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OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect of saikosaponin b2(SSb2)on corticosterone(CORT)induced PC12 cell injury and its mechanism.METHODS ① PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group(24 h of culture with RPMI-1640 medium),CORT group(24 h of culture with CORT 100-800 μmol·L-1)and SSb2 group(24 h of culture with SSb2 1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol·L-1).MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate.②PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group(24 h of culture with RPMI 1640 medium),model group(24 h of culture with CORT 400 μmol·L-1),and model+SSb2 group(3 h pretreatment with SSb2 1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1,removal of the supernatant before cells were co-incubated with CORT 400 μmol·L-1 and corresponding concentrations of SSb2 for 24 h).MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate while micro-plate assay was used to detect the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)leakage rate of PC12 cells.③PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group,model group and model+SSb2 12.5 μmol·L-1 group.AnnexinV-FITC/PI flow cytometry assay was used to detect PC12 cell apoptosis,ultra-perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)cell metabonomics was used to detect metabolic profile changes and colorimetric assay was employed to detect the glutamic acid content and glutaminase activity in PC12 cells.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,the cell viability decreased to(55±6)%(P<0.01)when the concentration of CORT was 400 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of SSb2 was higher than 50 μmol·L-1,there was significant toxicity to PC12 cells(P<0.01).②Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate was signif-icantly decreased(P<0.01),while the release rate of LDH was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the cell survival rate significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the LDH release rate significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the model+SSb2 group.③ Com-pared with the cell control group,cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,cell apoptosis was significantly decreased(P<0.05)in the model+ SSb2 group.Metabolomics results show that SSb2 significantly back-regulated nine differential metabo-lites of glutamate,creatine,N-acetylaspartate,L-tyrosine,citric acid,L-isoleucine,lactic acid,glutamine and choline.Further network analysis of the key metabolites regulated by SSb2 yielded five major metabolic pathways:D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism,phenylalanine,tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,tyrosine metabolism and arginine biosynthesis.Compared with the cell control group,the content of glutamate and activity of glutaminase were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of glutamate(P<0.01)and activity of glutaminase(P<0.05)were significantly increased in the model+SSb2 group.CONCLUSION SSb2 has a neuroprotective effect on CORT-injured PC12 cells,and the mechanism of which is related to inhibition of apoptosis and regulation of metabolic disorders.
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Objective To investigate the biological basis of disease and syndrome by studying the spectrum of myocardial tissue metabolites in the rat model of coronary heart disease with heart blood stasis syndrome.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group and model group.The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to prepare the rat model of coronary heart disease with heart blood stasis syndrome.The general condition was observed,and the tongue chromaticity,electrocardiogram,cardiac function were detected.HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial tissue morphology and ultrastructure.UPLC-MS technology was used to investigate the differential metabolites in rat myocardial tissue,and enrichment analysis was conducted on metabolic pathways.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the tongue chromaticity R,G,B values of model group rats were significantly reduced(P<0.05),ECG heart rate and ST segment elevation amplitude significantly increased(P<0.05),LVEF and LVFS significantly decreased,and LVIDs and LVIDd significantly increased(P<0.05).Myocardial tissue pathology revealed that the structure was blurred,inflammatory cells infiltrated,mitochondria swelled,ruptured,and dissolved,and crista structure fracture decreased.A total of 29 potential biomarkers with significant differences between the sham-operation group and the model group were identified in metabolomics(7 upregulated and 22 downregulated),with the majority of 10 pathways enriched in thiamine metabolism,arginine biosynthesis,purine metabolism,aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,pentose and glucuronate interconversions,glycolysis/gluconeogenesis,valine,leucine and isoleucine degradation,TCA cycle,pyruvate metabolism.Conclusion Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery can mimic the pathological process of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome in a good way,and its pathological mechanism involves the disruption of multi-level metabolic networks such as glucose metabolism,mitochondrial energy metabolism,amino acid metabolism,protein biosynthesis,and purine metabolism.
