 5 μL.Result:The chemical compound in P. frutescens was deduced and identified based on the retention time of chromatography，and the exact molecular weight，excimer ion peaks，fragment ions and reference materials in Xcalibur software. The chemical composition of P. frutescens was identified by Mass Frontier 7.0 software. Totally 4 amino acids，7 phenylpropanoids，10 flavonoids，12 triterpenoids，7 organic acids，4 fatty acids，10 unknown compounds and 54 compounds were identified. Among them，6 triterpene acids, including glochidone, were identified in P. frutescens for the first time. The structures of five characteristic compounds were analyzed. There were 45 constituents in P.frutescens leaves and 32 constituents in P. frutescens stalks. They had 23 common constituents.Conclusion:LC-MS can identify the components of P. frutescens rapidly and effectively. This study provides an important theoretical basis for the quality control of different parts of P. frutescens and the development and utilization of P. frutescens.