This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

Starting from the intrinsic relationship between the glymphatic system and the core pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment （VCI）， including internal dampness， phlegm turbidity， and blood stasis， this paper explores clinical approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of VCI. Dysfunction of the kidney's role in governing water leads to the accumulation of dampness， phlegm turbidity， and blood stasis， which are key pathological mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of VCI. The glymphatic system participates in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the central nervous system， and its impairment can result in reduced clearance of soluble metabolic waste products in the brain， a crucial factor contributing to VCI. It is proposed that the "kidney governing water" function is related to the glymphatic system， and that the cerebral collaterals correspond structurally to the glymphatic pathways. Clinically， therapies aimed at tonifying the kidney， resolving phlegm， activating blood circulation， and unblocking collaterals， such as modified Kaixin Powder （开心散）， which eliminates dampness and turbidity， transforms phlegm， restores consciousness， enhances cognition， and strengthens the brain， are commonly employed. These treatments may improve VCI prognosis by regulating glymphatic system function， providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of VCI with traditional Chinese medicine.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

This study aims to investigate the effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on diabetic retinopathy through the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 pathway. The anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) targets of APS were identified through comprehensive searches of drug and disease-related databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of APS and metformin with Gli1 and AQP1. An in vivo T2DM rat model was established via streptozotocin (STZ) injection and treated with metformin and varying doses of APS for 12 weeks. Histological changes in retinal cells were assessed using H&E and PAS staining. The expression levels of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH in the retina were measured using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Additionally, mRNA expression of AQP1, Gli1, and SHH was quantified by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Gli1 and AQP1, key components of the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway, may be associated with T2DM. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the STZ-induced T2DM rats exhibited significant retinal damage, which was notably mitigated by both APS and metformin treatments. Furthermore, the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway was found to be overactivated in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Treatment with APS and metformin significantly reduced the elevated expression levels of SHH, Gli1, and AQP1. APS effectively inhibits retinal damage of STZinduced T2DM rats by restraining the SHH-Gli1-AQP1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huanglian Wendantang on damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy rats based on the G protein coupled bile acid receptor 5/glucagon like peptide-1 （TGR5/GLP-1） signaling pathway and intestinal flora. MethodsA total of 72 male Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were adaptively fed for one week. Twelve SD rats were randomly selected as a blank group and fed with an ordinary diet. The rest of the SD rats were fasted for 12 hours without water. A rat model with damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy was made by left intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （55 mg·kg^-1） and high sugar and high fat diet （20% sucrose solution + high fat diet） in a humid and hot environment （artificial climate box： temperature 30-34 ℃， relative humidity： 85%-95%）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into a model group， a metformin group （200 mg·kg^-1）， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose Huanglian Wendantang groups （7.10， 14.20， 28.39 g·kg^-1）， with 12 rats in each group. The normal group and the model group were orally administered with physiological saline once a day for 6 consecutive weeks. During the observation period， the weight and blood glucose levels of rats were measured and recorded weekly. After the administration， fresh feces were collected from rats， and 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to study the differences and changes in intestinal flora among different groups. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the pathological morphological changes of colon tissue were examined. The expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry， and the expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 proteins in colon tissue was measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed a decrease in body weight， an increase in blood glucose， and significant damp-heat symptoms. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 was decreased （P<0.01）， and the pathogenic bacteria were increased. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups exhibited improvements in body weight， blood glucose levels， and damp-heat syndrome in rats. Among them， the high-dose group of Huanglian Wendantang displayed the most significant improvement effect， with significantly reduced inflammation levels （P<0.01） and elevated expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 （P<0.01）. Colonic pathological sections showed that Huanglian Wendantang could effectively ameliorate colonic pathological changes. The 16S rRNA sequencing result indicated a significant increase in beneficial bacteria in the treatment groups. ConclusionHuanglian Wendantang can effectively ameliorate the damp-heat symptoms and blood glucose levels in rats with damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy， and it may exert an effect by regulating the TGR5/GLP-1 signaling pathway and intestinal flora disorder.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to use the digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO to assess the correlation between muscle tension，clinical characteristics， and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration ［also known as Wilson disease（WD）］. MethodsA total of 104 patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension（increased or decreased，hereinafter the same） who were hospitalized in the Brain Disease Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to November 2023 were selected，all of whom were subjected to TCM syndrome diagnosis and Myoton PRO for the measurement of F value of muscle tension，Goldstein， and UWDRS-N scales. The age of onset of the disease and disease duration were analyzed，and the differences and correlations of the above indexes in different TCM syndromes of WD were analyzed ResultsAmong the 104 patients with WD ，the phlegm and stasis syndrome was the most common（60 patients），followed by the damp-heat syndrome（33 patients），and the least common was the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome（11 patients）. The F value of the phlegm and stasis syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group（P<0.01）. The F value of the damp-heat syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05），and the F value of the lower limbs of each group was higher than that of the upper limbs（P<0.01）. Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of the patients in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group were higher than those in the damp-heat syndrome group and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of patients in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group. Correlation analysis revealed that the age of onset and duration of the disease were positively correlated with the F values of the lower limbs（r=0.20，P<0.05，r=0.38，P<0.01）and had no significant correlation with those of the upper limbs. The F value levels of muscle tension of all limbs in the three groups of patients were positively correlated with the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores（muscle tension of the upper limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.36，P<0.01，r=0.42，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.60，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.64，P<0.01，r=0.53，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.59，P<0.01，r=0.70，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.74，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.85，P<0.01，r=0.62，P<0.01）. Conlusion： The digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO can objectively evaluate the muscle tension level of patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension. This level has significant differences among different TCM syndromes and can evaluate the patient's condition to some extent.

