Effects of Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction on pulmonary fibrosis in rats and its mechanism / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction on pulmonary fibrosis of rats which induced by bleomycin.@*METHODS@#The rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal injection of bleomycin hydrochloride (5 mg/kg). Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group (group N), the model group (group M), the positive control group (group Y), group of low concentration (group LC), group of medium concentration (group MC) and group of high concentration of Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction (group HC). After 4 weeks, the experimental groups were treated with low concentration decoction, medium concentration decoction and high concentration decoction respectively, and the Y group was treated with hydrocortisone acetate, the Group N and group M were treated with saline by intragastric administration. Twelve weeks later, rats were killed and the pathomorphism of pulmonary tissues of each group was observed by HE staining and Masson staining. Further, the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), Snail1, E-cadherin and Fibronectin in pulmonary tissues of each group were detected by qTR-PCR and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, the collagen sediment in the interstitial was reduced in the experimental groups, especially in the group of medium concentration, which was observed by HE staining and Masson staining .Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Snail1 and Fibronectin protein in pulmonary tissues of the treatment groups were decreased in the experimental group, especially in the group of medium concentration, which were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.@*CONCLUSION@#Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction can significantly improve the pulmonary fibrosis which is induced by bleomycin, and the mechanism is related to the inhibition of the expression of TGF-β/Snail pathway of transcription TGF-β1.

Effect of Yiqi Huayu Huatan decoction on expression of KLF15, HMGB1,NF-κB and its downstream inflammatory factors in rats with UUO-induced renal interstitial fibrosis / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe the effect of Yiqi Huayu Huatan decoction(YHHD)on unilaterral ureteral ob-struction(UUO)-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in rats, and to investigate the possible mechanism.METHODS: Fe-male SD rats(n=48)were randomly divided into sham group, model group, telmisartan group, and low-, middle-and high-dose YHHD groups,with 8 rats in each group.The UUO model rats was established by ligating left ureter.The rats in sham group and model group were treated with equal volume of normal saline, others were treated with the corresponding drugs daily.After 12 weeks,the rats were sacrificed.The serum samples were collected for determining the concentrations of cystatin C(Cys-C)and uric acid(UA).The morphological changes of the renal tissue were observed by PAS staining. The collagen fiber was observed by Masson staining.The mRNA expression of Krüppel-like factor 15(KLF15),high-mo-bility group box protein 1(HMGB1),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),IκB,monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1),inter-leukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),fibronectin(FN),collagen type I(Col I)and Col-Ⅳwas detec-ted by real-time PCR.The protein expression of KLF15, HMGB1 and NF-κB was detected by Western blot.The protein expression of MCP-1 was determined by the method of immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the deposition rate of collagen fibers and the concentration of Cys-C in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of KLF15 was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05), while the mRNA expression of HMGB1,NF-κB,IκB,MCP-1,IL-1β,TNF-α,FN,Col I and Col Ⅳand the protein expression of HMGB1,NF-κB and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the deposition rates of collagen fibers in middle-and high-dose YHHD groups and telmisartan group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),with down-regulated protein expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB and mRNA expression of IL-1βand TNF-α(P<0.05).The protein expression of KLF15 was significantly up-regulated in high-dose YHHD group and telmisartan group(P<0.05),while the protein ex-pression of MCP-1 and the mRNA expression of FN were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).The mRNA expression of KLF15 was significantly up-regulated in high-dose YHHD group(P<0.05), while the mRNA expression of MCP-1, Col I and Col IV was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).The mRNA expression of NF-κB and IκB was significantly down-regulated and the concentration of Cys-C was significantly decreased in each dose of YHHD groups and telmisartan group(P<0.05).No significant difference of UA level among the groups was observed.CONCLUSION:YHHD allevi-ates renal interstitial fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner, and YHHD at high dose shows the most obvious effect.The mechanism may be associated with the up-regulation of KLF15 and the down-regulation of HMGB1, NF-κB and its down-stream inflammation-related factors in the renal tissue.

Mechanism of Ezhu-containing serum in inhibiting expression of Shh and Gli1 in hepatic stellate cells / 中国中药杂志