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Aim To analyze the differences in plasma biomarkers and metabolic pathways between Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana after intervention in spleen deficiency rats, and discuss the spleen strengthening mechanism of the two from a non targeted metabolomics perspective. Methods A spleen deficiency model was established in SD rats using a composite factor method of improper diet, excessive fatigue, and bitter cold diarrhea. To determine the content of gastrointestinal and immunological indicators, UHPLC-QE-MS technology was used, combined with principal component analysis (PC A) and orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) methods to search for biomarkers in plasma of spleen deficiency rats, and metabolic pathways were induced using the Pathway database. Results After administration of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana, various indicators in plasma of spleen deficiency rats showed varying degrees of regression. Metabolomics analysis showed that Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana respectively recalled 70 and 82 plasma differential metabolites. Atractylodes chinensis mainly regulated two metabolic pathways : "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism". Atractylodes coreana mainly regulated five metabolic pathways, "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism", "Thiamine metabolism, "Pyrimidine metabolism", "Butanoate metabolism", and "Riboflavin metabolism". Conclusions Both Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana have certain regulatory effects on spleen deficiency rats, and their mechanism of action may be related to regulating metabolic pathways such as "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism"in spleen deficiency.
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ObjectiveIn order to understand the quality differences between wild and cultivated Bupleurum chinense(BC), modern analytical techniques were used to systematically compare the quality of wild and cultivated BC in terms of appearance characteristics, primary and secondary metabolites. MethodSamples of wild and cultivated BC were collected from the main production areas of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hebei, and images of BC were collected and their length and diameter were measured using vernier caliper to compare and analyze the characteristics of the two. Referring to the method under extract of CP in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the extract contents of the two species were determined. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin compositions of both were determined using fiber analyzer. Quantitative determination of representative saikosaponins, flavonoids and saccharides in BC by ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) was used to determine the types and relative contents of volatile components, and UPLC-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was used to screen and identify the differential compounds between wild and cultivated BC. ResultThere were significant differences in the appearance characteristics between wild and cultivated BC, the wild BC had a large root head, twisted and thick axial root, rough epidermis, and often had a stem base and lateral root with dark color and strong odor. However, the cultivated BC has long and straight taproots, delicate epidermis, few lateral roots, light root color and light smell. In terms of primary and secondary metabolites, the contents of alcohol-soluble extract and lignin of wild BC was significantly higher than those of cultivated BC, while the contents of water soluble extract and quercitrin was higher than those of cultivated BC, but the difference was not significant. The contents of cellulose, five saikosaponins, rutin, narcissoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside in cultivated BC were significantly higher than those of wild BC, and the total water-soluble polysaccharides, sucrose, hemicellulose and starch of cultivated BC were higher than those of wild BC, but the difference was not significant. The results of HS-GC-MS identification showed that a total of 67 volatile components were identified in wild and cultivated BC, 59 in wild BC and 51 in cultivated BC, with a total of 43 compounds in both, and the screening based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 revealed that the differential components were mainly concentrated in the aromatic and fatty acid compounds. The results of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based non-targeted metabolomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis showed that the two were significantly different in saikosaponins and the differential compounds had higher response values in cultivated BC. ConclusionThere are significant differences in the appearance, primary and secondary metabolite contents between wild and cultivated BC. At present, the quality evaluation system of cultivated BC is not perfect, and this study provides theoretical references for updating and revising the quality evaluation standard of cultivated BC and guiding the production of high-quality BC.
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ObjectiveThe traditional Chinese medicine Strychnos nux-vomica L. (SN) has the clinical effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain; however, SN is toxic due to its alkaloid components. Little is known about the endogenous metabolic changes induced by SN toxicity in rats and their potential effects on the metabolic dysregulation of intestinal microbiota. Therefore, toxicological investigation of SN is of great significance to its safety assessment. In this study, the toxic mechanisms of SN were explored using a combination of metabonomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MethodsThe toxic dose, intensity, and target organ of SN were determined in rats using acute, cumulative, and subacute toxicity tests. UHPLC-MS was used to analyze the serum, liver, and renal samples of rats after intragastric SN administration. The decision tree and K Nearest Neighbor (KNN) model were established based on the bootstrap aggregation (bagging) algorithm to classify the omics data. After samples were extracted from rat feces, the high-throughput sequencing platform was used to analyze the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region of bacteria. ResultsThe bagging algorithm improved the accuracy of sample classification. Twelve biomarkers were identified, where their metabolic dysregulation may be responsible for SN toxicity in vivo. Several types of bacteria such as Bacteroidetes, Anaerostipes, Oscillospira and Bilophila, were demonstrated to be closely related to physiological indices of renal and liver function, indicating that SN-induced liver and kidney damage may be related to the disturbance of these intestinal bacteria. ConclusionThe toxicity mechanism of SN was revealed in vivo, which provides a scientific basis for the safe and rational clinical use of SN.
