BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the Shi-pi-xiao-ji(SPXJ)herbal decoction formula is effective in suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),but the underlying mechanisms are not known.Therefore,this study i...BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the Shi-pi-xiao-ji(SPXJ)herbal decoction formula is effective in suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),but the underlying mechanisms are not known.Therefore,this study investigated whether the antitumor effects of the SPXJ formula in treating HCC were mediated by acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1(ACAT1)-regulated cellular stiffness.Through a series of experiments,we concluded that SPXJ inhibits the progression of HCC by upregulating the expression level of ACAT1,lowering the level of cholesterol in the cell membrane,and altering the cellular stiffness,which provides a new idea for the research of traditional Chinese medicine against HCC.AIM To investigate the anti-tumor effects of the SPXJ formula on the malignant progression of HCC.METHODS HCC cells were cultured in vitro with SPXJ-containing serum prepared by injecting SPXJ formula into wild-type mice.The apoptotic rate and proliferative,invasive,and migratory abilities of control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells were compared.Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the cell surface morphology and the Young’s modulus values of the control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells.Plasma membrane cholesterol levels in HCC cells were detected using the Amplex Red cholesterol detection kit.ACAT1 protein levels were estimated using western blotting.RESULTS Compared with the vehicle group,SPXJ serum considerably reduced proliferation of HCC cells,increased stiffness and apoptosis of HCC cells,inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells,decreased plasma membrane cholesterol levels,and upregulated ACAT1 protein levels.However,treatment of HCC cells with the water-soluble cholesterol promoted proliferation,migration,and invasion of HCC cells as well as decreased cell stiffness and plasma membrane cholesterol levels,but did not alter the apoptotic rate and ACAT1 protein expression levels compared with the vehicle control.CONCLUSION SPXJ formula inhibited proliferation,invasion,and migration of HCC cells by decreasing plasma membrane cholesterol levels and altering cellular stiffness through upregulation of ACAT1 protein expression.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To explore the role and mechanism of Qufeng Jiejing(祛风解痉,QFJJ)formula in the asthma progression.METHODS:The Bagg Albino/c mice treated with Ovalbumin and AL(OH)3,and airway smooth muscle cells(ASMCs)trea...OBJECTIVE:To explore the role and mechanism of Qufeng Jiejing(祛风解痉,QFJJ)formula in the asthma progression.METHODS:The Bagg Albino/c mice treated with Ovalbumin and AL(OH)3,and airway smooth muscle cells(ASMCs)treated with platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)-BB to establish a asthma model in vivo and in vitro.The cell morphology was observed with microscope and immunofluorescence staining.The cell viability was assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.The tumor necrosis factor-αlpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1beta(IL-1β),laminin,fibronectin and collagen IV levels in the ASMCs were detected with corresponding enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits.Transwell and wound healing assays were conducted to test the cell migration.The TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 levels were measured with Western blot.RESULTS:We found that QFJJ formula treatment dramatically decreased the cell viability,TNF-α,IL-1β,laminin,fibronectin and collagen IV levels in the PDGFBB stimulated ASMCs.Additionally,the protein levels of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in the PDGF-BB stimulated ASMCs were prominently depleted after QFJJ formula treatment.Besides,SRI treatment neutralized the role of QFJJ formula in the PDGF-BB stimulated ASMCs.CONCLUSION:QFJJ formula effectively relieved the asthma progression through ameliorate the ASMCs function,which was achieved through suppressing the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effects of a Chinese medicine formula“Qingxuan Runmu Yin”(QRY)on ocular surface inflammation in a rat model of dry eye,and its mechanism via the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/transforming growth ...AIM:To investigate the effects of a Chinese medicine formula“Qingxuan Runmu Yin”(QRY)on ocular surface inflammation in a rat model of dry eye,and its mechanism via the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/transforming growth factor kinase 1(TAK1)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK)signaling pathway.METHODS:Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=12 each):the control group,model group,3 groups of QRY(with low-,medium-,and high-doses),and SB203580 group.Dry eye was induced using benzalkonium chloride.Schirmer’s test(SIT)and corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)were performed every 14d throughout the experiment.Histopathological changes in corneal and conjunctival tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining.Protein expression levels of key inflammatory markers and signaling pathway targets were assessed via immunohistochemistry,ELISA,and Western blotting.