Label-free quantitative proteomics reveals fibrinopeptide B and heparin cofactor II as potential serum biomarkers in respiratory syncytial virus-infected mice treated with Qingfei oral liquid formula / 中国天然药物

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections. Qingfei oral liquid (QFOL), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in clinical treatment for RSV-induced pneumonia. The present study was designed to reveal the potential targets and mechanism of action for QFOL by exploring its influence on the host cellular network following RSV infection. We investigated the serum proteomic changes and potential biomarkers in an RSV-infected mouse pneumonia model treated with QFOL. Eighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: RSV pneumonia model group (M), QFOL-treated group (Q) and the control group (C). Serum proteomes were analyzed and compared using a label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 172 protein groups, 1009 proteins, and 1073 unique peptides were successfully identified. 51 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified (15 DEPs when M/C and 43 DEPs when Q/M; 7 DEPs in common). Classification and interaction network showed that these proteins participated in various biological processes including immune response, blood coagulation, complement activation, and so forth. Particularly, fibrinopeptide B (FpB) and heparin cofactor II (HCII) were evaluated as important nodes in the interaction network, which was closely involved in coagulation and inflammation. Further, the FpB level was increased in Group M but decreased in Group Q, while the HCII level exhibited the opposite trend. These findings not only indicated FpB and HCII as potential biomarkers and targets of QFOL in the treatment of RSV pneumonia, but also suggested a regulatory role of QFOL in the RSV-induced disturbance of coagulation and inflammation-coagulation interactions.

Label-free quantitative proteomics reveals fibrinopeptide B and heparin cofactor II as potential serum biomarkers in respiratory syncytial virus-infected mice treated with Qingfei oral liquid formula / 中国天然药物

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections. Qingfei oral liquid (QFOL), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in clinical treatment for RSV-induced pneumonia. The present study was designed to reveal the potential targets and mechanism of action for QFOL by exploring its influence on the host cellular network following RSV infection. We investigated the serum proteomic changes and potential biomarkers in an RSV-infected mouse pneumonia model treated with QFOL. Eighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: RSV pneumonia model group (M), QFOL-treated group (Q) and the control group (C). Serum proteomes were analyzed and compared using a label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 172 protein groups, 1009 proteins, and 1073 unique peptides were successfully identified. 51 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified (15 DEPs when M/C and 43 DEPs when Q/M; 7 DEPs in common). Classification and interaction network showed that these proteins participated in various biological processes including immune response, blood coagulation, complement activation, and so forth. Particularly, fibrinopeptide B (FpB) and heparin cofactor II (HCII) were evaluated as important nodes in the interaction network, which was closely involved in coagulation and inflammation. Further, the FpB level was increased in Group M but decreased in Group Q, while the HCII level exhibited the opposite trend. These findings not only indicated FpB and HCII as potential biomarkers and targets of QFOL in the treatment of RSV pneumonia, but also suggested a regulatory role of QFOL in the RSV-induced disturbance of coagulation and inflammation-coagulation interactions.

Regulation of BuShen ZhuYun Decotion on gonadotropin in rat pituitary cells / 医学研究生学报

