Polysaccharides, predominantly extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium officinale, Ganoderma lucidum, and Poria cocos, represent principal bioactive constituents extensively utilized in Chinese medicine. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capabilities, especially anti-liver injury activities, while exhibiting minimal adverse effects. This review summarized recent studies to elucidate the hepatoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of these herbal polysaccharides. It underscored the role of these polysaccharides in regulating hepatic function, enhancing immunological responses, and improving antioxidant capacities, thus contributing to the attenuation of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver protection. Analyses of molecular pathways in these studies revealed the intricate and indispensable functions of traditional Chinese herbal polysaccharides in liver injury management. Therefore, this review provides a thorough examination of the hepatoprotective attributes and molecular mechanisms of these medicinal polysaccharides, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of polysaccharide-based therapeutic research and their potential clinical applications in liver disease treatment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antioxidants ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To investigate the mechanism that Rubescensine A reduces the podocyte damage induced by high glucose(HG)through the autophagy pathway mediated by AMP activated protein kinase/silent information regulator 1(AMPK/SIRT1)pathway.Methods Human glomerular podocytes were cultured in vitro,and randomly divided into Control group(Con),HG group,hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)group,and Rapamycin(RAP)group.CCK-8 was used to detect cell viability.Western blotting was used to detect cell apoptosis and podocyte injury related protein expression in each group.The podocyte model induced by high glucose(HG)was treated with Rubescensine A(Rub A)at different concentrations and the optimal concentration was selected.Then,human glomerular podocytes were randomly divided into Con group,HG group,Rub A group,Compound C group,and Rub A+Compound C group.The expression of autophagy,AMPK/SIRT1 pathway related proteins were detected in each group.Results Compared with Con group,the podocyte viability and the protein expressions of Synaptopodin and Bcl-2 was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of Desmin and Bax were significantly increased in HG group(P<0.05).Compared with the HG group,all indicators were relieved in RAP group.However,the levels of all indicators were worsened in HCQ group.Compared with Con group,the expression levels of Desminand Bax proteins in podocytes were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the podocyte viability,number of autophagosomes,the expression levels of Synaptopodin,Bcl-2,microtubule associated protein light chain 3(LC3)II/I,Beclin-1,p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1 proteins were significantly reduced in HG group(P<0.05).Compared with HG group and Rub A+Compound C group,the above indicators were improved in Rub A group.Compound C group reversed the protective effect of Rub A.Conclusion Rubescensine A can promote autophagy by activating AMPK/SIRT1 pathway,thereby reduce podocyte damage induced by high glucose.

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum Aβ1-42,P-Tau181,and Hcy levels with sleep disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods A total of 80 PD patients were divided into a normal sleep group(＜7 points)and a sleep disorder group(≥7 points)based on the evaluations with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlations between the levels of serum A β1-42,P-Tau181,and Hcy levels and sleep disorders.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the efficacy parameters of different indicators in pre-dicting sleep disorders in those patients.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that serum Aβ1-42 and Hcy were protective and independent risk factors for sleep disorders in the PD patients,respectively(P＜0.05).The predictive AUCs of serum Aβ1-42 and Hcy levels for sleep disorders in the PD patients were 0.757(95%CI:0.652～0.861)and 0.796(95%CI:0.688～0.905),respectively.Conclusion The levels of serum Aβ1-42 and Hcy in PD patients are closely related to sleep disorders.Therefore,they can be used as predic-tive factors for clinical diagnosis of PD with sleep disorders.

Objective To evaluate the potential risk of transmission of angiostrongyliasis by common freshwater snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into local surveillance of angiostrongyliasis. Methods Common freshwater snails were collected from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province from March to April, 2020, and identified and bred in laboratory. SD rats were infected with third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis that were isolated from commercially available Pomacea canaliculata snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and freshwater snails were infected with the first-stage larvae of A. cantonensis that were isolated from the feces of SD rats 39 days post-infection at room temperature. The developmental process and morphological characteristics of worms in hosts were observed, and the percentages of A. cantonensis infections in different species of freshwater snails were calculated. Then, SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis that were isolated from A. cantonensis-infected freshwater snails, and the larval development and reproduction was observed. Results More than 3 000 freshwater snail samples were collected from farmlands, ditches and wetlands around Erhai Lake in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and Cipangopaludina chinensis, P. canaliculata, Parafossarulus striatulus, Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni, Galba pervia, Physa acuta, Radix swinhoei, Assiminea spp., Tricula spp. and Bellamya spp. were morphologically identified. A total of 105 commercially available P. canaliculata snails were tested for A. cantonensis infections, and 2 P. canaliculata snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis, in which the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis were isolated. Ten species of freshwater snails were artificially infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis, and all 10 species of freshwater snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis, with the highest positive rate of A. cantonensis infections in Bellamya spp. (62.3%, 137/204), and the lowest in C. chinensis (35.5%, 11/31). After SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis isolated from different species of freshwater snails, mature adult worms of A. cantonensis were yielded. Conclusions Multiple species of freshwater snails may serve as intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis under laboratory conditions in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Further investigations on natural infection of A. cantonensis in wild snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture seem justified.