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the model group showed significant reductions in SIT and increases in CFS scores,alongside structural disorganization of corneal/conjunctival tissues,decreased conjunctival goblet cell(CGC)numbers,and elevated expression of inflammatory markers[interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factoralpha(TNF-α),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9)]and pathway proteins(TLR4,p-TAK1,p-p38MAPK;P<0.05).Treatment with QRY(low,medium,and high doses)and SB203580 significantly improved SIT scores,reduced CFS scores,restored corneoconjunctival structure,increased CGC numbers,and decreased expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP9,TLR4,p-TAK1,and p-p38MAPK proteins compared to the model group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:QRY may alleviate ocular surface inflammation associated with dry eye by inhibiting the TLR4/TAK1/p38MAPK signaling pathway,highlighting its potential therapeutic efficacy for dry eye.展开更多
Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Formula(左归降糖益肾方,ZGJTYSF)in regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD)sig...Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Formula(左归降糖益肾方,ZGJTYSF)in regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD)signaling axis on pyroptosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods Fifty male specific pathogen-free(SPF)grade Goto-Kakizaki(GK)rats(12 weeks old)were fed a high-fat diet for one month to establish an early DKD model.Model establishment was confirmed when fasting blood glucose(FBG)≥11.1 mmol/L and urinary albuminto-creatinine ratio(uACR)≥30 mg/g.The successfully modeled early DKD rats were randomly divided by random number table into five groups(n=10 per group):model group;dapagliflozin group(1.0 mg/kg,by gavage,served as positive control);and low-,medium-,and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups(4.9,9.9,and 19.9 g/kg,respectively,by gavage).Age-matched male SPF Wistar rats(n=10)served as control group.Rats in control and model groups were gavaged with equivalent volumes of distilled water.Treatment lasted 12 weeks.Changes in uACR,FBG,and renal function were observed in all groups.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE),periodic acid-Schiff(PAS),and Masson staining were used to observe renal histopathological changes.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the localization and expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,and NLRP3 in rat renal tissues.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP)nick end labeling(TUNEL)was utilized to detect pyroptosis in renal tissues.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-18.Results Compared with model group,all doses of ZGJTYSF showed reductions in FBG,with medium-and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups demonstrating significant decreases at week 8 and 12(P<0.05).For uACR,all doses of ZGJTYSF groups exhibited a decreasing trend,with high-dose of ZGJTYSF group being significantly lower than low-and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups at week 12(P<0.05)and showing no significant difference from dapagliflozin group(P>0.05).No significant differences in renal function parameters(serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and uric acid)were observed among groups(P>0.05).Histopathological examination revealed milder glomerular and tubular lesions in both ZGJTYSF groups and dapagliflozin group,with renal pathological changes in high-dose of ZGJTYSF group resembling those in dapagliflozin group.Immunohistochemistry demonstrated significantly reduced expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,and NLRP3 in renal tissues of dapagliflozin group and high-dose of ZGJTYSF group compared with model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the differences in low-and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).TUNEL assay showed significantly fewer TUNEL-positive cells in renal tissues of dapagliflozin and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups(P<0.01),indicating a marked reduction in pyroptotic cells.Molecular analysis revealed that compared with model group,both dapagliflozin and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups showed significantly downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,and IL-18 in renal tissues(P<0.01),while low-and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups showed downward trends without statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion ZGJTYSF may inhibit renal pyroptosis by regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling axis,thereby preventing and treating early renal injury in DKD and delaying the onset and progression of DKD.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82074425Hunan Science and Technology Planning Project,No.2016SK2051 and No.2023SK2057the Hunan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Project,No.B2023089.