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OBJECTIVE@#Based on metabonomics technology of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), the pharmacokinetic characteristics and therapeutic mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (RhRR, Dahuang in Chinese), Eupolyphaga Steleophaga (EuS, Tubiechong in Chinese) combined with RhRR acting on acute liver injury were explored.@*METHODS@#Models of acute liver injury were established, and the pharmacokinetic methods of five components of RhRR-EuS in rats were found by HPLC-MS/MS. The liver tissues of different groups of mice were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis to investigate the metabolomics of RhRR-EuS and RhRR.@*RESULTS@#Pharmacokinetic results showed there were different levels of bimodal phenomenon in different groups, and the absorption of free anthraquinone in RhRR increased after compatibility with EuS. In addition, the pathological state of acute liver injury in rats can selectively promote the absorption of emodin, chrysophanol, physcion and aloe emodin. Through 15 differential metabolites in the liver tissue of acute liver injury mice, it was revealed that RhRR-EuS and RhRR could protect the liver injury by regulating the metabolism of glutamine and glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, and phosphoinositide. However, the regulation of RhRR was weaker than that of RhRR-EuS.@*CONCLUSION@#For the first time, we studied the pharmacokinetics and metabolomics differences of RhRR-EuS and RhRR in rats and mice with acute liver injury, in order to provide theoretical reference for clinical treatment of liver disease by DHZCP.
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ObjectiveTo explore the impact of Gegen Qinliantang(GQT) on the fecal short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs) metabolism in antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD) through targeted metabolomics. MethodA total of 240 SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=40, half male and half female), including blank group, model group, bifidobiogen group(0.15 g·kg-1), and GQT high-, medium-, and low-dose groups(10.08, 5.04, 2.52 g·kg-1), except for the blank group, clindamycin(250 mg·kg-1) was given to all groups by gavage for modeling every day for 7 d. After successful modeling, each administered group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of the drug, and the blank and model groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline solution, 1 time/d, for 14 d. At 0, 3, 7, 14 d after the drug intervention, eight rats were randomly selected from each group, respectively. Gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC-TOF-MS) was used to perform targeted metabolomic analysis of SCFAs in the feces of rats, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) was applied to compare the differences in metabolic profiles between groups at different treatment times, and to compare the changes in the contents of SCFAs in rat feces between groups. ResultPLS-DA results showed that the blank group could be clearly distinguishable from the model group, with GQT exhibiting a closer proximity to the blank group after 7 d of treatment. After further analyzing the composition of SCFAs, it was found that the proportion of acetic acid increased and the proportions of butyric acid, valeric acid, hexanoic acid and isovaleric acid decreased in the model group compared with the blank group. After the treatment with GQT, the proportions of butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid increased, and the proportions of acetic acid, propionic acid and caproic acid decreased. Subsequent differential analysis revealed that GQT could significantly improve the content of butyric acid, and had a certain retrogressive effect on the contents of valeric acid and hexanoic acid. ConclusionThe medium dose group of GQT can improve the contents of SCFAs in AAD feces after 7 days of treatment, which may be related to the improvement of the composition ratio of SCFAs and the contents of butyric acid, valeric acid and caproic acid.