Background Some studies have found that exposure to heavy metals significantly increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and welding operators in automobile manufacturing enterprises are exposed to heavy metals in the working environment. Objective To analyze the prevalence and related factors of NAFLD in workers of an automobile company in Guangzhou. Methods From January 1 of 2023 to December 31 of 2023, 5463 workers of an automobile company in Guangzhou who participated in the physical examination in the Occupational Health Surveillance Centre of Guangzhou Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Hospital were selected as research subjects. The general data, laboratory examinations, B-ultrasound examinations, and other data of the subjects were obtained through the physical examination system. The exposed occupational hazards were identified based on the workplace hazard surveillance report provided by the automotive company. Logistic regression was used to analyze potential influencing factors of NAFLD, and stratified analysis was used to adjust confounding factors according to the stepwise model to evaluate the relationship between exposure to manganese and its inorganic compounds and NAFLD. Results A total of 2129 cases (38.97%) were reported positive NAFLD. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that women had a lower risk of NAFLD (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.25, 0.64), while age > 25 years old (OR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.39, 1.60), body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg·m⁻² (OR=7.54, 95%CI: 6.46, 8.79), and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR=4.87, 95%CI: 3.73, 6.36), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT) (OR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.17, 2.02), triglyceride (TG) (OR=3.47, 95%CI: 2.92, 4.14), and fasting blood glucose (OR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.32, 2.20) associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. NAFLD was positive in 39.40% of heavy metal exposed workers (701/1779). NAFLD was positive in 45.19% of workers exposed to manganese and its inorganic compounds (169/374), and among workers over 34 years old, exposure to manganese and its inorganic compounds (OR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.97) significantly increased the prevalence of NAFLD. Conclusion The association between heavy metal exposure and NAFLD in workers of an automobile enterprise in Guangzhou is not significant, but age and gender are related to the prevalence of NAFLD. BMI, ALT, γ-GGT, TG, and fasting blood glucose are positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD. Exposure to manganese and its inorganic compounds in welding workers of the automobile enterprise is associated with elevated risk of the disease, and the prevalence of NAFLD is significantly increased in workers over 34 years old.