文摘BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the Shi-pi-xiao-ji(SPXJ)herbal decoction formula is effective in suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),but the underlying mechanisms are not known.Therefore,this study investigated whether the antitumor effects of the SPXJ formula in treating HCC were mediated by acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1(ACAT1)-regulated cellular stiffness.Through a series of experiments,we concluded that SPXJ inhibits the progression of HCC by upregulating the expression level of ACAT1,lowering the level of cholesterol in the cell membrane,and altering the cellular stiffness,which provides a new idea for the research of traditional Chinese medicine against HCC.AIM To investigate the anti-tumor effects of the SPXJ formula on the malignant progression of HCC.METHODS HCC cells were cultured in vitro with SPXJ-containing serum prepared by injecting SPXJ formula into wild-type mice.The apoptotic rate and proliferative,invasive,and migratory abilities of control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells were compared.Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the cell surface morphology and the Young’s modulus values of the control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells.Plasma membrane cholesterol levels in HCC cells were detected using the Amplex Red cholesterol detection kit.ACAT1 protein levels were estimated using western blotting.RESULTS Compared with the vehicle group,SPXJ serum considerably reduced proliferation of HCC cells,increased stiffness and apoptosis of HCC cells,inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells,decreased plasma membrane cholesterol levels,and upregulated ACAT1 protein levels.However,treatment of HCC cells with the water-soluble cholesterol promoted proliferation,migration,and invasion of HCC cells as well as decreased cell stiffness and plasma membrane cholesterol levels,but did not alter the apoptotic rate and ACAT1 protein expression levels compared with the vehicle control.CONCLUSION SPXJ formula inhibited proliferation,invasion,and migration of HCC cells by decreasing plasma membrane cholesterol levels and altering cellular stiffness through upregulation of ACAT1 protein expression.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences of Study on the Mechanism of Qufeng Jiejing Formula in Regulating Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Phenotypic Transformation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells in Asthma(No.CI2021A01108)Cultivation Project of The National Natural Science Foundation of China of Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences of Research on the Role of Traditional Chinese Medicines-Qufeng Jiejing in the Proliferation,Migration and Phenotypic Transformation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells in Asthma(No.XY20-17)。
文摘OBJECTIVE:To explore the role and mechanism of Qufeng Jiejing(祛风解痉,QFJJ)formula in the asthma progression.METHODS:The Bagg Albino/c mice treated with Ovalbumin and AL(OH)3,and airway smooth muscle cells(ASMCs)treated with platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)-BB to establish a asthma model in vivo and in vitro.The cell morphology was observed with microscope and immunofluorescence staining.The cell viability was assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.The tumor necrosis factor-αlpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1beta(IL-1β),laminin,fibronectin and collagen IV levels in the ASMCs were detected with corresponding enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits.Transwell and wound healing assays were conducted to test the cell migration.The TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 levels were measured with Western blot.RESULTS:We found that QFJJ formula treatment dramatically decreased the cell viability,TNF-α,IL-1β,laminin,fibronectin and collagen IV levels in the PDGFBB stimulated ASMCs.Additionally,the protein levels of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in the PDGF-BB stimulated ASMCs were prominently depleted after QFJJ formula treatment.Besides,SRI treatment neutralized the role of QFJJ formula in the PDGF-BB stimulated ASMCs.CONCLUSION:QFJJ formula effectively relieved the asthma progression through ameliorate the ASMCs function,which was achieved through suppressing the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81973908)Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(No.PL2024H224)Postgraduate Innovation Fund of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine(No.2023yjscx018).