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ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Yupingfeng Granules (玉屏风散) in preventing and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from the perspective of “lung-gut axis”. MethodsThirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group, roxithromycin group and Yupingfeng Granules group, with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the rat model of COPD was prepared by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with smoking for 12 weeks. Since the fifth week of modeling,the roxithromycin group and the Yupingfeng Granules group were given 31.5 mg/(kg·d) and 1.575 g/(kg·d) of corresponding drugs respectively by gavage,and normal group and model group were given 10 ml/(kg·d) physiolo-gical saline. Sample was collected 24 hours after the last administration. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed using HE staining; Ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOFMS) was used to detect the differential metabolites in alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in all groups but roxithromycin group;16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to detect the changes of intestinal flora, and the association analysis was conducted between the differential metabolites and the differential flora. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed an increase in goblet cells in the small bronchial wall, disappearance of the smooth muscle layer of the bronchial wall, and infiltration of inflammatory cells; compared with the model group, roxithromycin group showed slight alveolar interstital edema, and obviously reduced inflammatory cell, while no obvious alveolar interstital edema was observed in the Yupingfeng Granules group, showing a small amout of inflammatory cell infiltration. The results of the BALF differential metabolite screening showed that compared with the normal group, 12 substances were upregulated and 19 substances were downregulated in the model group; compared with the model group, 37 substances in the Yupingfeng Granules group were upregulated and 43 substances were downregulated KEGG analysis yielded a total of 2 metabolic pathways, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic metabolism; compared with the model group, choline, acetylcholine, glycerol-3-phosphate, glycerophosphate choline, palmitic acid, and arachidonic acid showed an upward trend, while stearic acid and docosahexaenoic acid showed a downward trend in Yupingfeng Granules group (P<0.05). The results of the intestinal flora showed that, there are 80 different species between the normal group and the model group, and 65 different species between the model group and Yupingfeng Granules group. Among the top 5 species with relative abundance levels,compared with the model group, the level of Prevotella_9,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005,Ruminiclostridium_6 increase,and Lactobacillus,Bacteroides decrease(P<0.05).The results of the correlation analysis showed that, in the normal and model groups, arachidonic acid was negatively correlated with Oribacterium(r=-0.753,P<0.01); in the Yupingfeng Granules group and model group, stearic acid and Bacteroides(r=0.788), Mycobacterium(r=0.826),[Eubacterium]_Ruminantium_Group(r=0.770) was positively correlated(P<0.01), Arachidic acid was negatively correlated with Roseiarcus(r=-0.779), glycerol-3-phosphate was negatively correlated with Desulfovibrio(r=-0.758), Arachidonic acid was negatively correlated with Oribacterium(r=-0.753), and Palmitic acid was negatively correlated with Pseudolabs(r=-0.750,P<0.01). ConclusionYupingfeng Granules can affect the metabolism of BALF and the flora structure of intestinal microorganisms, and regulating the balance of “lung-gut axis” may be one of the mechanisms of Yupingfeng Granules in treatment of COPD.
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OBJECTIVE Ulcerative colitis (UC), as a common and refractory disease of the digestive system, has always been a hot and difficult point in medical research. Traditional Chinese medicine has the advantages of good efficacy, high safety and not easy to relapse after drug withdrawal in the treatment of UC, but the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Metabonomics looks for potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways from the point of view of the endogenous dynamic metabolism of the whole body, which is helpful to evaluate the efficacy of drugs and explore related mechanisms. Metabolomics studies on the treatment of UC with traditional Chinese medicine have shown that traditional Chinese medicine formulas, single herbs and herbs monomers act on various related pathways such as amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and energy metabolism by regulating endogenous metabolites in the body, thereby inhibiting immune inflammatory reactions, improving oxidative stress, reducing intestinal sensitivity, regulating intestinal microbiota, repairing intestinal mucosal damage, and restoring normal metabolic activity in the body. However, further screening and validation of relevant metabolic markers are needed.
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Objective:To study the effects of Terra Flavausta on diarrhea mice with spleen yang deficiency based on metabonomics. Methods:Totally 30 mice were divided into normal group, model group and Terra Flavausta group according to random number table method. Mice in the model group and Terra Flavausta group were treated by the method of "diet disorder + clearing fire with herbs bitter in flavour and cold in property" to establish the diarrhea model of spleen yang deficiency. After successful modeling, Terra Flavausta group received Zaoxintu Decoction 12.0 g/kg for gavage, while normal group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water for gavage, for consecutive 7 d. The serum metabolites of each mouse were analyzed and identified based on UPLC-Q-Exective-MS. The differential metabolites were characterized by principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and the potential biomakers were screened, and the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed. Results:Totally 110 different metabolites were screened under the positive and negative ion mode. Terra Flavausta can effectively reverse the disorder of serum metabolism in diarrhea mice with spleen yang deficiency, and has a significant callback effect on 12 potential biomarkers related to diarrhea with spleen yang deficiency. KEGG pathway enrichment mainly involved HIF-1 signaling pathway, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, platelet activation, etc. Conclusion:Terra Flavausta may play the effect of warming spleen and relieving diarrhea through down-regulation of L-ascorbic acid affecting HIF-1 signal pathway, ascorbic acid and aldose metabolism pathway, vitamin digestion and absorption pathway, up-regulation of prostaglandins G2 and H2 affecting platelet activation pathway, and down-regulation of jasmonic acid α linolenic acid metabolic pathway.
