Mechanism of Flemiphilippinin D Regulating Inflammatory Response in CIA Rats Through TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Flemiphilippinin D on collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） in rats and explore its mechanism. MethodForty rats were randomly divided into normal group， CIA group， methotrexate （MTX） group （1.35 mg·kg-1）， low-dose Flemiphilippinin D group （1.5 mg·kg-1）， and high-dose Flemiphilippinin D group （3.0 mg·kg-1）， with eight rats in each group. Except for the normal group， the CIA model was induced by type Ⅱ collagen. Each group was given corresponding liquid medicine or normal saline， once a week in the MTX group， and once a day in the Flemiphilippinin D groups for a total of 28 days. The arthritis score and joint swelling degree of rats were experimentally recorded. Pathological changes in the ankle joint of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， IL-8， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） p65 were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein expressions of TLR2， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the ankle joint of the CIA group was significantly swollen， and the clinical score of arthritis and the degree of joint swelling were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The ankle joint tissue structure was significantly damaged， and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA levels and protein levels of TLR2， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the CIA group， arthritis clinical score and joint swelling of rats in each administration group were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the pathological changes in the ankle joint were significantly improved. The contents of serum IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA levels and protein levels of TLR2， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the ankle joint were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTo a certain extent， Flemiphilippinin D can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors in rheumatoid arthritis rats and play a good therapeutic effect. It works perhaps by inhibiting the activation of the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and thus shows an anti-inflammatory effect.

Expression of lnc-MyD88 and its relationship with the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To explore the expression of long non-coding RNA-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (lnc-MyD88) and its relationship with the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).Methods:A total of 70 EOC patients who underwent initial cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based drugs combined with paclitaxel for 6 to 8 courses were selected at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2016 to January 2019. The fresh cancer tissue specimens were collected. In addition, 28 fresh normal ovarian tissues from patients who underwent surgery for benign gynecological diseases during the same period were collected as control group. Reverse transcription (RT) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to detect the expression of lnc-MyD88 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) mRNA in EOC tissues and normal ovarian tissues. The correlation between the expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA in EOC was analyzed by Pearson′s correlation coefficient. The relationship between lnc-MyD88 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EOC was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of patients. The log-rank test was used for univariate survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate survival analysis.Results:(1) RT-qPCR showed that the relative expression level of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA in EOC were 0.009 (0.000-0.049) and 0.001 (0.000-0.006), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of normal ovarian tissues (all P<0.01); Pearson′s correlation coefficient showed that the expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA in EOC was positively correlated ( r2=0.610, P<0.01). (2) The high expression rate of lnc-MyD88 in EOC patients with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and chemotherapy resistance (71%, 64% and 70%, respectively) were significantly higher than the patients in control group (41%, 40% and 35%, respectively; all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant in the high expression rate of lnc-MyD88 in EOC patients with different ages, pathological types, pathological grades, surgical pathological stages, postoperative residual lesion size, and ascites cancer cells (all P>0.05). (3) Univariate analysis showed that surgical pathological staging, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, postoperative residual tumor size, and high expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA significantly affected the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of EOC patients (all P<0.05), ascites cancer cells were the risk factors that significantly affected PFS in EOC patients ( P=0.040); multivariate analysis showed that surgical pathological staging and high expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA were independent factors affecting PFS and OS in EOC patients (all P<0.05), the size of residual lesions after surgery was an independent factor affecting PFS in EOC patients ( P=0.001). Conclusions:The level of lnc-MyD88 expression in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly increased. Lnc-MyD88, as a molecular marker for the poor prognosis of EOC, is related to the expression of MyD88 in EOC, and may be involved in its expression regulation, thereby affecting the survival and prognosis of EOC patients.

Effect of salvianolic acid on behaviors and brain inflammatory factors in depression model rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid on depressive behavior in depression model rats induced by chronic mild stress (CMS) and its mechanism.Methods:Fifty healthy male clean grade Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into five groups according to a random number table with 10 in each group: control group (nCMS+ Nal group), CMS+ normal saline group (CMS+ Nal group), CMS+ fluoxetine group (CMS+ Flu group), CMS+ salvia acid group (CMS+ Sal group), CMS+ fluoxetine+ Salvia acid group (CMS+ Flu+ Sal group). Except the control group, the rats in the other four groups were all received CMS modeling for 21 days. Twenty-one days after CMS modeling, rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0.9% normal saline (10 mg·kg -1·d -1), fluoxetine (20 mg·kg -1·d -1), salvia acid(40 mg·kg -1·d -1), fluoxetine(20 mg·kg -1·d -1)+ salvia acid(40 mg·kg -1·d -1)for 21 days. During the administration period, rats in the other four groups continued to receive CMS intervention for 21 days. Forced swimming test and sucrose preference test were conducted at baseline (day 0), after modeling (day 21) and after intervention (day 42) so as to evaluate depression like behavior. Then the rats were sacrificed and the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were taken. The mRNA levels of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) were detected by RT-qPCR. The cytokines including interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-2(IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by Luminex technique.SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis.Repeated measurement ANOVA was used for behavioral data analysis, one-way ANOVA was used for molecular index data analysis, and Spearman was used for correlation analysis. Results:The results of repeated measurement ANOVA showed that the interaction effects between group and time of body mass, sucrose preference, forced swimming immobility time were significant at baseline, after modeling and after intervention ( F=18.238, 6.921, 7.591, all P<0.05). After modeling, compared with nCMS+ Nal group, the rats in CMS+ Flu group, CMS+ Sal group, CMS+ Flu+ Sal group and CMS+ Nal group had lower body weight, lower sucrose preference rate and longer forced swimming immobility time (all P<0.05). After intervention, compared with CMS+ Nal group(body weight (350.15±41.65)g, sucrose preference(52.95±11.13)%, static time(91.40±15.22)s), the body weight((378.21±30.78)g, (385.12±43.19)g, (391.41±31.21)g, (402.33±18.67)g, all P<0.05) and sucrose preference((69.30±15.56)%, (68.12±10.99)%, (71.18±9.51)%, (75.47±11.55)%, all P<0.05) of CMS+ Flu group, CMS+ Sal group, CMS+ Flu+ Sal group and nCMS+ Nal group were all increased, while the forced swimming immobility time ((68.81±21.74)s, (66.10±25.51)s, (63.53±22.32)s, (71.21±21.41)s, all P<0.05) were shorter (all P<0.05). After intervention, among the body weight, sucrose preference and the immobility time of CMS+ Flu group、CMS+ Sal group and CMS+ Flu+ Sal group, there were no differences between each two groups(all P>0.05). After intervention, the levels of TLR4 mRNA and MyD88 mRNA in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of CMS+ Flu group, CMS+ Sal group, CMS+ Flu+ Sal group and nCMS+ Nal group were all lower than those in CMS+ Nal group (all P<0.05). In prefrontal cortex, the levels of TLR4 mRNA (0.715±0.358) and MyD88 mRNA (0.739±0.233) in CMS+ Flu+ Sal group were lower than those in CMS+ Sal group (1.943±0.606, 1.815±0.897) (both P<0.05). The level of TLR4 mRNA in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats were positively correlated with the level of MyD88 mRNA and TNF-α level and forced swimming immobility time and negatively correlated with sucrose preference rate (prefrontal cortex r=0.915, 0.041, 0.027, -0.178, all P<0.05; hippocampus r=0.810, 0.070, 0.011, -0.153, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The antidepressant effect of salvianolic acid is presumedly achieved by inhibiting the immunoinflammatory response mediated by the TLR4/Myd88 signaling pathway in CMS rats.

Total Glucosides of Paeony Improve Renal Injury in Mice with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Regulating TLR9/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effect of total glucosides of paeony （TGP） on the renal injury of MRL/lpr mice based on the Toll-like receptor 9 （TLR9）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway and explore the immunological mechanism of TGP in preventing and treating systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）. MethodMRL/lpr female mice of SPF grade were randomly divided into a model group， a dexamethasone group （0.15 g·kg-1）， and high- （0.078 g·kg-1） and low-dose （0.039 g·kg-1） TGP groups， and female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to a blank group， with 7 mice in each group. Mice in each group were treated with corresponding drugs or normal saline by gavage at the same time every day. After 4 weeks， samples were collected. The kidney and spleen were weighed， and the organ index was calculated. Serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels in each group were detected by biochemical assay. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the kidney. The degree of renal fibrosis was evaluated by Masson staining. The serum levels of interleukin （IL）-2， interferon （IFN）-α， IL-4， and anti-nuclear antibody （ANA） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression of TLR9， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in renal tissues was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of TLR9 and NF-κB p65 in renal tissues was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of TLR9， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in renal and spleen tissues was tested by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increased SCr， BUN， spleen index， and kidney index （P<0.05）， deteriorated pathological injury and fibrosis in renal tissues， elevated serum levels of IFN-α， IL-4， and ANA， decreased level of IL-2 （P<0.05）， and up-regulated TLR9， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein levels in the kidney and spleen （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the TGP groups displayed reduced SCr， BUN， spleen index， and kidney index （P<0.05）， relieved pathological damage and fibrosis in renal tissues， decreased serum levels of IFN-α， IL-4， and ANA （P<0.05）， increased level of IL-2， and declining mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR9， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the kidney and spleen （P<0.05）. ConclusionTGP may inhibit the expression of downstream inflammatory factors to regulate immunity and resist SLE-induced renal injury by regulating the TLR9/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Mechanism of Scutellariae Radix-Paeoniae Radix Rubra Combination of Different Proportions Against Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Scutellariae Radix （SR）-Paeoniae Radix Rubra （PRR） combination of different proportions on the expression of the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear transcription factor κB （NF-κB） and phosphatidylinositol kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathways in liver tissues of rats with hepatic fibrosis and explore the mechanism against hepatic fibrosis. MethodSixty male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a normal group， a model group， a positive control （silymarin） group， and SR-PRR 1∶1， SR-PRR 1∶2， and SR-PRR 1∶4 groups， with 10 rats in each group. The hepatic fibrosis model was induced in rats except for those in the normal group by intraperitoneal injection of 40% tetrachloromethane （CCl4）-olive oil solution at 3 mL·kg-1， 5 mL·kg-1 for the first time， for 8 weeks， twice per week. After 4 weeks， rats were treated correspondingly at 10 mL·kg-1 by intragastric administration， and the body weight of rats in each group was weighed for 8 weeks. After administration， histopathological changes in the liver were observed. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， albumin （ALB）， alkaline phosphatase （AKP）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and hydroxyproline （HYP） content in liver tissues were detected. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in the liver of rats were detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the model group， SR-PRR combination of different proportions could recover the body weight and improve the pathological injury of the liver. As revealed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） results， compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased ALT， AST， HA， LN， AKP， MDA， and HYP levels to different degrees （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the groups with drug intervention showed decreased levels of ALT， AST， HA， LN， AKP， MDA， and HYP， potentiated SOD activity， and increased level of ALB （P<0.05）. As revealed by Real-time PCR results， compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased mRNA expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the groups with drug intervention showed reduced mRNA expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in the liver of rats （P<0.05）. ConclusionSR-PRR combination of different proportions can improve the histopathological injury in liver tissues caused by CCl4， with the optimal effect observed in the SR-PRR 1∶4 group. SR-PRR may inhibit the development of liver fibrosis by inhibiting the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways， thereby alleviating chemical-induced liver injury.

Qiling Tongluo Prescription Improves Renal Injury in Rats with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy by Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qiling Tongluo prescription against idiopathic membranous nephropathy （IMN） in rats based on Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear transcription factor-κB （TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， benazepril hydrochloride （10 mg·kg-1） group， and low-，medium-， and high-dose （6.48， 12.95， and 25.9 g·kg-1） Qiling Tongluo prescription groups. The IMN rat model was established by injection of cationized bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） into the tail vein. After the model was successfully prepared， the rats were gavaged with the corresponding drugs， once a day， for four consecutive weeks. After the treatment， the pathological changes in rat kidneys were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and periodic acid-silver metheramine （PASM） staining， followed by the detection of 24 h urinary total protein （24 h UTP）， plasma albumin （ALB）， total serum protein （TP）， serum creatinine （SCr）， urea nitrogen （BUN）， and uric acid （UA） levels. The levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB in the kidney tissue were assayed by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， immunohistochemistry （IHC）， and Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited elevated 24 h UTP and serum SCr， BUN， UA， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased ALB and TP （P<0.01）， up-regulated TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， obvious inflammation， disordered glomerular structure with enlarged volume， irregularly thickened basement membrane， inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium， reduced renal tubular epithelial cells due to shedding and apoptosis， and some vacuolar degeneration. Compared with the model group， benazepril hydrochloride and Qiling Tongluo prescription at the high dose remarkably lowered the serum SCr and UA （P<0.05） and increased ALB and TP （P<0.05）. Benazepril hydrochloride and Qiling Tongluo prescription at the low， medium， and high doses down-regulated the 24 h UTP， serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels， and renal TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression to varying degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated IMN inflammatory reaction， glomerular swelling， and volume increase， slightly dilated glomerular capillaries， proliferated mesangial matrix， and relieved pathological and morphological damages in rat kidney， with inflammatory cell infiltration occasionally observed. ConclusionQiling Tongluo prescription may reduce the release and expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit the inflammatory response in IMN rats， ameliorate proteinuria and kidney damage， and protect kidney function.

Mechanism of Chaishao Liujunzi Tang in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive and curative effect of Chaishao Liujunzi Tang （CSLJZT） on colonic mucosal injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） in mice with ulcerative colitis （UC） and its mechanism. MethodFifty Balb/c male mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， CSLJZT low-dose group， CSLJZT high-dose group， and sulfasalazine group. Except for the normal group， other groups were given 2.5% DSS freely for 7 d， and were given drug intervention after successful modeling for 7 d. Bodyweight， feces， and other general physiological statuses of mice were recorded every day， and disease activity index （DAI） scores were calculated.The colon length was measured， and stained by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining to observe the morphological changes of the colon.The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the content of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， myeloperoxidase （MPO）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in the serum. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）， inhibitor-kappa binding protein （IκB）， Caspase-1， and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） in the colon tissues. ResultAs compared with the normal group， mice in the model group had significantly decreased body weight （P<0.01）， severe diarrhea and hematochezia， and significantly increased DAI score （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the decreasing trend of body weight was significantly alleviated in the CSLJZT groups （P<0.01）， diarrhea and hematochezia were significantly improved， DAI score was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and colon length increased （P<0.05）. HE staining showed that the pathological damage of colon tissue was significantly improved and the inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the CSLJZT groups as compared with the model group. As compared with the normal group， the serum levels of IL-1β and MPO were significantly higher （P<0.01） and SOD levels were significantly lower （P<0.01） of mice in the model group.Compared with the model group， the treated group reduced the serum IL-1β and MPO levels （P<0.01）， and raised the SOD level （P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that as compared with the normal group， the expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， Ccaspase-1， and NLRP3 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01）， whereas the expression level of IκB protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01） in the colonic tissue of mice in the model group. As compared with the model group， the expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， Caspase-1， and NLRP3 proteins were decreased （P<0.01）， whereas the expression level of IκB protein was increased （P<0.01） in the colonic tissue of mice in the CSLJZT groups. ConclusionCSLJZT improves the inflammatory injury of the colon tissue in DSS-induced UC mice through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Mechanism of Chaishao Liujunzi Tang in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive and curative effect of Chaishao Liujunzi Tang （CSLJZT） on colonic mucosal injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） in mice with ulcerative colitis （UC） and its mechanism. MethodFifty Balb/c male mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， CSLJZT low-dose group， CSLJZT high-dose group， and sulfasalazine group. Except for the normal group， other groups were given 2.5% DSS freely for 7 d， and were given drug intervention after successful modeling for 7 d. Bodyweight， feces， and other general physiological statuses of mice were recorded every day， and disease activity index （DAI） scores were calculated.The colon length was measured， and stained by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining to observe the morphological changes of the colon.The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the content of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， myeloperoxidase （MPO）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in the serum. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）， inhibitor-kappa binding protein （IκB）， Caspase-1， and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） in the colon tissues. ResultAs compared with the normal group， mice in the model group had significantly decreased body weight （P<0.01）， severe diarrhea and hematochezia， and significantly increased DAI score （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the decreasing trend of body weight was significantly alleviated in the CSLJZT groups （P<0.01）， diarrhea and hematochezia were significantly improved， DAI score was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and colon length increased （P<0.05）. HE staining showed that the pathological damage of colon tissue was significantly improved and the inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the CSLJZT groups as compared with the model group. As compared with the normal group， the serum levels of IL-1β and MPO were significantly higher （P<0.01） and SOD levels were significantly lower （P<0.01） of mice in the model group.Compared with the model group， the treated group reduced the serum IL-1β and MPO levels （P<0.01）， and raised the SOD level （P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that as compared with the normal group， the expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， Ccaspase-1， and NLRP3 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01）， whereas the expression level of IκB protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01） in the colonic tissue of mice in the model group. As compared with the model group， the expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， Caspase-1， and NLRP3 proteins were decreased （P<0.01）， whereas the expression level of IκB protein was increased （P<0.01） in the colonic tissue of mice in the CSLJZT groups. ConclusionCSLJZT improves the inflammatory injury of the colon tissue in DSS-induced UC mice through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Expression changes of TLR-9 and MyD88 in retina of mice following optic nerve injury / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the expression changes of Toll like recepter 9(TLR-9)and myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)in retina of mice following optic nerve injury(ONI).<p>METHODS: There were 36 male 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control(no treatment), ONI 1d group(materials were taken at 1d after optic nerve injury), ONI 3d group(materials were taken at 3d after optic nerve injury), ONI 5d group(materials were taken at 5d after optic nerve injury), ONI 7d group(materials were taken at 7d after optic nerve injury), ONI 14d group(materials were taken at 14d after optic nerve injury). The mice optic nerve model was made by optic nerve gripping, and the mRNA and protein levels of Toll like recepter 9 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in each retinal were measured by RT-qPCR and Western-blot.<p>RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of Toll like recepter 9 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in the retina of ONI 1d group were not significantly different from those of the blank control group(<i>P</i>>0.05), the mRNA and protein levels of TLR-9 and MyD88 in the retina of ONI 3d group, ONI 5d group, ONI 7d group and ONI 14d group were significantly increased compared with the blank control group, and the differences were statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the mRNA and protein levels of TLR-9 and MyD88 in the retina of mice began to increase at ONI 3d(<i>P</i><0.01), peaked at ONI 5d(<i>P</i><0.001), and gradually decreased at ONI 7d(<i>P</i><0.01).<p>CONCLUSION: Optic nerve injury can activate the expression of TLR-9 and MyD88 in mice retina. TLR-9 and MyD88 may play an essential role in the process of optic nerve injury.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Immune-Inflammatory Response in Hippocampus of Rats with Vascular Dementia by Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88 Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway, which triggers immune-inflammatory responses in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia (VaD).@*METHODS@#The experiments were conducted in 3 parts and in total the Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 8 groups by a random number table, including sham, four-vessel occlusion (4-VO), 4-VO+EA, 4-VO+non-EA, sham+EA, 4-VO+lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 4-VO+LPS+EA, and 4-VO+TAK-242 groups. The VaD model was established by the 4-VO method. Seven days later, rats were treated with EA at 5 acupoints of Baihui (DV 20), Danzhong (RN 17), Geshu (BL 17), Qihai (RN 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), once per day for 3 consecutive weeks. Lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte transformation rates, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) were measured to assess immune function and inflammation in VaD rats. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of nerve cells in the hippocampus. The levels of TLR4, MyD88, IL-6, and TNF-α were detected after EA treatment. TLR4/MyD88 signaling and cognitive function were also assessed after intracerebroventricular injection of TLR4 antagonist TAK-242 or TLR4 agonist LPS with or without EA.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the 4-VO group, EA notably improved immune function of rats in the 4-VO+EA group, inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 in the hippocampus of rats, reduced the expressions of serum IL-6 and TNF-α (all P0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#EA attenuated cognitive impairment associated with immune inflammation by inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway. Thus, EA may be a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of VaD.

Exploring the detection of MYD88 mutation in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia by different methods and specimens / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To improve the positivity rate and accuracy of MYD88 mutation detection in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) . Methods: MYD88 mutation status was retrospectively evaluated in 66 patients diagnosed with WM in Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2017 to June 2021. The positivity rate and accuracy of the different methods and specimens for MYD88 mutation detection were analyzed. Results: MYD88 mutations were detected in 51 of 66 patients with WM, with an overall positivity rate of 77%. The positivity rate of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) or allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was significantly higher than that of the first-generation Sanger sequencing (84% vs 71% vs 46%, P<0.05) . For the different specimens, the positivity rate for the lymph nodes or bone marrow was significantly higher than that of peripheral blood (79% vs 84% vs 52%, P<0.05) . The positivity rate of the MYD88 mutation in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood determined by NGS was 86%, 90%, and 67%, respectively. The positivity rate in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood detected by AS-PCR was 78%, 81%, and 53%, respectively. Thirty-nine patients with WM underwent ≥ 2 MYD88 mutation detections. The final MYD88 mutational status for each patient was used as the standard to determine the accuracy of the different methods and in different specimens. The accuracy of MYD88 mutation detection in the lymph nodes (n=18) and bone marrow (n=13) by NGS was significantly higher than that in the peripheral blood (n=4) (100% vs 100% vs 75%, P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of MYD88 mutation detection by AS-PCR in the lymph nodes (n=15) , bone marrow (n=11) , or peripheral blood (n=16) (93% vs 91% vs 88%, P>0.05) . Conclusions: In the detection of the MYD88 mutation in patients diagnosed with WM, NGS or AS-PCR is more sensitive than Sanger sequencing. Lymph nodes and bone marrow specimens are better than peripheral blood specimens.

The effect of mecobalamin combined with insulin on Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88 signaling pathway and maternal and infant outcome of gestational diabetes / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy of mecobalamin combined with insulin in the treatment of patients with gestational diabetes (GDM) and its effect on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway and maternal and infant outcomes.Methods:A total of 132 patients with GDM in the Fourth Central Hospital of Baoding City were selected and they were randomly grouped according to the principles of stratified random design and controlled design trials, with 66 cases in each group. The control group was treated with insulin, and the observation group was treated with mecobalamin combined with insulin. The curative effect, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2 h PBG), TLR4, MyD88, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), white blood cells interleukin 1β (IL-1β) before and after treatment and infant outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group: 95.45%(63/66) vs. 84.85%(56/66), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.181, P<0.05). After 1, 2, 3 weeks of treatment, the levels of FBG and 2 h PBG in the observation group were lower than those in the control group: after 1week of treatment, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). After 1, 2, 3 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum TLR4, MyD88, TNF-α, IL-1β in the observation group were lower than those in the control group: after 1 week of treatment, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The incidence of cesarean section, polyhydramnios, macrosomia and premature birth in the observation group were lower than those in the control group: 7.58%(5/66) vs. 21.21%(14/66), 4.55%(3/66) vs. 16.67%(11/66), 1.52%(1/66) vs. 13.64%(9/66), 3.03%(2/66) vs. 7.58%(5/66), the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Mecobalamin combined with insulin can regulate the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway, which can help to control blood sugar and improve the maternal and infant outcomes.

Effect of Modified Huangqi Biejiatang Combined with Auricular Acupressure on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome and Serum MyD88/IκB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of modified Huangqi Biejiatang combined with auricular acupressure on diabetic peripheral neuropathy （DPN） due to Qi and Yin deficiency and serum myeloid differentiation factor 88/inhibitor of nuclear factor-<italic>κ</italic>B （MyD88/I<italic>κ</italic>B） signaling pathway. Method:One hundred and forty cases were randomly divided into an observation group （<italic>n</italic>=70） and a control group （<italic>n</italic>=70）. In addition to routine treatments like dietary intervention and the regulation of fasting blood glucose （FBG） and blood pressure， the modified Huangqi Biejiatang combined with auricular acupressure was further provided in the observation group， while mecobalamine was administered in the control group. After four-week intervention， the toronto clinical scoring system （TCSS） score， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， the conduction velocities of motor and sensory nerves （median nerve， common peroneal nerve， tibial nerve， and ulnar nerve）， glucose metabolism indexes ［fasting plasma glucose （FPG）， 2 h postprandial blood glucose （2 h PG）， and hemoglobin A1c （HbA1c）］， intestinal genera （<italic>Clostridium</italic>， <italic>Prauserella</italic>， <italic>Bacteroides</italic>， and <italic>Faecalibacterium</italic>）， as well as the serum MyD88， I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic>， and phosphorylated I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α </italic>（p-I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic>） levels in the MyD88/I<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway before and after treatment were observed in the two groups， for comparing their clinical efficacy and safety. Result:The total effective rate of the observation group was 85.3% （58/68）， which was higher than 48.5% （32/66） of the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=6.143， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. The comparison with the control group revealed that the scores of TCSS and TCM syndrome， the levels of FPG， 2 h PG， HbA1c， MyD88， and p-I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic>， as well as the abundances of <italic>Clostridium</italic> and <italic>Prauserella</italic> in the observation group were decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while the conduction velocities of motor and sensory nerves （median nerve， common peroneal nerve， tibial nerve， and ulnar nerve） were significantly accelerated （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Besides， the abundances of <italic>Bacteroides</italic> and <italic>Faecalibacterium</italic> and I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic> level were significantly elevated （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 1.5% （1/68）， lower than 12.1% （8/66） in the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.328， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:The modified Huangqi Biejiatang combined with auricular acupressure alleviates DPN due to Qi and Yin deficiency， which may be attributed to the regulation of serum MyD88/I<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway.

Effect of Shenwei Ningyu Pills on Immunoinflammatory Response Mediated by TLR4/MyD88 Signaling Pathway in Hippocampus of Rats Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of Shenwei Ningyu pills （SNP）， a new Chinese medicine for depression， on the immunoinflammatory response mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats exposed to chronic restraint stress （CRS）. Method:Forty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly enrolled into a normal group， a model group， an escitalopram group， and an SNP group. Except for the rats in the normal group， all rats were exposed to CRS and isolated rearing for 21 days continuously. Rats in the escitalopram group and the SNP group were administered with escitalopram （30 mg·kg^-1） and SNP （18 mg·kg^-1） one hour prior to CRS， respectively. The changes in body weight， sucrose preference index， horizontal movement scores， and vertical movement scores were observed by body weight assessment， sucrose preference test， and open field test. The expression of hippocampal TLR4 and MyD88 was detected by Western blot. The content of serum interleukin-1<italic>β</italic> （IL-1<italic>β</italic>）， IL-10， and tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>） was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Result:The results of the behavioral assessment showed that there was no significant difference in the changes of behavioral baselines among the groups before intervention. However， significant differences were found among the groups following different interventions. The body weight， sugar preference index， horizontal movement score， and vertical movement score of rats in the model group decreased after CRS for 21 days as compared with those in the normal group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The above indicators in the SNP<italic> </italic>group and the escitalopram group were higher than those in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， which indicated that SNP<italic> </italic>exerted an obvious antidepressant effect. The results of Western blot and ELISA showed that compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated levels of hippocampal TLR4 and MyD88 and serum IL-1<italic>β</italic> and TNF-<italic>α </italic>（<italic>P</italic>˂0.01） and dwindled serum IL-10 （<italic>P</italic>˂0.01）， while SNP<italic> </italic>and escitalopram reversed the conditions in the model group （<italic>P</italic>˂0.01） except for TNF-<italic>α</italic>. Conclusion:The present study indicated that the antidepressant effect of SNP was presumedly achieved by inhibiting the immunoinflammatory response mediated by the TLR4/Myd88 signaling pathway in CRS rats.

Protective Effect of Gentiopicroside Against Liver Injury in Mice via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of gentiopicroside （GPS） in preventing acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄） in mice and its effect on the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor-<italic>κ</italic>B （NF-<italic>κ</italic>B） signaling pathway. Method:Sixty mice were randomly divided into a normal control group， a model group， a silymarin group （150 mg·kg^-1）， and high- （200 mg·kg^-1）， medium- （100 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （50 mg·kg^-1） GPS groups， with 10 in each group. The mice in the groups with drug intervention were administered correspondingly by gavage at 10 mL·kg^-1， and those in the normal control group and the model group receive an equal volume of distilled water， once per day. Ten days after administration， mice in the normal control group were subjected to the intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil （10 mL·kg^-1） and those in other groups were injected with peanut oil （10 mL·kg^-1） containing 0.12% CCl₄for the induction of acute liver injury model. After fasting for 16 hours， blood was collected from eyeballs and liver tissues were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissues. The content or activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD）， and <italic>γ</italic>-glutamyl transpeptidase （<italic>γ</italic>-GT） in the serum， malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in liver tissues were determined by biochemistry techniques. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， interleukin-1<italic>β</italic> （IL-1<italic>β</italic>）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in liver tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-<italic>κ</italic>B in liver tissues. The expression of phosphorylated NF-<italic>κ</italic>B （p-NF-<italic>κ</italic>B） was detected by immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with the normal control group， the model group showed increased levels of ALT， AST， ALP， TBIL， <italic>γ</italic>-GT， and MDA （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and blunted activities of T-SOD and GSH-Px （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high- and medium-dose GPS groups exhibited declining levels of ALT， AST， ALP， TBIL， <italic>γ</italic>-GT， and MDA （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01） and potentiated T-SOD and GSH-Px activities （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the normal control group， the model group displayed elevated levels of TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， and IL-6 in liver tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and increased protein expression of TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-<italic>κ</italic>B （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high- and medium-dose GPS groups showed decreased TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， and IL-6 content in liver tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01） and dwindled TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-<italic>κ</italic>B protein expression （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:GPS possesses a protective effect on mice with acute liver injury induced by CCl₄， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Regulatory Effect of Volatile Oil from Sishenwan on TLR/MyD88 Signaling Pathway in Mice with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the underlying mechanism of volatile oil from Sishenwan in treating chronic ulcerative colitis through the Toll-like receptor （TLR）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） signaling pathway. Method:The BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal group （normal）， a model group ［dextran sodium sulfate （DSS）］， a Sishenwan volatile oil group， an Ershen pill volatile oil group， a Wuweizi powder volatile oil group， and a mesalazine control group. The chronic ulcerative colitis model was induced by DSS in mice. Seven days after intragastric administration， the efficacy was evaluated based on the body weight， colon weight， colon weight index， colon length， and pathological damage score under colonoscopy. The levels of interleukin （IL）-4， IL-10， IL-17A， IL-21， and interferon-<italic>γ </italic>（IFN-<italic>γ</italic>） in the supernatant of colon tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of proteins related to the TLR/MyD88 signaling pathway in the colon mucosa of mice， including TLR2， MyD88， Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 （Rac1）， IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 （IRAK4）， IRAK1， tumor necrosis factor receptor （TNFR）-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， transforming growth factor-<italic>β</italic>-activated kinase 1 binding protein 1 （TAB1）， TAB2， mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 （MKK6）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein （CREB）. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased colon length， increased colon weight， colon weight index， and pathological damage score under colonoscopy， decreased IL-10 level in the colon tissues， increased IL-4， IL-17A， IL-21， and IFN-<italic>γ</italic> levels （<italic>P<</italic>0.05， <italic>P<</italic>0.01）， and up-regulated protein expression of TLR2， MyD88， Rac1， IRAK4， IRAK1， TRAF6， TAB1， TAB2， MKK6， p38MAPK， and CREB （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Sishenwan volatile oil group showed increased colon length， reduced colon weight， colon weight index， and pathological damage score under colonoscopy， elevated IL-10 level in the colon tissues， decreased IL-4， IL-17A， IL-21， and IFN-<italic>γ</italic> levels （<italic>P<</italic>0.05， <italic>P<</italic>0.01），and down-regulated protein expression of TLR2， MyD88， Rac1， IRAK4， IRAK1， TRAF6， TAB1， TAB2， MKK6， p38MAPK， and CREB （<italic>P<</italic>0.05， <italic>P<</italic>0.01）. Conclusion:The volatile oil from Sishenwan can effectively improve the inflammatory response of chronic ulcerative colitis， which may be achieved by regulating the TLR/MyD88 signaling pathway.

Study on Intestinal Barrier Injury in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Induced by L-Arginine in Mice / 胃肠病学

Background: Studies have indicated that dysfunction of intestinal barrier is closely related to the occurrence and development of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Aims: To investigate the intestinal barrier injury in mice with ANP induced by L-arginine and its mechanism on aggravating ANP. Methods: Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operation (SO) group and ANP group. Mice in ANP group were intraperitoneally injected with 8% L-arginine (4.5 g/kg) twice at an interval of 1 hour, while mice in SO group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl solution. Mice were sacrificed 24, 48, 72 hours after the establishment of ANP. HE staining was used to evaluate the pathological score of pancreas and intestine. Serum amylase, lipase were determined. Inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and intestinal permeability (DAO, D-lactic acid, LPS) were measured by ELISA assay. Western blotting was used to detect protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88 in pancreatic tissue and ileal tissue. Results: Compared with SO group, histopathological score of pancreatic tissue and ileal tissue were significantly increased at corresponding-time in ANP group (P<0.05), serum levels of amylase, lipase, inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and intestinal permeability (DAO, D-lactic acid, LPS) were significantly increased (P<0.05), protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88 in pancreatic tissue and ileal tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: Intestinal permeability is increased in ANP mice induced by L-arginine, and the secretion of LPS is increased, which may enhance the intestinal inflammation and systematic inflammation via activating TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway, thereby aggravating ANP.