文摘AIM:To investigate the effects of a Chinese medicine formula“Qingxuan Runmu Yin”(QRY)on ocular surface inflammation in a rat model of dry eye,and its mechanism via the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/transforming growth factor kinase 1(TAK1)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK)signaling pathway.METHODS:Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=12 each):the control group,model group,3 groups of QRY(with low-,medium-,and high-doses),and SB203580 group.Dry eye was induced using benzalkonium chloride.Schirmer’s test(SIT)and corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)were performed every 14d throughout the experiment.Histopathological changes in corneal and conjunctival tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining.Protein expression levels of key inflammatory markers and signaling pathway targets were assessed via immunohistochemistry,ELISA,and Western blotting.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the model group showed significant reductions in SIT and increases in CFS scores,alongside structural disorganization of corneal/conjunctival tissues,decreased conjunctival goblet cell(CGC)numbers,and elevated expression of inflammatory markers[interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factoralpha(TNF-α),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9)]and pathway proteins(TLR4,p-TAK1,p-p38MAPK;P<0.05).Treatment with QRY(low,medium,and high doses)and SB203580 significantly improved SIT scores,reduced CFS scores,restored corneoconjunctival structure,increased CGC numbers,and decreased expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP9,TLR4,p-TAK1,and p-p38MAPK proteins compared to the model group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:QRY may alleviate ocular surface inflammation associated with dry eye by inhibiting the TLR4/TAK1/p38MAPK signaling pathway,highlighting its potential therapeutic efficacy for dry eye.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20411)Innovative Research Group Program of Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2024JJ1007)Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2023JJ30473)。
文摘Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Formula(左归降糖益肾方,ZGJTYSF)in regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD)signaling axis on pyroptosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods Fifty male specific pathogen-free(SPF)grade Goto-Kakizaki(GK)rats(12 weeks old)were fed a high-fat diet for one month to establish an early DKD model.Model establishment was confirmed when fasting blood glucose(FBG)≥11.1 mmol/L and urinary albuminto-creatinine ratio(uACR)≥30 mg/g.The successfully modeled early DKD rats were randomly divided by random number table into five groups(n=10 per group):model group;dapagliflozin group(1.0 mg/kg,by gavage,served as positive control);and low-,medium-,and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups(4.9,9.9,and 19.9 g/kg,respectively,by gavage).Age-matched male SPF Wistar rats(n=10)served as control group.Rats in control and model groups were gavaged with equivalent volumes of distilled water.Treatment lasted 12 weeks.Changes in uACR,FBG,and renal function were observed in all groups.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE),periodic acid-Schiff(PAS),and Masson staining were used to observe renal histopathological changes.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the localization and expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,and NLRP3 in rat renal tissues.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP)nick end labeling(TUNEL)was utilized to detect pyroptosis in renal tissues.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-18.Results Compared with model group,all doses of ZGJTYSF showed reductions in FBG,with medium-and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups demonstrating significant decreases at week 8 and 12(P<0.05).For uACR,all doses of ZGJTYSF groups exhibited a decreasing trend,with high-dose of ZGJTYSF group being significantly lower than low-and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups at week 12(P<0.05)and showing no significant difference from dapagliflozin group(P>0.05).No significant differences in renal function parameters(serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and uric acid)were observed among groups(P>0.05).Histopathological examination revealed milder glomerular and tubular lesions in both ZGJTYSF groups and dapagliflozin group,with renal pathological changes in high-dose of ZGJTYSF group resembling those in dapagliflozin group.Immunohistochemistry demonstrated significantly reduced expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,and NLRP3 in renal tissues of dapagliflozin group and high-dose of ZGJTYSF group compared with model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the differences in low-and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).TUNEL assay showed significantly fewer TUNEL-positive cells in renal tissues of dapagliflozin and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups(P<0.01),indicating a marked reduction in pyroptotic cells.Molecular analysis revealed that compared with model group,both dapagliflozin and high-dose of ZGJTYSF groups showed significantly downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,and IL-18 in renal tissues(P<0.01),while low-and medium-dose of ZGJTYSF groups showed downward trends without statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion ZGJTYSF may inhibit renal pyroptosis by regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling axis,thereby preventing and treating early renal injury in DKD and delaying the onset and progression of DKD.