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Metabonomics is an important component of systems biology.It reveals the essential metabolic characteristics of the activities of organisms using qualitative and quantitative detection and analysis of the dynamics of all endogenous low-molecular-weight metabolites within an organism before and after stimulation such as pathophysiological stimuli or genetic modification.Therefore, it provides insight into the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diseases.Metabonomics relies on chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and other analytical chemistry techniques to obtain data.The examination specimens are usually body fluids including blood, tear, aqueous humor and tissues such as trabecular meshwork, vitreous body, retina, etc.Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease characterized by optic disc damage and visual field defect.Previous animal and human studies have provided some preliminary results on metabolites associated with glaucoma.Metabonomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics constitute a bioinformatics system.Joint multi-omics research will be the direction of future development.On the basis of an overview of metabonomics, this paper reviewed the research progress of metabonomics in glaucoma based on different tissues and body fluid specimens.
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Objective To analyse the differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways in stable angina pectoris of coronary artery heart disease with spleen deficiency and phlegm turbidity syndrome by serum metabolomics.Methods This study observed 60 patients with stable angina pectoris of coronary artery heart disease with spleen deficiency and phlegm turbidity syndrome and 60 healthy volunteers in the same period.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)was performed on the serum metabonomics.The differential metabolites were identified by multivariate statistical analysis of the original spectrogram and original data,and enrichment analysis of KEGG metabolic pathway was analyzed.Results A total of 60 patients in the group of stable angina pectoris of coronary artery heart disease with spleen deficiency and phlegm turbidity syndrome participated in the study,and a total of 60 healthy volunteers in the control group participated in the study.There was no statistical difference in general information and biochemical indicators between the two groups(P>0.05);Eighteen differential metabolites were found respectively,including phenylacetaldehyde,orthophosphate,guanosine,diethyl phosphate,2-dehydro-d-gluconate,guanine and 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole down-regulated expression,taurocholate,2-propylglutaric acid,8-amino-7-oxononanoate,l-tyrosine,s-sulfo-l-cysteine,cyclohexanecarboxylic acid,porphobilinogen,(r)-acetoin,octanoylglucuronide,melatonin and solanine up-regulated expression,involving phenylalanine metabolism,thiamine metabolism,purine metabolism.Conclusion The differential metabolites reveal the metabolic essence of stable angina pectoris of coronary artery heart disease with spleen deficiency and phlegm turbidity syndrome from the micro level,and can provide clues for clinical early warning of patients with stable angina pectoris of coronary artery heart disease with spleen deficiency and phlegm turbidity syndromet.
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Objective To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule on premature ovarian failure rats from the perspective of metabolomics.Methods Female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group and Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule low,medium and high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.The model of premature ovarian failure was replicated by removing bilateral ovaries of rats and administered intragastrically once a day for 21 days.The serum samples of rats in each group were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS).Combined with multivariate statistical analysis,the effects of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule on differential metabolites in rats with premature ovarian failure were investigated.The differential metabolites identified by MELIN database or KEGG database were imported into Metaboanalyst 5.0 online platform for metabolic pathway analysis.Results A total of 18 potential differential metabolites were screened and identified.Most of the differential metabolites showed a good callback trend after intragastric administration of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule.These 18 differential metabolites were enriched into 2 metabolic pathways(Pathway Impact>0.1),which were glycerophospholipid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of Jiawei Bazhen Yimu Capsule on premature ovarian failure may be related to improving the level of differential metabolites in serum and restoring normal metabolic activities in rats.
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Objective To investigate the chemical composition from the flowers of Callerya speciosa,and reveal the metabolites difference at different flowering periods based on metabolomics technology.Methods The primary and secondary metabolites,volatile chemical components in flowers of C.speciosa were analyzed combined by GC-MS and UPLC-Q-Exactive MS.Principal component analysis(PCA),orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA),and hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA)were performed to identify differential metabolites.Results A total of 332 compounds were identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive MS,mainly including secondary metabolites such as flavonoids,triterpenoids,phenylpropanoids.A total of 297 compounds were identified by GC-MS,mainly including primary metabolites and volatile chemical components,such as organic acids,amino acids,saccharides,heterocycles,alcohols.The PCA analysis demonstrated that the metabolites of the four flowering periods were divided into two groups:bud,initial bloom and blooming periods clustered into one group,while wilting period clustered into the other group,the main differences were filtered and identified as flavonoids and triterpenoids,organic acids,respectively.Compared to the upright type,the flowers of vine type contained more characteristic flavonoids as differential metabolites during the bud,initial bloom and blooming periods,and some flavonoids decrease gradually with the development of flowering.Conclusion The results indicated that the flowers of C.speciosa possessed abundant active flavonoid metabolites for further utilization,and the best harvest stage is initial bloom,the best harvest plant is vine type.This study provides a scientific basis for the scientific development and rational use of the flowers of C.speciosa.