Objective To establish a renal cell co-culture system to simulate the renal barrier system,and to test its responsiveness to different glucose concentrations,and to investigate the regulatory effect of miR-29b-3p on osteopontin(OPN)/transforming growth factor β(TGF-β)pathway and the changes of this pathway under high glucose condition.Methods The three-cell co-culture system consisting of human renal podocytes,human glomerular mesangial cells and human renal tubular epithelial cells was established to test the cell viability and glucose consumption value at glucose concentrations of 5,8,12 and 16 mmol/L.The content of TGF-β and OPN in cell supernatant was measured.The recombinant plasmid and siRNA of OPN were transfected,and the expressions of TGF-β and OPN were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot.Results The mRNA expressions of OPN,TGF-β and miR-29b were significantly increased at 12 mmol/L glucose conditions.Western blot results showed that the protein expression of OPN increased in high glucose conditions,while the protein expression of TGF-β did not change significantly.After adding miR-29b-3p activator,the mRNA levels of OPN and TGF-β in the cell supernatant were significantly increased.After adding miR-29b-3p inhibitor,the mRNA levels of OPN and TGF-β in the cell supernatant were significantly decreased.Western blot results showed that compared with 5 mmol/L glucose,the protein expressions of OPN and TGF-β were increased by miR-29b-3p activator,and the protein expressions of OPN and TGF-β were decreased by miR-29b-3p inhibitor.After transfection with OPN recombinant plasmid,the content of TGF-β in the cell supernatant was significantly increased,and the mRNA expressions of OPN and TGF-β in the cells were significantly increased.After transfection with OPN siRNA,the content of TGF-β in the cell supernatant was decreased,and the expression of OPN mRNA in the cells was significantly decreased,but the expression of TGF-β mRNA was not significantly increased.Conclusion The renal cell co-culture system can mimic the complex renal environment in vivo.When induced by high glucose,cell proliferation is inhibited,glucose consumption is increased,and the content of TGF-β in the cell supernatant is increased,and miR-29b-3p has a regulatory effect on OPN/TGF-β signaling pathway in the co-culture system.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs combined with linezolid in treatment of children with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).Methods:A retrospective cohort study design was performed . Eight-nine Children diagnosed as TBM during January 1 st 2016 and December 31 st 2023 in Department of Infectious Disease, Children′s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled in the study. According to different treatment regimens, children were divided into a group of first-line anti-tuberculous drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol (HRZE)) and a group of HRZE and linezolid combination (HRZEL). The efficacy and safety of the 2 regimens were compared and the relationship between linezolid drug concentration and adverse reactions were analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed using χ2 test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The 89 children with TBM included 53 males and 36 females with an onset age of 4.6 (1.4, 9.6) years. There were 27 cases in the HZREL group and 62 cases in the HRZE group. Before treatment, positive rate of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) in HRZEL group was lower than that in HRZE group (64% (16/25) vs.92% (55/60), χ2=9.82, P<0.05), but protein level of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was higher than that in HRZE group (1.2 (1.0, 2.0) vs.0.8 (0.4,1.4) g/L, Z=0.32, P<0.05). By the end of the intensive phase, there were no significant differences of rates of CSF improvement and etiology negativity between HRZEL group and HRZE group (both P>0.05).The 44 TBM children with high CSF protein (>1 g/L) included 25 males and 19 females with an onset age of 6.7 (3.0, 11.8) years. There were 21 cases in the HZREL group and 23 cases in the HRZE group accordingly. Before treatment, there were no significant differences of positive rate of IGRA test and CSF protein level between the 2 groups (62% (13/21) vs. 87% (20/23), 1.7 (1.1, 2.2) vs. 1.5 (1.2, 1.9) g/L, χ2=3.67, Z=0.23, both P>0.05). There were no significant differences in CSF indicators, etiology negativity or imaging remission between the two groups by the end of intensive phase (all P>0.05). Higher frequencies of granulocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms as well as withdrawal or change of drugs were found in HRZEL group when compared to those in HRZE group (44% (12/27) vs. 19% (12/62), 7% (2/27) vs. 0, 33% (9/27) vs. 3% (2/62), χ2=6.01, 4.70, 15.74, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy of HRZEL regimen is similar to conventional HRZE regimen in children with TBM, but with higher adverse effect. Prudentially evaluating the pros and cons of linezolid in the usage of drug-susceptible TB and carefully monitoring of linezolid associated adverse effects is suggested.

Objective To observe the protection mechanism of Huaiqihuang Granules from diabetic kidneydisease(DKD)in rats and for renal cells in high-glucose environment.Methods(1)In vivo experiment:the rat model was constructed by high-fat diet feeding combined with STZ intraperitoneal injection.The experiment was divided into normal group,model group,Huaiqihuang Granules low-,medium-and high-dose groups and Losartan group,with 10 rats in each group.After corresponding treatment,the main biochemical indexes such as urinary microalbumin,fasting blood glucose,serum creatinine,total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured,and the pathological changes of renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,periodic acid Schiff's staining and Masson staining,respectively.(2)In vitro experiments:a high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell HK2 model was constructed.The experiment was divided into normal glucose group,high-glucose group,Huaiqihuang Granules group and mannitol group.After corresponding treatment,the cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay,and the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells and mitochondria was detected by 2',7'-Dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)method and MitoSOX/Hoechst 33342 staining method,respectively.Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of inflammasome-related proteins NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),cleaved-caspase-3 and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and renal fibrosis-related proteins fibronectin(FN)and type Ⅳ collagen(Col Ⅳ).Results(1)In vivo experiments,Huaiqihuang Granules significantly improved the urinary microalbumin excretion and serum creatinine,hyperglycemia and lipid metabolism disorders in DKD rats,and reduced the pathological damage of renal tissue.(2)In vitro studies,Huaiqihuang Granules significantly inhibited proliferation and ROS overproduction of high-glucose-induced HK2 cells,reduced the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the expressions of renal fibrosis-related proteins FN and Col Ⅳ in high-glucose-induced HK2 cells.Conclusion Huaiqihuang Granules has an impovement effect on DKD in rats,and its protection mechanism for renal cells in high-glucose environment is relavent to inhibiting ROS generation,activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and expression of fibrosis-related proteins.