Objective The mechanism of luteal phase defect remains unclear. To investigate the mechanism of BuShen ZhuYun Decoction on the gonadotropin secretion in the pituitary gland, we observed the effects of medicated serum of BuShen ZhuYun Decotion on the secretion of gonadotropin-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteotropic hormone (LH) in rat pituitary cells.Methods The BuShen ZhuYun Decotion was administered to the female SD rats by gavage to prepare the serum containing BuShen ZhuYun Decoction. The CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of cetrorelix acetate powder for injection, medicated serum and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on cell activity. In the maximum non-toxic concentration, we used cetrorelix acetate powder for injection to block the GnRH receptor (GnRHR) in pituitary cells and established the GnRHR antagonistic model. Then we treat the model group with medicated serum (model group). Moreover, we established the blank group (normal pituitary cells), the cetrorelix group (intervented with cetrorelix for 6 hours), and medicated serum group (intervented with medicated serum for 24 hours). 20nmol/L GnRH was used to stimulate cells for 6h. The contents of FSH and LH in the supernatant of each group and the mRNA expression of FSHβ, LHβ and GnRHR were detected.Results Compared with that of the blank group, the supernatant levels of FSH and LH in the Cetrorelix group decreased significantly \[(3.91±0.36) mIU/mL vs (2.26±0.22) mIU/mL, (8.94±0.57) mIU/mL vs (3.35±0.59) mIU/mL, P<0.05)\]. In contrast, the levels of LH significantly increased \[(8.94±0.57) mIU/mL vs (10.79±0.60) mIU/mL, P<0.05)\]; Compared with the cetrorelix group, the levels of FSH and LH in both medicated serum group and model group increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the mRNA level of FSH and LH in the cetrorelix group decreased significantly \[(0.95±0.23) mIU/mL vs (0.58±0.12) mIU/mL, (0.98±0.14) mIU/mL vs (0.27±0.21) mIU/mL, P<0.01) \], and the mRNA expression of GnRHR increased in the cetrorelix group \[(0.97±0.13) mIU/mL vs (1.77±0.26) mIU/mL, P<0.01) \]; The mRNA levels of FSH and LH in the medicated serum group were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the cetrorelix group, the mRNA expression of FSHβ mRNA and LHβ were both increased in the medicated serum group and model group (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of GnRHR decreased (P<0.01).Conclusion It is suggested that the therapeutic mechanism of BuShen ZhuYun Decotion may be related to the improvement of GnRH receptor expression.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics of cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla and its wild type / 药学学报

This work was designed to investigate proteins differentially expressed in cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla and its wild type using iTRAQ proteomics approach. The extracted proteins were digested using FASP method and identified by iTRAQ coupled with LC-MS/MS technology and then analyzed by Protein Pilot 5.0 search engine. Proteins differentially expressed were searched through comparison of relatively quantified proteins. The analysis was conducted using GO (gene ontology), KEGG and STRING. A total of 3 775 proteins were detected, among them, 3 676 proteins can be quantified, of which 127 proteins were up-regulated and 205 were down-regulated in cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla. We found 71 significantly differentially expressed proteins for further analysis. These proteins were classified into nine categories:heat shock proteins, transferases, oxidoreductases, lyases, isomerases, ligases, hydrolases, tubulin and translocases. The results indicated that the carbohydrate and cellular amino acids metabolism of cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla were weaker than its wild type and its ability of responding to stress was much stronger. GWD1, PHS1, GBE1, PGM, and BAM1 are the important proteins to regulate sucrose; metE and CYS are the key proteins that regulate amino acids in cultivated and wild Pseudostellaria heterophylla. This will provide the basic information for exploring the cause of secondary metabolites differences in different ecotype of Pseudostellaria heterophylla and the protein mechanism of its quality formation.

Effect of respiratory syncytial virus-related pulmonary infection on endogenous metabolites in large intestinal mucosa in mice / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related pulmonary infection on endogenous metabolites in large intestinal mucosa in BALB/c mice using metabolomics technology based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were randomly divided into a control group and a RSV pneumonia model group (n=16 each). The mouse model of RSV pneumonia was established using intranasal RSV infection (100×TCID, 50 μL/mouse, once a day). After 7 days of intranasal RSV infection, the mice were sacrificed and GC-MS was used to identify endogenous metabolites and measure the changes in their relative content in colon tissue. SMCA-P12.0 software was used to perform principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) for endogenous metabolites in colon tissue. The differentially expressed metabolites in colon tissue were imported into the metabolic pathway platform Metaboanalyst to analyze related metabolic pathways.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCA and OPLS-DA showed significant differences between the control and RSV pneumonia model groups. A total of 32 metabolites were identified in the colon tissue of the mice with RSV pneumonia. The RSV pneumonia model group had significant increases in the content of leucine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, arachidonic acid, and lactic acid, which were related to the valine, leucine, isoleucine, arachidonic acid, and pyruvic acid metabolic pathways.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RSV pneumonia might cause metabolic disorders in the large intestinal tissue in mice.</p>

Metabolomics analysis of Tripterygium wilfordii formulation based on theory of detoxicity compatibility / 中国中药杂志