Protective effect of recombinant adult serine protease inhibitor from Trichinella spiralis on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury in mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of recombinant adult serine protease inhibitor from Trichinella spiralis (TsadSPI) on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury in mice. Methods A total of 18 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the TsadSPI treatment group, of 6 mice in each group. Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury was modeled in the model group and TsadSPI treatment group by cecal ligation puncture (CLP), while mice in the sham-operation group were only given exploratory laparotomy without ligation or perforation of the cecum. After 30 min of CLP, mice in the sham-operation group and the model group were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (100 μL), and mice in the TsadSPI treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (100 μL) containing TsadSPI (2 μg). At 12 h following modeling, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured to assess the liver and kidney functions, and the changes of the mouse kidney structure were observed using HE staining. In addition, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 expression was determined in kidney tissues using immunohistochemical staining. Results At 12 h following CLP, there were significant differences in the serum levels of ALT (F = 41.031, P < 0.001), AST (F = 54.757, P < 0.001), Cr (F = 24.142, P < 0.001) and BUN (F = 214.849, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and higher levels of ALT, AST, Cr and BUN were measured in model group than in the sham-operation group (P < 0.001), while lower ALT, AST, Cr and BUN levels were found in the TsadSPI treatment group than in the model group (P < 0.001). HE staining showed severe mouse kidney injuries following CLP, and TsadSPI treatment resulted in remarkable alleviation of the injury. ELISA measured significant differences in the TNF-α (F = 47.502, P < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (F = 222.061, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and showed a remarkable reduction in the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the TsadSPI treatment group as compared to those in the model group (P < 0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in serum IL-10 (F = 16.227, P < 0.001) and TGF-β levels (F = 52.092, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and higher IL-10 and TGF-β levels were seen in the TsadSPI treatment group than in the model group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining showed greater MyD88 expression and a higher nuclear positive rate of NF-κB p65 in kidney tissues in the model group than in the TsadSPI treatment group. Conclusions TsadSPI may reduce the MyD88 expression and nuclear positive rate of NF-κB p65 in mouse kidney tissues to up-regulate the expression of immunomodulatory factors and down-regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby protecting sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Mechanism of Anti-chronic Alcoholic Liver Injury in Rats of Tibetan Medicine Lagotis brachystachys Extracts by TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB and NALP3 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To established the model of chronic alcoholic liver injury in rats by long-term(8 weeks) alcoholic gavage, to study the effects of Tibetan medicine Lagotis brachystachys extracts on Toll-like receptor(TLR)2/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)and NOD like receptor protein 3(NALP3) signaling pathways and study preliminary the mechanism of action of chronic alcoholic liver injury. Method::Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, bifendate positive drug group (0.1 g·kg-1) and L. brachystachys low, medium and high-dose groups (0.5, 1, 2 g·kg-1), the corresponding drugs were given at 10 mL·kg-1 in each morning, and the 56 degree Liquor was administered by the afternoon gradient alcoholic gavage method.After 8 weeks, the levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), serum alanineaminotransfease(ALT), serum total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and the liver levels of L-glutathione(GSH)were measured. The expression of TLR2, MyD88, NF-κB and NALP3 protein in liver were detected by Western blot.Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue. Result::Compared with normal group, the serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG and IL-1β in model group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with model group, the serum AST, ALT, TC, TG and IL-1β levels were decreased in the various doses of L. brachystachys, and the high dose group was particularly effective (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with normal group, the GSH level in the liver homogenate of model group decreased significantly, and the difference was not statistically significant. The levels of TLR2, MyD88, NF-κB and NALP3 in the liver tissue of model group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The GSH levels in the liver and the protein expression of TLR2, MyD88, NF-κB and NALP3 were decreased in L. brachystachys group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The liver pathological section showed that L. brachystachys can improve the pathological changes of rat liver tissue. Conclusion::L. brachystachys can protect liver from alcohol-induced chronic liver injury in rats. The mechanism was related to TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB and NALP3 signaling pathway.

Over-expression of miR-144 inhibits invasion of liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells by suppressing TLR/MyD88 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of over-expression of miR-144 on invasion of SMMC-7721 cells and Toll-like receptor (TLR)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.@*METHODS@#The expressions of miR-144 was examined in normal human hepatocyte line HL-7702 and hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 using realtime quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). SMMC-7721 cells were divided into blank group, miR-144 NC group and miR-144 mimics group, and the expressions of miR-144 in each group were detected with qRT-PCR. Cell count kit-8 (CCK8) was used to assess the survival of SMMC-7721 cells, and the cell invasion was evaluated using Transwell assay. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and TLR/MyD88 pathway-related proteins in the cells were detected with Western blotting; the effect of 40 μ mol/L MyD88 inhibitor on TLR/MyD88 pathway-related proteins was examined in SMMC-7721 cells.@*RESULTS@#Compared with normal human hepatocytes, SMMC-7721 cells expressed a significantly lower level of miR-144 ( < 0.05). CCK-8 assay showed that test showed that miR-144 over-expression significantly decreased the cell survival rate ( < 0.05), lowered the number of invasive cells, and decreased the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SMMC-7721 cells ( < 0.05). The expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (pNF-κB) and NF-κB protein decreased significantly in miR-144 mimics group and TJ-M2010-2 group ( < 0.05) and were comparable between the two groups ( > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Overexpression of miR-144 decreases SMMC-7721 cell survival and invasion by inhibiting TLR/MyD88 pathway.