Objective To explore the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)combined with multi-model analgesia on infrared thermal imaging characteristics and pain after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods A total of 74 patients with TKA were divided into the treatment group and the control group according to random number table method,with 37 cases in each group.The control group was treated with multi-model analgesia,and the treatment group was treated with TEAS on the basis of multi-model analgesia for 30 min,once in the morning and afternoon before the patient's rehabilitation exercise 1-7 days after surgery.The infrared thermal imaging data,visual analogue scale(VAS)score,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)score and pain threshold of the two groups were recorded and analyzed before and at different time points after operation.Results There were 2 cases dropped out in each group.Compared with before surgery,both groups had an increase in knee joint temperature on the surgical side 14 days after surgery(P<0.05),and the temperature in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The self knee temperature difference in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group 14 days after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with before surgery,the VAS score of the treatment group decreased 3 and 7 days after surgery(P<0.05),while the VAS score of the control group decreased 7 days after surgery(P<0.05);compared with the control group at 3 and 7 days after surgey,the VAS score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group.Compared with before surgery,the WOMAC scores of both groups increased 7 days after surgery(P<0.05);after 7 days of surgery,the WOMAC score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Compared with before surgery,the pain threshold values of both groups increased 7 days after surgery(P<0.05);compared with the control group at 3 and 7 days after surgery,the pain threshold values of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS combined with multi-model analgesia can reduce the temperature of the knee joint,relieve the pain of the operated limb,and promote the early functional recovery of the knee joint after TKA.Infrared thermal imaging technology has a certain application value in indirectly assessing the degree of postoperative pain and detecting early infection of the affected limb.

Objective To explore the treatment effects and mechanism of Fangji Huangqi Xiaozhong Prescription in metabolic syndrome phenotype osteoarthritis(MS-OA)based on PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,OA group,MS-OA group,Western medicine group,and TCM high-and low-dasage groups.The modified Hulth method was used to make the OA model,and OA model was added with high-carbohydrate high-fat diet to make the MS-OA model.TCM high-and low-dosage groups were given 15.12,7.56 g/kg Fangji Huangqi Xiaozhong Prescription for gavage.The Western medicine group was given 16.2 mg/kg of losoprofen sodium by gavage,while the other groups were given physiological saline by gavage once a day for 6 consecutive weeks.Rat body mass was measured,biochemical detection of blood lipids and blood glucose was conducted,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-10 and leptin,morphological changes in cartilage tissue were observed using safranin O-fixed green and HE staining,immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expressions of Acan,ColⅩ,MMP13,TNF-α,IL-1β and PPARγ in cartilage tissue,Western blot was used to detected the expression of PPARγ,NF-κBp65 and p-NF-κBp65 protein in cartilage tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,body mass and serum TC,TG,LDL-C,TNF-α,IL-1β and leptin of MS-OA group increased significantly(P<0.01),the contents of HDL-C and IL-10 decreased(P<0.01),cartilage tissue degeneration was significant,and the Mankin score increased(P<0.01),the expression of ColⅩ,MMP13,TNF-α,IL-1β,p-NF-κBp65 protein increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of Acan and PPARγ protein decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the MS-OA group,the contents of serum TC,TG,LDL-C,TNF-α and leptin decreased in TCM high-dosage group(P<0.05,P<0.01),the content of IL-10 increased(P<0.05),the pathological damage of cartilage tissue improved,the Mankin score decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of ColⅩ,MMP13,TNF-α,IL-1β and p-NF-κBp65 protein in cartilage tissue decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the protein expressions of Acan and PPARγ protein increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Fangji Huangqi Xiaozhong Prescription can improve lipid metabolism disorder,improve intra-articular inflammatory environment,balance cartilage metabolism,and delay cartilage degeneration in MS-OA rats.Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway.