1.Mechanism of Paeonol in Alleviating Alcohol-induced Liver Injury in Mice Through Regulating SCFAs-GPR43/MAPK Signaling Pathway Mediated by Intestinal Flora
Shengnan JIANG ; Qifeng WU ; Zining WANG ; Hao PU ; Guiming YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):129-139
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of paeonol on acute alcohol-induced hepatic inflammation in mice via the regulation of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-specific receptor GPR43/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: blank control group, model group, low-dose paeonol group (120 mg·kg-1), high-dose paeonol group (480 mg·kg-1), and silybin group (36.8 mg·kg-1). A mouse model of alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) was established by ad libitum administration of a Lieber-DeCarli alcohol liquid diet. Serum lipid levels, liver function, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Liver hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Oil Red O staining were performed to validate successful modeling. Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, and proteins related to the GPR43/MAPK signaling pathway in the colonic tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the protein expression of GPR43, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 in the colon. Then 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to analyze differences in intestinal flora between the model group and the high-dose paeonol group. Additionally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments were conducted to validate the regulatory effect of paeonol on ALD via modulation of intestinal flora. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed significantly elevated serum lipid levels, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokine expression (P<0.01). Liver histology revealed increased inflammatory infiltration and lipid droplet accumulation. Colonic mucosal injury and impaired intestinal barrier function were observed. Levels of MAPK pathway-related proteins in the colonic tissue were upregulated (P<0.01), while GPR43, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 protein expression levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The composition and abundance of the intestinal flora were markedly altered, with a reduced Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio and decreased relative abundances of Eubacterium, Parabacteroides, Erysipelothrix, and Adlercreutzia, alongside increased abundances of Clostridium butyricum, Enterococcus, and Helicobacter pylori in the model group. Compared with the model group, paeonol significantly reduced serum lipid levels, oxidative stress responses, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in ALD mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). It also attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, restored intestinal barrier function, and repaired the structural integrity of liver and colonic tissues. The protein expression levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and GPR43 in the colonic tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of MAPK pathway-related proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The intestinal flora dysbiosis was effectively alleviated, rendering its composition closer to that of normal mice. The efficacy of paeonol in modulating ALD was further confirmed by FMT experiments, supporting its mechanistic involvement in the SCFAs-GPR43/MAPK signaling pathway. ConclusionPaeonol exerts a protective effect against ALD in mice, which may be mediated through regulation of the SCFAs-GPR43/MAPK signaling pathway, thereby achieving anti-inflammatory effects and improving intestinal barrier function.
2.Mechanism of Paeonol in Alleviating Alcohol-induced Liver Injury in Mice Through Regulating SCFAs-GPR43/MAPK Signaling Pathway Mediated by Intestinal Flora
Shengnan JIANG ; Qifeng WU ; Zining WANG ; Hao PU ; Guiming YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):129-139
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of paeonol on acute alcohol-induced hepatic inflammation in mice via the regulation of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-specific receptor GPR43/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: blank control group, model group, low-dose paeonol group (120 mg·kg-1), high-dose paeonol group (480 mg·kg-1), and silybin group (36.8 mg·kg-1). A mouse model of alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) was established by ad libitum administration of a Lieber-DeCarli alcohol liquid diet. Serum lipid levels, liver function, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Liver hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Oil Red O staining were performed to validate successful modeling. Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, and proteins related to the GPR43/MAPK signaling pathway in the colonic tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the protein expression of GPR43, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 in the colon. Then 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to analyze differences in intestinal flora between the model group and the high-dose paeonol group. Additionally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments were conducted to validate the regulatory effect of paeonol on ALD via modulation of intestinal flora. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed significantly elevated serum lipid levels, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokine expression (P<0.01). Liver histology revealed increased inflammatory infiltration and lipid droplet accumulation. Colonic mucosal injury and impaired intestinal barrier function were observed. Levels of MAPK pathway-related proteins in the colonic tissue were upregulated (P<0.01), while GPR43, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 protein expression levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The composition and abundance of the intestinal flora were markedly altered, with a reduced Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio and decreased relative abundances of Eubacterium, Parabacteroides, Erysipelothrix, and Adlercreutzia, alongside increased abundances of Clostridium butyricum, Enterococcus, and Helicobacter pylori in the model group. Compared with the model group, paeonol significantly reduced serum lipid levels, oxidative stress responses, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in ALD mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). It also attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, restored intestinal barrier function, and repaired the structural integrity of liver and colonic tissues. The protein expression levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and GPR43 in the colonic tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of MAPK pathway-related proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The intestinal flora dysbiosis was effectively alleviated, rendering its composition closer to that of normal mice. The efficacy of paeonol in modulating ALD was further confirmed by FMT experiments, supporting its mechanistic involvement in the SCFAs-GPR43/MAPK signaling pathway. ConclusionPaeonol exerts a protective effect against ALD in mice, which may be mediated through regulation of the SCFAs-GPR43/MAPK signaling pathway, thereby achieving anti-inflammatory effects and improving intestinal barrier function.
3.Inhibition of Alcoholic Liver Injury by Paeonol Through Eubacterium-mediated TGR5/PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway
Luning ZHANG ; Lingling LIU ; Shengnan JIANG ; Qifeng WU ; Guiming YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):78-86
ObjectiveTo investigate whether paeonol exerts a protective effect on mice with alcoholic liver injury by regulating the takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP response binding element (CREB) signaling pathway mediated by Eubacterium. MethodC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, paeonol group (480 mg·kg-1), antibiotic group (Abs group), and antibiotic + paeonol group. Lieber-DeCarli liquid was used to feed C57BL/6 mice on the second day of modeling for 10 days. The blood lipids, liver function, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress levels in mice were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and oil red O staining were used to observe the morphological changes and fat accumulation in liver tissue. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to detect the diversity of intestinal microbiota in the blank, model, and paeanol groups. Western blot was used to detect the effect of paeonol on the expression levels of protein related to the signaling pathway of atresia band protein 1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, and TGR5/PKA/CREB in mouse ileal tissue. ResultCompared with those in the blank group, the blood lipids, liver function, oxidative stress levels, and the expression of inflammatory factors in the model group increased (P<0.01), and the liver fat vacuoles were obvious. The ileal mucosa was seriously damaged, and the protein contents of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and TGR5/PKA/CREB in the ileal tissue decreased significantly (P<0.01). The intestinal microbiota changed, and the proteobacteria phylum increased significantly. The ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes decreased. The relative abundance of Dubosiella newyorkensis, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other genera decreased, while the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Morganella, Providencia, and Proteus increased significantly. Compared with the model group, paeonol significantly reduced the blood lipids, liver function, oxidative stress levels, and expression of inflammatory factors in mice with alcohol diet-induced liver injury (P<0.05), decreased liver fat vacuoles, improved and restored the ileal intestinal barrier, and restored the normal structure of hepatocytes and ileal cells. The intestinal microbiota disorder caused by alcohol was improved, and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Eubacterium spp. was increased. The protein expression levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and TGR5/PKA/CREB in ileal tissue were increased (P<0.05). ConclusionPaeonol has a protective effect on alcoholic liver injury in mice, and the mechanism of action is achieved by regulating the Eubacterium-mediated TGR5/PKA/CREB signaling pathway to ensure anti-inflammatory effect and improve the intestinal barrier.
4.Investigation of a group occupational acute dimethylacetamide poisoning incident
Jian HUANG ; Xiaoyong LIU ; Jintong HE ; Jiaheng HE ; Qifeng WU ; Jiaxin JIANG
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(4):476-480
Objective To investigate and analyze a group occupational acute dimethylacetamide (DMA) poisoning incident occurred during the post-fire cleaning operation in a spandex manufacturing enterprise. Methods This study focused on the involved enterprise, employing units, poisoning patients, and workers with similar occupational exposure history from a group occupational acute chemical poisoning incident in Guangdong Province in 2023. Occupational health on-site investigation data, clinical records of poisoned patients, and occupational disease diagnostic data were collected to determine the cause of the poisoning. Results The incident occurred at a spandex manufacturing enterprise during the cleaning of polymerization reaction vessels after a fire, resulting in poisoning of six cleaning workers. The clinical symptoms of patients included varying degrees of liver function abnormalities and skin damage. All six patients wore long-tube air-supplied full-face masks during work. The patients were in a confined work space with poor ventilation, and worked more than 8 hours per day. Patients felt unwell after 5-13 days of work. Post-incident investigation revealed that the DMA exposure concentration of short term near the reaction vessels was 36.06 mg/m³. DMA accounted 13.74% to 30.09% of the volatile organic compounds in the raw and auxiliary materials and waste in the vessel. N-methylacetamide was detected in the urine of these six patients, with levels up to 1 639.78 mg/g creatinine, exceeding the occupational exposure limit (20.00 mg/g creatinine). All six patients were diagnosed as occupational acute DMA poisoning. Conclusion Occupational acute DMA poisoning mainly causes liver damage, has a latent onset, and poses a risk of group occurrence. The main causes of group poisoning are confined work space, inadequate management, insufficient protective measures, and excessive working hours.
5.Research progress in radiation-induced skin injury
Jinlong WEI ; Qin ZHAO ; Jincai LYU ; Zining TAN ; Xuanzhong WANG ; Qifeng WANG ; Jinbo YUE ; Pei YANG ; Wencheng ZHANG ; Shuang LI ; Ye ZHANG ; Xin JIANG ; Bing WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(11):1024-1032
Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment methods for malignant tumors, which can cause the radiation damage to normal tissues. Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is one of the main adverse reactions caused by radiotherapy. The main clinical manifestations of RISI are dermatitis, ulcer, erosion and necrosis, which seriously affect the quality of life and treatment effect of tumor radiotherapy patients, and even affect the overall survival of patients. The pathological mechanism of RISI is still unclear. Some studies have shown that inflammation and oxidative stress are the main causes of RISI. RISI can be divided into acute and chronic RISI according to the different onset time, and different treatment strategies can be formulated according to the severity of the injury. In this article, clinical manifestations, classification, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of RISI are comprehensively summarized.
6.Mediating effect of triglyceride-glucose index on the risk of proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Qifeng BO ; Yuyan CHEN ; Baolin GUO ; Zhijian SANG ; Danting ZHANG ; Jiang YUE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;31(3):463-469
Objective To explore the mediating effect of triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index on the risk of proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods 734 patients with T2DM who underwent routine physical examination in Quyang Road Community Health Service Center,Shanghai from March 2023 to May 2023 were enrolled.The results of basic information,biochemical indicators,abdominal ultrasound and other results were collected.All patients were divided into the normal group,microproteinuria group,and massiveproteinuria group,and stratification analyses were underwent according to glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),body mass index(BMI),TyG index,and presence or absence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Factors affecting proteinuria in T2DM patients were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of TyG index and NAFLD on proteinuria in type 2 diabetes population.Regression coefficient sequential test was used to analyze whether TyG mediates NAFLD associated proteinuria.Results There were statistically significant differences in age,BMI,urinary creatinine,HbA1c,TyG index,etc.among the normal group,microproteinuria group,and massiveproteinuria group(all P<0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in gender among the three groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that taking the HbA1c<7%and BMI<24 kg/m2 group as a reference,the patients with HbA1c≥7%and BMI≥24 kg/m2 had the highest risk of proteinuria(P=0.022),followed by the HbA1c≥7%and BMI<24 kg/m2 group(P=0.039).Taking the TyG index(7.65-8.69)as a reference,the risk of proteinuria in the(9.45-11.90)group was 3.321 times(P<0.001).The mediation effect analysis showed that the TyG mediated NAFLD associated proteinuria(P<0.001),with the mediation effect accounting for 55.70%of the total effect.Conclusion TyG index may be an independent risk factor for proteinuria in patients with T2DM,and the prevalence of proteinuria is high in patients with poor control in HbA1c and excessive BMI,and TyG may partially mediate the risk of proteinuria in patients with T2DM.
7.Surgical treatment and prognosis analysis of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a report of 2 766 cases
Kunhan NI ; Changding LI ; Longlin JIANG ; Wenwu HE ; Chenghao WANG ; Kangning WANG ; Guangyuan LIU ; Lin PENG ; Qiang FANG ; Wenguang XIAO ; Liang QIAO ; Qifeng WANG ; Yongtao HAN ; Xuefeng LENG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2023;22(10):1199-1204
Objective:To investigate the surgical treatment and prognosis of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 766 patients with thoracic ESCC who were admitted to Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute from January 2010 to December 2017 were collected. There were 2 256 males and 510 females, aged (62±8)years. All patients underwent surgical treatment. Observation indicators: (1) treatment; (2) postoperative complications; (3) postoperative survival. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival rate, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Result:(1) Treatment. Fifty-two of the 2 766 patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy. There were 1 444 patients undergoing open surgery, including 44 cases conversion to thoracotomy, and there were 1 322 patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy. There were 1 991, 729 and 46 cases with McKeown, Ivor-Lewis and Sweet esophagectomy, respectively. One thousand two hundred and seventy-one of the 2 766 patients underwent postoperative adjuvant therapy. The number of lymph node metastases, the number of lymph node dissected, rate of R 0 resection, operation time of 2 766 patients were 2.1(0,3.0), 22±12, 94.722%(2 620/2 766), (237±66)minutes. (2) Postoperative complications. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 25.850%(715/2 766). The top two postoperative complications were pneumonia and anastomotic fistula, with incidence rates of 8.604%(238/2766) and 7.484%(207/2766), respectively. One patient may have more than two kinds of postoperative complications. (3) Postoperative survival. The 1-, 3-and 5-year overall survival rates of 2 766 patients were 86.2%, 57.5% and 46.8%, respectively. Further analysis indicated that the 5-year overall survival rates of 510 female patients and 2 256 male patients were 62.0% and 43.3%, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=48.94, P<0.05). The 5-year overall survival rates of 693 cases with upper thoracic ESCC, 1 479 cases with middle thoracic ESCC and 594 cases with lower thoracic ESCC were 49.5%, 46.7% and 44.1%, respectively, showing no significant difference among them ( χ2=3.21, P>0.05). The 5-year overall survival rates of 68 cases with stage 0 thoracic ESCC, 259 cases with stage Ⅰ esophageal ESCC, 885 cases with stage Ⅱ thoracic ESCC, 1 222 cases with stage Ⅲ thoracic ESCC, and 332 cases with stage Ⅳ thoracic ESCC were 95.6%, 76.4%, 61.4%, 35.6%, and 14.5%, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( χ2=500.40, P<0.05). The 5-year overall survival rates of 1 444 patients undergoing open esophagectomy and 1 322 patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy were 42.5% and 51.8%, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=31.29, P<0.05). The 5-year overall survival rates of 1 991 cases undergoing McKeown esophagectomy, 729 cases undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy, and 46 cases undergoing Sweet esophagectomy were 49.5%, 41.2%, and 32.3%, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( χ2=19.19, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with open esophagectomy, minimally invasive esophagectomy brings survival benefits to patients with thoracic esophageal ESCC. Among different esophagectomy methods, the McKeown esophagectomy has also brought survival benefits to patients with esophageal ESCC compared to the Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and the Sweet esophagectomy.
8.Optimization of processing technology of Portulaca oleracea charcoal and its improvement effect on the symptom of hemorrhoid model rats
Bingran WANG ; Jing CHEN ; Xintong LI ; Changpeng JIANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Qifeng MA ; Hongmei GAO
China Pharmacy 2022;33(5):592-596
OBJECTIVE To optimize th e p rocessing technology of Portulaca oleracea charcoal,and to investigate its improvement effect on the symptom of hemorrhoid model rats. METHODS The effects of roasting temperature ,dosage and roasting time on the processing technology of P. oleracea charcoal were investigated with Box-Behnken response surface methodology using comprehensive score of tannin content ,water-soluble extract content and appearance properties as the index. The optimal process parameters are selected and verified. The hemorrhoid model rats were treated with P. oleracea charcoal(0.8 g/mL)prepared by the optimal processing technology ,once a day ,for 11 days. After last medication ,the perianal pathological score of hemorrhoid model rats were performed ;serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 6(IL-6)and IL- 1β were detected. RESULTS The optimal processing technology of P. oleracea charcoal included roasting temperature of 200 ℃, dosage of 150 g and roasting time of 14 min. Results of validation test showed that the comprehensive score of P. oleracea charcoal was 92.57,and relative error of it with predicted value (96.59)was -4.13%. External use of P. oleracea charcoal 0.8 g/mL prepared by the optimal processing technology could significantly promote the wound healing of hemorrhoid model rats ,reduced the amount of exudate ,and decreased the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-β in serum. CONCLUSIONS The optimized processing technology of P. oleracea charcoal is feasible. P. oleracea charcoal prepared by the optimized processing technology has good curative effect on the symptom of hemorrhoid model rats.
9.Clinical Effect of Bushen Shengxue Prescription on Chronic Aplastic Anemia and Its Effect on T Cell Subsets and Expression of T-bet and GATA3
Rui LI ; Yubin DING ; Wenru WANG ; Peizhen JIANG ; Jinhuan WANG ; Ruirong XU ; Shulian YANG ; Tao WANG ; Qifeng LIU ; Haixia WANG ; Antao SUN ; Jianping SHEN ; Yamei XU ; Jianying LI ; Yuhong YAO ; Xiaoqing DING ; Zhexin SHI ; Yongming ZHOU ; Qi HU ; Xiaohui SHEN ; Yonggang XU ; Feng LIU ; Rou MA ; Xudong TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(15):94-101
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Bushen Shengxue prescription and Yiqi Yangxue prescription in the treatment of chronic aplastic anemia and the effect on T cell subsets and the expression of T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3). MethodA total of 585 patients with chronic aplastic anemia who were treated in 19 hospitals in China from May 2018 to June 2021 were enrolled. With the prospective, double-blind and randomized control methods, the patients were randomized into three groups: kidney deficiency group, Qi and blood deficiency group, and control group. The three groups were respectively treated with Bushen Shengxue prescription granule, Yiqi Yangxue prescription granule, and Placebo (half the dose of Bushen Shengxue formula granules). In addition, all of them were given oral cyclosporin and androgen. The treatment lasted 6 months, with 3 months as a course. The blood routine indexes, T cell subsets, and fusion genes T-bet and GATA3 before and after treatment were analyzed, and the safety indexes were monitored. ResultDuring the observation, a total of 75 cases dropped out and 18 were rejected. Finally, 161 cases in the kidney deficiency group, 164 in the Qi and blood deficiency group, and 167 in the control group were included. After 6 months of treatment, the total effective rate was 98.8% (159/161) in the kidney deficiency group, which was higher than the 79.9% (131/164) in the Qi and blood deficiency group (χ2=30.135, P<0.01) and the 61.7% (103/167) in the control group (χ2=70.126, P<0.01). The total effective rate was higher in the Qi and blood deficiency group than in the control group (χ2=13.232, P<0.01). After treatment, the hemoglobin (HGB) content increased significantly in three groups (P<0.05) as compared with that before treatment, particularly the kidney deficiency group (P<0.01). After treatment, the white blood cell (WBC) count and platelet (PLT) count in the kidney deficiency group and the control group increased compared with those in the Qi and blood deficiency group (P<0.01). There was no specific difference in neutrophils (ANC) after treatment among the three groups. At the same time point, the level of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, Th1/Th2 ratio (P<0.05), level of CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (P<0.05) were significantly low in the kidney deficiency group among three groups. There was no significant difference in CD19-, HLA/DR+, and CD25+ between the kidney deficiency group and the other two groups, but the T-bet of the kidney deficiency group and the control group was lower than that of the Qi and blood deficiency group (P<0.05). ConclusionBushen Shengxue prescription exerts therapeutic effect on the aplastic anemia by improving the immunoregulatory mechanism, inhibiting the activity of immune system, modulating T cell subsets, suppressing Th1 and CD4+, and promoting bone marrow hematopoiesis. Moreover, it is safe with little side effects, which is worthy of further promotion.
10.Kidney function change after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension.
Jiaqi FAN ; Changjie YU ; Kaida REN ; Wanbing LIN ; Stella NG ; Zexin CHEN ; Xinping LIN ; Lihan WANG ; Qifeng ZHU ; Yuxin HE ; Jubo JIANG ; Xianbao LIU ; Jian'an WANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2021;22(3):241-247

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