1.Regulatory Effect of Huangqin Tang on Metabolic Homeostasis During Colitis-cancer Transformation in Colitis-associated Colorectal Cancer
Xingbo ZUO ; Xue FENG ; Caijuan ZHANG ; Haifan LIU ; Jianyao LIU ; Bin LIU ; Lin ZHU ; Qiyue SUN ; Dunfang WANG ; Weipeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):21-28
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huangqin Tang (HQT) in regulating metabolic reprogramming during the inflammation-cancer transformation in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). MethodsCAC mouse model was established using the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) combined with the inflammatory agent dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). HQT treatment was adopted. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed at three stages (inflammation, proliferation, and tumor formation) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) untargeted metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical analysis to explore the mechanism of HQT intervention in metabolism in CAC. ResultsThe results revealed that HQT significantly reversed the disturbance of key metabolites in CAC mice. A total of 52, 67, and 45 differential metabolites were identified in the model group, compared to the normal group, during inflammation, proliferation, and tumor stages, respectively. Lactate, linoleic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, and betaine were characteristic metabolites persistently enriched throughout colitis-cancer transformation. Pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites showed that linoleic acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism were the most significantly disturbed in CAC pathogenesis. The proliferation stage featured expanded amino acid metabolic networks, while the tumor stage uniquely exhibited two new pathways of nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and phosphoinositide metabolism. HQT exerted stage-specific regulatory effects: targeting arachidonic acid metabolism in the inflammation stage, correcting the dysregulation of choline-carnitine metabolism in the proliferation stage, and rescuing nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolic collapse in the tumor stage. ConclusionHQT exerts regulatory effects on metabolic disorders at various stages of the colitis-cancer transformation process, thereby effectively slowing the progression from colitis to cancer. The study also reveals the dynamic metabolic characteristics of colorectal "inflammation-cancer transformation,"providing new insights for research on the targeted mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-tumor therapy based on metabolic reprogramming.
2.Sishenwan Combined with Tongxie Yaofang Treats Ulcerative Colitis with Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency and Liver Depression
Yaqing LIU ; Haifan LIU ; Bin LIU ; Xue FENG ; Caijuan ZHANG ; Dunfang WANG ; Lin ZHU ; Weipeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):40-48
ObjectiveTo induce the rat model of ulcerative colitis (UC) with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and liver depression, and explore the efficacy and mechanism of Sishenwan combined with Tongxie Yaofang (SSW&TXYF) based on the therapeutic principles of tonifying spleen, soothing liver, warming kidney, and astringing intestine. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal, model, mesalazine, and high-, medium-, and low-dose SSW&TXYF groups. The rats in other groups except the normal group were administrated with Sennae Folium decoction and hydrocortisone and received tail clamping for 14 days. On day 14, rats received enema with TNBS-ethanol solution to induce UC. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs from day 15 of modeling, and the body weight and mental state were observed and recorded. The sucrose preference test was performed from day 25. On day 28, the rectal temperature was measured, and the rats were administrated with 3% D-xylose solution at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 by gavage. Blood was sampled 1 h later, from which the serum was collected for measurement of the D-xylose content. The serum, hippocampus, and colorectum samples of rats were collected on day 29. The levels of gastrin (GAS), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), interleukin (IL)-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ in the serum and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the hippocampus were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to reveal the colonic lesions. The mRNA and protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the colon tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight, anal temperature, and D-xylose content in the serum and increased GAS content (P<0.01). The modeling led to cAMP/cGMP unbalance and decreased the ACTH and CORT content in the serum (P<0.01), the preference for sucrose water, and the 5-HT content in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Moreover, it shortened the colorectal length and caused massive infiltration of inflammatory cells and severe structural damage in the colon tissue. High, medium, and low doses of SSW&TXYF improved above indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced inflammatory infiltration, and repaired the pathological damage of the tissue. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed lowered IL-4 level (P<0.01) and elevated TNF-α and IFN-γ levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the serum, as well as up-regulated expression of p38 MAPK, ERK, and JNK (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, SSW&TXYF elevated the IL-4 level (P<0.01), lowered the TNF-α and IFN-γ levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK, ERK, and JNK (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionA rat model of UC with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and liver depression was successfully established. SSW&TXYF can significantly mitigate this syndrome by reducing the inflammatory response in the colon and inhibiting the MAPK pathway.
3.Risk factors for perfusionist-related near-miss event: A retrospective cohort study in a single center
Tianxiao LIN ; Xing CHEN ; Weipeng MENG ; Li GUAN ; Qinbao PENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(04):525-530
Objective To explore the risk factors and countermeasures of the perfusionist-related near-miss event (NME) in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods The clinical data of the patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from March 2020 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether NME occurred during the operation, the patients were divided into an NME group and a non-NME group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared, and the risk factors for NME were analyzed. Results A total of 702 patients were enrolled, including 424 males and 278 females with a median age of 56.0 years. There were 125 patients in the NME group and 577 patients in the non-NME group. The occurrence rate of NME was 17.81%. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistical differences between the two groups in the gender, body surface area, CPB time, European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation score, emergency surgery, type of surgery, night CPB initiation, modified ultrafiltration use, multi-device control, average operation time, et al. (all P<0.05). The above variables were dimensionality reduction processed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and the λ of minimum mean square error of 10-fold cross validation was 0.014. The variables of the corresponding model were selected as follows: multi-device control, night CPB initiation, minimum hematocrit, modified ultrafiltration use, CPB time. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that night CPB initiation [OR=9.658, 95%CI (4.735. 19.701), P<0.01] and CPB time [OR=1.003, 95%CI (1.001, 1.006), P=0.014] were independent risk factors for NME. Conclusion Night CPB initiation and CPB time are independent risk factors for NME during CPB, which should be recognized and early warned in clinical work.
4.Optimization of the azomethane oxide and dextran sodium sulfate model of colitis-associated colon cancer and changes in the intestinal microbiota
Dunfang WANG ; Lin ZHU ; Xue FENG ; Caijuan ZHANG ; Haifan LIU ; Yaqing LIU ; Bin LIU ; Li LIU ; Weipeng YANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(2):151-160
Objective To optimize the method of combining azomethane oxide(AOM)and dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)to create a colitis-associated colon cancer(CAC)model,and to explore the pathogenesis of the intestinal flora in CAC.Methods Model groups A and B were established by one and two injections of AOM,respectively,combined with free drinking of DSS,and a normal control group was injected intraperitoneally with normal saline combined with purified water(n=10 mice per group).The better modeling scheme was selected by comprehensive evaluation of the disease activity index score,colon length,tumor rate,and mortality.Serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and tumor markers CA199,CEA,and CA724 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Colon lesions were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Changes in the intestinal microbiota in CAC mice were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput gene sequencing analysis of mouse feces.Results Both single and enhanced AOM injections combined with DSS induced CAC mice;however,colon growths were larger,more closely arranged,and their morphological size was more consistent in group B compared with group A,with a tumor-formation rate of 100%.IL-6 levels were increased in the model group compared with the normal group(P<0.05).TNF-α levels were increased in the model group compared with the normal group(P>0.05).The CA199 and CEA levels were also significantly increased(P<0.05),but CA724 levels were not.Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon detected by HE pathology was accompanied by high-grade intraepithelial tumor-like changes on the surface of the lumen.The diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria were decreased in CAC mice compared with normal mice:phyla Verrucomicrobiota and Actinobacteriota were significantly increased(P<0.05),Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Akkermansia,Prevotellaceae,Ruminococcus,and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased(P<0.05),and Roseburia,Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group,Anaeroplasma,and Muribaculaceae were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions Two injections of AOM combined with 1.5%(1.5 g/100 mL)DSS induced CAC model mice with a high colon-tumorigenesis rate,uniform tumor morphology,and low mortality,and may thus be the preferred modeling scheme for pharmacodynamic experiments.Disorders or dysfunction of the intestinal flora may lead to increased permeability,loss of intestinal mucosal barrier function,and the release of enterogenic endotoxins,Resultsing in a sustained inflammatory response,as an indirect or direct cause of CAC pathogenesis.
5.Effect of Huangqintang on Inflammation and Short-chain Fatty Acid-related Gut Microbiota in Mouse Model of Inflammation-associated Colorectal Cancer
Lin ZHU ; Dunfang WANG ; Xue FENG ; Caijuan ZHANG ; Haifan LIU ; Yaqing LIU ; Bin LIU ; Li LIU ; Siyuan CHEN ; Weipeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):157-169
ObjectiveTo construct a mouse model of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) by using azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and investigate the effect of Huangqintang on the gut microbiota structure of mice during the occurrence and development of CAC by 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. MethodA total of 225 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into 5 groups (n=45): Normal, model, positive drug (mesalazine), and high (18 g·kg-1) and low (9 g·kg-1)-dose Huangqintang. Except those in the normal group, each mouse was injected with 10 mg·kg-1 AOM on day 1 and day 5 within 1 week and then given 1.5% DSS solution for 7 days, which was then changed to sterile water for 14 days. This process referred to as one cycle, and mice were treated for a total of 3 cycles. On the first day of DSS treatment, mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and the normal group and the model group were administrated with pure water by gavage, once a day until the end of the third cycle. The progression of CAC was divided into inflammation, proliferation, and tumorigenesis stages. At the end of each cycle, the body weight and colon length were measured for mice in each group, and the number of colon tumors in mice was recorded. Meanwhile, the disease activity index (DAI) was determined. The serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and carbohydrate antigen-199 (CA199), a tumor marker in the gastrointestinal tract of mice, were measured by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe colon lesions. At the same time, 3-5 pellets of fresh feces of mice in the normal group, model group, and high-dose Huangqintang group were collected, from which the fecal DNA of mice was extracted for 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight (P<0.01), increased DAI, and shortened colon length (P<0.05) at the three stages. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.05) at the proliferation stage and elevated levels of CA199 at the inflammation, proliferation, and tumorigenesis (P<0.01) stages. Compared with the normal group, the model group presented obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells at the inflammation stage, thickening of the muscle layer and abnormal proliferation of mucosal layer cells at the proliferation and tumorigenesis stages, and final formation of advanced intraepithelial tumor lesions. Compared with the model group, the Huangqintang groups showed no significant improvement in the body weight, decreased DAI score, and increased colon length at the three stages, and the increase of colon length in the tumorigenesis stage was significant (P<0.01). At the tumorigenesis stage, the administration of Huangqintang inhibited tumor formation and growth, reduced the number of tumors (P<0.01), lowered the levels of IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.01), TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and IL-1β at the three stages, and decreased CA199 at the inflammation stage as well as at the proliferation and tumorigenesis stages (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the administration of Huangqintang reduced inflammation and abnormal cell proliferation, delaying the occurrence of tumors. Compared with the normal group, the model group showcased decreased alpha and beta diversity and altered structure of gut microbiota at the inflammation, proliferation, and tumorigenesis stages. The administration of Huangqintang adjusted the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota to the normal levels. At the inflammation stage, Huangqintang positively regulated two differential phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) and three differential genera (Muribaculaceae, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Flavonifractor) in mice. At the proliferation stage, Huangqintang positively regulated two differential phyla (Bacteroidetes and Patescibacteria) and five differential genera (Muribaculaceae, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, norank_f__UCG-010, and Allobaculum). At the tumorigenesis stage, Huangqintang positively regulated two differential phyla (Proteobacteria and Patescibacteria) and eight differential genera (Muribaculaceae, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, norank_f_UCG-010, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, Allobaculum, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Flavonifractor) in mice. ConclusionHuangqintang can intervene in the AOM/DSS-induced transformation of inflammation to CAC in mice by correcting inflammation and short-chain fatty acid-related microbiota disorders.
6.Clinical characteristics of 11 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection and the establishment of a rapid diagnosis procedure for this disease
Weipeng LIN ; Xu MU ; Shenghua CHEN ; Chunjing HE ; Hanhua LI ; Chuanwei SUN ; Huining BIAN ; Wen LAI ; Zhifeng HUANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2024;40(3):266-272
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection, share diagnosis and treatment experience, and establish a rapid diagnosis procedure for this disease. Methods:This study was a retrospective case series study. From January 2009 to November 2022, 11 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns and Wound Repair of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University. The gender, age, time of onset of illness, time of admission, time of diagnosis, route of infection, underlying diseases, affected limbs, clinical manifestations and signs on admission, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, procalcitonin, albumin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and blood sodium levels on admission, culture results and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results of pathogenic bacteria and the Vibrio vulnificus drug susceptibility test results during hospitalization, treatment methods, length of hospital stay, and outcomes of all patients were recorded. Comparative analysis was conducted on the admission time and diagnosis time of patients with and without a history of exposure to seawater/marine products, as well as the fatality ratio and amputation of limbs/digits ratio of patients with and without early adequate antibiotic treatment. For the survived patients with hand involvement, the hand function was assessed using Brunnstrom staging at the last follow-up. Based on patients' clinical characteristics and treatment conditions, a rapid diagnosis procedure for Vibrio vulnificus infection was established. Results:There were 7 males and 4 females among the patients, aged (56±17) years. Most of the patients developed symptoms in summer and autumn. The admission time was 3.00 (1.00, 4.00) d after the onset of illness, and the diagnosis time was 4.00 (2.00, 8.00) d after the onset of illness. There were 7 and 4 patients with and without a history of contact with seawater/marine products, respectively, and the admission time of these two types of patients was similar ( P>0.05). The diagnosis time of patients with a history of contact with seawater/marine products was 2.00 (2.00, 5.00) d after the onset of illness, which was significantly shorter than 9.00 (4.25, 13.00) d after the onset of illness for patients without a history of contact with seawater/marine products ( Z=-2.01, P<0.05). Totally 10 patients had underlying diseases. The affected limbs were right-hand in 8 cases, left-hand in 1 case, and lower limb in 2 cases. On admission, a total of 9 patients had fever; 11 patients had pain at the infected site, and redness and swelling of the affected limb, and 9 patients each had ecchymosis/necrosis and blisters/blood blisters; 6 patients suffered from shock, and 2 patients developed multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. On admission, there were 8 patients with abnormal white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and albumin levels, 10 patients with abnormal CRP, procalcitonin, and NT-proBNP levels, 5 patients with abnormal creatinine and blood sodium levels, and fewer patients with abnormal platelet count, ALT, and AST levels. During hospitalization, 4 of the 11 wound tissue/exudation samples had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 5.00 (5.00, 5.00) d; 4 of the 9 blood specimens had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 3.50 (1.25, 5.00) d; the mNGS results of 7 wound tissue/exudation or blood samples were all positive, and the result reporting time was 1.00 (1.00, 2.00) d. The three strains of Vibrio vulnificus detected were sensitive to 10 commonly used clinical antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin, etc. A total of 10 patients received surgical treatment, 4 of whom had amputation of limbs/digits; all patients received anti-infection treatment. The length of hospital stay of 11 patients was (26±11) d, of whom 9 patients were cured and 2 patients died. Compared with that of the 6 patients who did not receive early adequate antibiotic treatment, the 5 patients who received early adequate antibiotic treatment had no significant changes in the fatality ratio or amputation of limbs/digits ratio ( P>0.05). In 3 months to 2 years after surgery, the hand function of 8 patients was assessed, with results showing 4 cases of disabled hands, 2 cases of incompletely disabled hands, and 2 cases of recovered hands. When a patient had clinical symptoms of limb redness and swelling and a history of contact with seawater/marine products or a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection. Conclusions:Vibrio vulnificus infection occurs most frequently in summer and autumn, with clinical manifestations and laboratory test results showing obvious infection characteristics, and may be accompanied by damage to multiple organ functions. Both the fatality and disability ratios are high and have a great impact on the function of the affected limbs. Early diagnosis is difficult and treatment is easily delayed, but mNGS could facilitate rapid detection. For patients with red and swollen limbs accompanied by a history of contact with seawater/marine products or with a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection.
7.Intervention Mechanism of Huangqintang on Intestinal Inflammation and Proliferation in Colitis-associated Colon Cancer
Lin ZHU ; Dunfang WANG ; Xue FENG ; Caijuan ZHANG ; Haifan LIU ; Yaqing LIU ; Bin LIU ; Li LIU ; Weipeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(22):1-10
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Huangqintang on mouse models of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) and explore the mechanism of Huangqintang in regulating immune function and inflammatory response, inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation, and delaying or inhibiting CAC formation in CAC. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, mesalazine group, and high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups according to body weight, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, the rest of the mice were given two intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg·kg-1 azomethane (AOM) and allowed to drink 1.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) freely for seven days and water normally for two weeks. Then, two cycles of ''DSS-drinking water'' were repeated. During the administration of DSS, mice in the normal group and model group were given gavage in equal doses of pure water. Mice in the mesalazine group were given 150 mg·kg-1·d-1 mesalamine suspension for gavage, and mice in the high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups were given 18 and 9 g·kg-1·d-1 Huangqintang for gavage, respectively. Each group was given one dose daily until the end of three cycles. After the intervention, the body weight, colon length, and number of colon tumors in each group were measured, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were performed. The serum contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and gastrointestinal tumor marker carbohydrate antigen-199 (CA199) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The colonic lesions were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of proliferative cell-associated antigen (Ki67) was observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD49b+) in mouse plasma was detected by flow cytometry. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-D (FITC-D) content in mouse serum was detected by fluorescent labeling method. The Western blot method was used to detect the expression of Cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and tightly junction-related Occludin and Claudin-1. ResultCompared with the normal group, the body weight of mice in the model group decreased. DAI score increased significantly, and the colon became shorter. Pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β increased, and IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.05). The inflammatory factor IL-4 (P<0.05) and IL-10 were significantly reduced, and the tumor marker CA199 was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that colon lesions, intestinal mucosal epithelial defects with a large number of inflammatory infiltrates, serious crypt structure damage, and glandular arrangement disorder were observed in the model group. Ki67 positive granules were expressed in large areas of colonic tissue. The serum CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ of mice in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.05), and CD8+ increased significantly (P<0.05). The plasma content of FITC-D in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4 proteins in colon tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 was significantly decreased. Compared with the model group, the body weight of mice in the mesalazine group and the high- and low-dose Huangqintang groups increased. DAI score decreased, and the colon became longer. IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), but there was no significant change in IL-4 and IL-10. The content of CA199 was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the colomatoid lesions and inflammatory infiltrates were reduced in the mesalazine group and the Huangqintang group. The crypt structure damage was lighter, and the positive expression of Ki67 was reduced. CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and CD49b+ increased, and the difference was not statistically significant. FITC-D content decreased (P<0.05). The expression of Cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4 decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and Claudin-1 and Occludin protein expression increased in the high-dose Huangqintang group (P<0.05). ConclusionHuangqintang has a certain delay and inhibitory effect on AOM/DSS-induced inflammatory cancer transformation, and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating immune function and inflammatory response, inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory factors, repairing damaged intestinal barriers, inhibiting abnormal proliferation of colon cells, and intervening in the formation and development of CAC colon tumors.
8.Study on the effects and mechanism of luteolin on osteogenic repair of bone defects
Shengyao TANG ; Minhua HU ; Ruoyu ZHOU ; Weipeng SUN ; Xintao TANG ; Haixiong LIN ; Ziwei JIANG
China Pharmacy 2023;34(7):807-813
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of luteolin on osteogenic repair of bone defects. METHODS The targets and potential pathways of luteolin in the treatment of bone defects were screened by network pharmacology method, and then the top 2 targets were selected by Hub gene screening for molecular docking verification, with binding energy as the evaluation standard. In vitro experiments were conducted on rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) and rat umbilical vein endothelial cells (RUVEC). Phenotypic validation was performed using alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, and in vitro angiogenesis experiments. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase 1 (Akt1), so as to validate the mechanism of luteolin on osteogenic differentiation of BMSC and angiogenesis of RUVEC in vitro. RESULTS The results of network pharmacology showed that the effects of luteolin on vascular formation and bone repair in bone defects were mainly related to Akt1, SRC, estrogen receptor 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 9 targets, and were closely related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that luteolin binding to Akt1 and SRC proteins was stable. The results of in vitro experiments showed that luteolin could significantly improve the expressions and activities of alkaline phosphatase in BMSC, increased the number of calcium salt deposits and calcified nodules, and promoted calcification of BMSC. Compared with luteolin 0 μmol/L group, the angiogenesis ability of RUVEC was enhanced significantly in luteolin 1, 10 μmol/L groups, the length of blood vessels and the protein expressions of PI3K and Akt1 were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the higherthe concentration, the better the effect. CONCLUSIONS Luteolin may play a role in promoting angiogenesis and bone repair at the fracture site by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and promoting the protein expressions of PI3K and Akt1.
9.Effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A on apoptosis of human renal tubular epithelial cells under cold hypoxia and reoxygenation
Jie WANG ; Weipeng LIN ; Hanqiao LI ; Lunhua CHEN ; Zhengyuan YAO ; Min LIU ; Zhanqing LI ; Xue YI
Clinical Medicine of China 2021;37(5):400-405
Objective:To investigate the effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) preconditioning group on apoptosis induced by cold hypoxia/reoxygenation (cold H/R) injury in human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK2 cells).Methods:After digestion and passage, HK2 cell lines were divided into Sham group (control group), cold hypoxia and reoxygenation group (cold H/R group, cells cold hypoxia for 4 h, reoxygenation for 4 h), and HSYA preconditioning group (each HSYA subgroup was given different doses of HSYA 0.5 h before hypoxia, and the other operations were the same as the cold H/R group). The cell survival rate was measured by CCK-8 method.The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 proteins in HK-2 cells were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting.Results:(1) Compared with cold H/R group, different doses of HSYA could improve cell survival rate in different degrees, but only HSYA25 μmol/L group had the most significant effect (74.000±5.500 vs.59.000±3.800, P<0.05). (2) Immunocytochemistry semi-quantitative score: Compared with cold H/R group, the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in HK2 cells of HSYA25 μmol/L group was significantly decreased(0(0, 1) vs. 8(6, 8), Z=2.041, P<0.05 and (3.400±0.548) vs.(7.800±1.095), t=11.000, P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was increased significantly ((6.800±1.095) vs.(1.400±0.548), t=10.590, P<0.01). The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax increased significantly.(3)Western blot was used to detect protein: Compared with the cold H/R group, the protein levels of Bax, Cleaved-Caspase-3 and Pro-caspase-3 of HK2 cells in the HSYA25 μmol/L group were significantly decreased ((0.707±0.012) vs.(0.968±0.117), (0.480±0.009)vs.(0.735±0.005), (0.992±0.008)vs.(1.197±0.005), all P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly increased, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was significantly increased ((0.410±0.009) vs.(0.273±0.008), (0.582±0.016) vs (0.282±0.080), all P<0.01). The experimental results were consistent with the immunocytochemistry. Conclusion:HSYA can effectively reduce the damage of HK2 cells after cold hypoxia and reoxygenation.
10.Investigation on Anti-atherosclerosis Mechanism of Tiaopi Huxin Prescription Based on Cav- 1/NF-κB Pathway
Tong LIN ; Chushuo SHI ; Zhizhong SUN ; Shuliang JI ; Junmao WEN ; Qianying CHEN ; Weipeng SUN ; Tian ZHANG ; Xiaoqi ZHOU ; Junzhe LI
China Pharmacy 2019;30(2):165-169
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Tiaopi huxin prescription (TPHXP) on the atherosclerosis (AS) of ApoE-/- mice, and to investigate its mechanism. METHODS: Forty male ApoE-/- mice were divided into blank group, model group, simvastatin group (positive control, 5 mg/kg) and TPHXP low-dose and high-dose groups (50, 150 mg/kg), with 8 mice in each group. Except that blank group was given common diet, other groups were given high-lipid diet to induce AS model. After modeling, administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically, and blank group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 12 weeks. After last medication, the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C were determined by spectrophotometry. The serum level of NO was detected by nitrate reduction method. The serum levels of IL-6 and VCAM-1 were determined by ELISA. After separating thoracic aorta, HE staining was used to observe the formation of plaque in the thoracic aorta of mice in each group, and the corrected plaque area was calculated. Western blotting was conducted to determine the expression of NF-κB p65, Cav-1 and eNOS. RESULTS: Compared with blank group, the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-6 and VCAM-1 were increased significantly in model group, while the levels of HDL-C and NO were decreased significantly (P<0.01). The plaque of thoracic aorta was obvious and the corrected plaque area were increased significantly (P<0.01). The relative expression of NF-κB p65 and Cav-1 were increased significantly, while the relative expression of eNOS was decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in administration groups, the serum levels of IL-6 and VCAM-1 in simvastatin group and TPHXP high-dose group were decreased significantly, while the serum levels of HDL-C and NO were increased significantly in administration groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In administration groups, the plaques of thoracic aorta were reduced and the corrected plaque area was decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the relative expression of NF-κB p65 and Cav-1 were decreased significantly, while the relative expression of eNOS was increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TPHXP can regulate the level of blood lipid, decrease the level of inflammatory factors and inhibit the formation of AS plaque, the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting Cav-1/NF-κB pathway.

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