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. induced-hepatotoxicity was the main limitation for its usage in clinic. Qingluo Tongbi formulation showed obvious attenuation for hepatotoxicity in clinic and fundamental research in vivo. To explore the potential mechanism of the attenuation, we conducted a study on the plasma metabolomic profiles of T. wilfordii and Qingluo Tongbi formulation in rats by a sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method. In plasma samples, a total of 72 compounds were analyzed by EI source MS, and were successfully identified by matching NIST database. The semi-quantification results were then calculated by OPLS-DA model with SIMCA-P 13.0 software. The three groups were clearly distinguished in OPLS-DA score plot. In addition, the observation values of Qingluo Tongbi formulation showed the obvious trend towards the control levels, suggesting the detoxicity effect of the formulation. Variation metabolites were further analyzed by VIP and One Way ANOVAs, and the results showed a significant increase in compounds of glycogenic amino acids, such as alanine, proline, serine and glutamine after the administration of T. wilfordii, indicated that the tissue proteins were decomposed and amino acids were leakage into blood. Qingluo Tongbi formulation could reverse the amino acids into normal level. On the contrary, the levels of glucose, lactic acid and hydroxy butyrate decrease, and the formulation can relieve the disorder in the levels of lactic acid, suggesting the regulation of the energy metabolism. Additionally, the level of branched chain amino acid was decreased, suggested the toxicity was induced, but the formulation cannot increase it into the normal levels. Nevertheless, all the above results suggested that the classical Qingluo Tongbi formulation displayed the liver protection effect by adjusting the amino acid levels and regulating the energy metabolism. Qingluo Tongbi formulation was developed based on traditional Chinese medicine theory "detoxicity compatibility", and contained Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen to nourish blood and absorb clots. Modern pharmacology suggested that its liver protection effect was correlated with the promotion of protein synthesis. Another important herb is Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch., which can regulate the energy metabolism. Both were consistent with the metabolomic results in this study, which explained the potential mechanism of "detoxicity compatibility" theory. Therefore, the currently developed metabolomic approach and the obtained results would be highly useful for the comprehensive toxicity studies for other herbal medicines and various complex deoxicity formulations.

Regulation of Jinxin Oral Liquid for the expression of negative regulatory factor of TLR3 signaling pathway SOCS1 in RSV infected BALB/c mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulation trend of Jinxin Oral Liquid (JXOL) on the expression of negative regulatory factor of TLR3 signaling pathway SOCS1 in the lung tissue of RSV infected BALB/c mice at different time points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 75 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the ribavirin group, the high dose JXOL group, and the equivalent dose JXOL group, 15 in each group. Each group had 3 intervention ways (I, II, and III) with 5 mice treated in each group. BALB/c mice were nasally infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and treated by different intervention ways. After intervention, mice were killed and their lung tissues were sampled, mRNA expression levels of RSV-M, SOCS1, and IFN-β were detected by Real time PCR. The expression of SOCSl at the protein level was detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression level of SOCS1 and IFN-β, and the protein expression level of SOCS1 increased significantly in the model group intervened by intervention I and II (all P < 0.01), but the mRNA expression level of IFN-β decreased significantly in model group intervened by intervention III (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression level of RSV-M all significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of SOCS1 significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and III and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of IFN-β significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and II and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I (all P < 0.01), while it significantly increased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention III and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention III (all P < 0.01). The protein expression level of SOCS1 significantly decreased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01), while it significantly increased in the high dose JXOL group intervened by intervention III (all P < 0.01). Compared with the high dose JXOL group, the mRNA expression level of RSV-M decreased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I and II (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression level of SOCS1 and IFN-β decreased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention I (P < 0.01), but the mRNA expression level of IFN-β increased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by intervention II and III (all P < 0.01). The protein expression level of SOCS1 decreased significantly in the equivalent dose JXOL group intervened by 3 intervention ways (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>JXOL could inhibit the expression of SOCS1 in the lung tissue of RSV infected BALB/c mice at different time points. Its regulatory effect might be associated with promoting the expression of interferon type I and further fighting against RSV.</p>

Location and relative quantity of flavonoids in the leaf of Apocynum venetum / 药学学报

In this study, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to determine the location and relative quantity of flavonoids in the leaves of Apocynum venetum L. from the top, middle and basal parts of the branch. The leaves of the plants of one, two and three years old, separately, were collected in July. ANOVA and LSD test were employed in the statistical analysis. The results indicated that flavonoids located mainly in xylem conduit of vein, collenchyma, epidermic cells and cuticle. The data of flavonoids contents under statistical analysis showed that difference existed in the leaves of different parts and different ages. This study provided the reliable scientific material about the analysis of the ecological and the exploitation of the leaves of Apocynum venetom L.