To explore the mechanism of Ezhu-containing serum in inhibiting the expression of sonic hedgehog(Shh) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog-1(Gli1) in hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) induced by leptin. Twenty sprague-dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10), and given Ezhu-decoction and physiological saline by gavage for 10 days to prepare drug-containing serums. The HSCs during the exponential growth phase were divided into 7 groups： blank control group, model group, hedgehog pathway inhibitor(cyclopamine) group, Ezhu group, Ezhu and cyclopamine group, hedgehog pathway agonost(pumorphamine) group, Ezhu and purmorphamine group. HSCs were cultured in vitro and induced with 100 μg•L ⁻¹ leptin(except for the blank control group), then treated separately with the corresponding drugs for 24 hours. After the cells were collected, HSCs proliferation was detected using MTT colorimetric assay; the expressions of Shh and Gli1 were determined by PT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. The expressions of Shh and Gli1 were significantly increased after the HSCs of rats were induced by leptin (compared with the blank control group, P<0.01). After being interfered with Hh pathway inhibitor (cyclopamine) and Ezhu-containing serum, the expressions of Shh and Gli1 were decreased significantly(compared with the model group, P<0.01). After Ezhu-containing serum was used to interfere the Hh pathway inhibitor group, the mRNA and protein expressions of Shh and Gli1 were decreased significantly(compared with the model group, P<0.01). After Ezhu-containing serum was used to interfere the purmorphamine group, the mRNA and protein expressions of Shh and Gli1 decreased significantly(compared with the purmorphamine group, P<0.01). Ezhu-containing serum plays an important role in inhibiting HSCs activation by taking part in hedgehog signaling pathway, so as to regulate the expression of Shh and Gli1 in leptin-induced HSCs and then inhibit liver fibrosis.

Effect of Ligusticum wallichii-containing serum on expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in hepatic stellate cells / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effect of Ligusticum wallichii-containing serum on the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in hepatic stellate cells. Clean-grade SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and orally given L. wallichii decoction, colchicine and normal saline for 7 d to prepare L. wallichii-containing serums. Except for the blank group, all of the remaining groups were stimulated with LPS 1 mg x L(-1) for 24 h. After being intervened, the L. wallichii-containing serums were cultured in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The expression of TLR4 and MyD88 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. After HSC was stimulated with LPS, TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly higher than the blank control group (P < 0.01). After being intervened with L. wallichii-containing serum, TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expressions were notably lower than the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In conclusion, L. wallichii-containing serum could regulate the TLR4 signaling pathway and show the anti-fibrosis effect by inhibiting the expression of TLR4 and MyD88 in LPS-induced HSCs.

Effect of Danshen-containing serum on expression of SuFu and DYRK2 in HSCs / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effects of Danshen-containing serum on SuFu and DYRK2 expression in the HSCs stimulated by leptin. SD rats (n = 60) were used to make danshen-containing serum by gastric perfusion for ten days with Danshen water decoction, normal saline and colchicine. The HSCs that were cultured in vitro would be stimulated for 24 hours by leptin (100 μg x L(-1)) except blank control group, after being intervened, the drug serum in each group would be cultured at 37 degrees C in 5% incubator. The cells would be collected after 24 hours, then the effects of danshen-containing serum on the proliferation of HSCs were detected by MTT, the expression of SuFu mRNA and DYRK2 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR, the expression of SuFu and DYRK2 proteins were tested by Western blot. Compared with blank control group, the expression of DYRK2 mRNA and DYRK2 proteins were enhanced obviously after stimulated the HSCs of rats by leptin (P < 0.01), but the expression of SuFu mRNA and SuFu proteins were decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, after cyclopamine group (Hh pathway inhibitor), Danshen-containing serum and colchicine were interfered, the expression of DYRK2 mRNA and DYRK2 proteins were decreased clearly (P < 0.01), but the expression of SuFu mRNA and SuFu proteins were increased significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Compared with model group, adding purmorphamine (Hh pathway agonist) to model group and making it activate could increase the expression of DYRK2 mRNA and DYRK2 proteins, but the expression of SuFu mRNA and SuFu proteins were decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, using the Danshen-containing serum to interfere the purmorphamine group could make the expression of DYRK2 mRNA and DYRK2 proteins decrease and the expression of SuFu mRNA and SuFu proteins increase significantly (P < 0.01). Danshen-containing serum would inhibition the activation and increment of HSCs by interfering the expression of SuFu and DYRK2 which were induced by leptin.

Study on the effect and mechanism of ascorbic acid on renal podocytes in diabetes / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect and mechanism of ascorbic acid on podocyte, last barrier of glomerular filtration, in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin injection intraperitoneally were treated by ascorbic acid for 5 weeks. The levels of blood glucose (BG), HbA1c, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and superoxide diamutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal cortex were measured. The podocyte ultrastructure was observed while the expression of desmin protein, a marker of podocyte injury, was examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, BG and HbA1c were increased markedly in diabetic group. The activities of SOD and CAT were decreased and the concentrations of MDA were increased significantly in diabetic renal cortex. There were the increased proteinic expression of desmin, foot process effacement in podocytes and UAER markedly in diabetic rats. Compared with diabetic rats, foot process effacement and the changes of UAER were ameliorated markedly while the activities of SOD were increased, the levels of MDA and proteinic expression of desmin were decreased markedly although BG, HbA1c and the activities of CAT were no significant difference in the diabetic rats by ascorbic acid treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings suggest that there are marked injury in podocyte, last barrier of glomerular filtration, in diabetic rats and administration of ascorbic acid can protect podocyte by increasing antioxidative capacity and ameliorating the renal oxidative stress.</p>