Objective To investigate the effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods Zebrafish embryos (2.5 to 3 hours post-fertilization [hpf]) were exposed to 3.7 × 10⁴ Bq/mL tritiated water (tritiated water group), and those exposed to E3 culture medium were used as the control group. The mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, heart rate, body length, yolk sac area, neutrophil count in the tail, immune-related gene expression, and immune-related protein expression of zebrafish in the two groups were determined. Then transcriptome technology was used to further analyze the possible mechanism of tritiated water affecting the immune system of zebrafish. Results Compared with the control group, zebrafish at 72 hpf in the tritiated water group had no significant changes in the mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, body length, and yolk sac area((t = 0.9045, 0.5000, 1.0000, 0.7238, 0.0337, P = 0.4169, 0.6433, 0.3739, 0.4785, 0.9735), but had significantly increased heart rate(t = 4.575，P = 0.002). At 4 days post-fertilization (dpf), the neutrophil count in the tail of zebrafish in the tritiated water group was significantly increased(t = 2.563，P = 0.0196), the mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased(t = 2.891, P = 0.045), the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly increased(t = 3.848, P = 0.018), and the protein expression of NLRP3 was significantly decreased(t = 14.98, P = 0.001). At 7 dpf, the neutrophil count in the tail and the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β were significantly decreased(t = 3.772, 7.048, 15.620, 4.423, P = 0.014, 0.002, 0.0001, 0.012). Transcriptome sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the “neutrophil activation” and “platelet activation pathways” at 4 dpf and in the “neutrophil apoptosis”, “ferroptosis”, and “necroptosis” pathways at 7 dpf. Conclusion Tritiated water exposure induces a temporally dynamic immune response in zebrafish, potentially affecting immune homeostasis by regulating neutrophil activation and apoptosis, as well as the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of resveratrol-derived carbonized polymer dots (RSV-CPDs) on macrophage polarization and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) under inflammatory conditions, and to provide an experimental basis for the treatment of periodontitis with RSV-CPDs. Methods: RSV-CPDs were prepared by high-temperature pyrolysis of resveratrol (RSV) in the presence of ammonia as a catalyst, and RSV-CPDs were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). CCK8 was used to detect the cytotoxicity of RSV-CPDs. The effects of RSV-CPDs on the apoptosis and cell polarization of macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide (P.g-LPS) were detected by flow cytometry: ① For the apoptosis detection experiment, the macrophages (RAW264.7) were divided into the control group (no treatment), P.g-LPS group [treated with P.g-LPS (2 μg/mL) for 24 h], RSV group [treated with P.g-LPS (2 μg/mL) + RSV (10 μg/mL) for 24 h], and RSV-CPDs group [treated with P.g-LPS (2 μg/mL) + RSV-CPDs (50 μg/mL) for 24 h]. ② For the cell polarization experiment, the macrophages (RAW264.7) were divided into four groups. They were the control group (no treatment), P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group [P.g-LPS (200 ng/mL) + IFN-γ (20 ng/mL) treated cells for 24 h], RSV group [P.g-LPS (200 ng/mL) + IFN-γ (20 ng/mL) + RSV (10 μg / mL) treated cells for 24 h], RSV-CPDs group [P.g-LPS (200 ng / mL) + IFN-γ (20 ng / mL) + RSV-CPD (50 μg / mL) treated cells for 24 h]. The supernatant of macrophages in the above four groups of cell polarization experiments was collected and mixed with osteogenic induction medium at a 1:1 ratio to culture hPDLSCs. The hPDLSCs were divided into the control group, P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, RSV group, and RSV-CPDs group. The osteogenic trend of hPDLSCs was detected by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining (ARS). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins in hPDLSCs. Finally, transcriptome tests were used to explore the mechanism of the effect of RSV-CPDs on the phenotype of macrophages (THP-1) stimulated by inflammation. Results: TEM results showed that RSV-CPDs exhibited a uniform spherical structure. FTIR results showed the O-C=O peak of RSV-CPDs. XRD results confirmed that the newly synthesized RSV-CPDs exhibited an amorphous structure. XPS results showed that RSV-CPDs formed a hydrophilic carboxyl group. CCK-8 results showed that RSV had specific toxicity to RAW264.7 when the concentration exceeded 10 μg/mL (P = 0.011), while RSV-CPDs still had good biosafety to cells when the concentration reached 50 μg/mL (P > 0.05). Therefore, the concentration of RSV was 10 μg/mL and RSV-CPDs was 50 μg/mL. The results of flow cytometry showed that RSV-CPDs inhibited the apoptosis of macrophages under inflammatory stimulation (P = 0.008), and the inhibitory effect was better than that of its precursor RSV (P = 0.009). Compared with the P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, CD86+ cells in the RSV group and RSV-CPDs group decreased by varying degrees (P < 0.001, P = 0.004), while CD206+ cells increased by varying degrees (P = 0.006, P = 0.008), and the proportion of CD206+ cells in the RSV-CPDs group was higher than that in the RSV group (P = 0.010). Compared with the P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, the supernatant of macrophages treated with RSV-CPDs significantly increased the ALP expression (P = 0.005) and ARS level (P = 0.006) of hPDLSCs. The mRNA expression of osteogenic-related genes RUNX-2, OCN, and COL-1 significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the level of RUNX-2 protein also significantly increased (P = 0.001). Transcriptome results showed that compared with the P.g-LPS + IFN-γ group, the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway in the RSV-CPDs group showed downward trends. Conclusion RSV-CPDs can inhibit the apoptosis of macrophages in the inflammatory state, promote M2 polarization, and bolster the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. The mechanism involved may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB and TNF signaling pathways.