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OBJECTIVES@#To explore the potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of primary brain stem injury (PBSI) by using metabonomics method to observe the changes of metabolites in rats with PBSI caused death.@*METHODS@#PBSI, non-brain stem brain injury and decapitation rat models were established, and metabolic maps of brain stem were obtained by LC-MS metabonomics method and annotated to the HMDB database. Partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forest methods were used to screen potential biomarkers associated with PBSI diagnosis.@*RESULTS@#Eighty-six potential metabolic markers associated with PBSI were screened by PLS-DA. They were modeled and predicted by random forest algorithm with an accuracy rate of 83.3%. The 818 metabolic markers annotated to HMDB database were used for random forest modeling and prediction, and the accuracy rate was 88.9%. According to the importance in the identification of cause of death, the most important metabolic markers that were significantly up-regulated in PBSI group were HMDB0038126 (genipinic acid, GA), HMDB0013272 (N-lauroylglycine), HMDB0005199 [(R)-salsolinol] and HMDB0013645 (N,N-dimethylsphingosine).@*CONCLUSIONS@#GA, N-lauroylglycine, (R)-salsolinol and N,N-dimethylsphingosine are expected to be important metabolite indicators in the diagnosis of PBSI caused death, thus providing clues for forensic medicine practice.
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Rats , Animals , Metabolomics/methods , Brain Injuries , Biomarkers/metabolism , Brain Stem/metabolismABSTRACT
Objective @#To investigate the differences in gut microbiota and metabolites between urban and rural middle school students and explore their significance in gut homeostasis , so as to establish a healthy lifestyle and diet for children.@*Methods @#Fecal samples were collected from middle school students in Hefei ( n = 14) and Jixi county ( n = 18 , Southern Anhui) , aged 13. 0 - 13. 5 years. Stool samples were sequenced by 16S ribosomal DNA (LC⁃MS) , followed by bioinformatic analysis. @*Results @# Lachnoclostridium and Anaerostipes were dominant in the urban students that had been reported to be associated with colorectal cancer, atherosclerosis , depression and other disorders. In the village children , Ruminococcaceae UCG⁃002 , Barnesiella and Eubacterium dominated. An increased proportion of these microbes were related to metabolism of bile acids , short⁃chain fatty acids , lipid and carbohydrate decomposition , and play an important role in maintaining immune balance and physiological function. Additionally , significant differences in gut metabolites of the two groups were noted , mainly in arachidonic acid metabolism , platelet activation , serotonin metabolism , vitamin absorption , primary bile acid metabolism and other pathways.@*Conclusion @#Adolescent students of urban and mountainous areas differ in gut microbiota and metabo⁃ lites. Rural children have a healthy bacterial flora and metabolites in guts due to a reasonable lifestyle and diet in comparison with the city children.
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ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory effect of polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions of Atractylodis Rhizoma stir-fried with bran on the plasma metabolites of spleen-deficient rats, and then to elucidate their mechanisms of spleen-enhancing effects. MethodForty male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, polysaccharide group (FD group, 0.075 6 g·mL-1·d-1), n-butanol fractions group (FZ group, 0.012 1 g·mL-1·d-1), with 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the other three groups used the compound factors of overwork, dietary disorders and intragastric administration of Sennae Folium decoction to replicate the rat model of spleen deficiency. After the end of modeling, the FD group and FZ group were given the corresponding medicinal solution by gavage for 7 d, meanwhile, the blank group and model group were given an equal volume of saline. The plasma samples from rats in the blank, model, FZ and FD groups were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), multivariate statistical methods were used to process the data and screen differential metabolites, and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the screened differential metabolites was performed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG))database and MetaboAnalyst 5.0. ResultThe results of multivariate statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in plasma metabolites between the model group and blank group, FZ group and model group, FD group and model group. There were 380 differential metabolites between the blank group and the model group, of which 78 and 57 were called back by polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions of Atractylodis Rhizoma stir-fried with bran, respectively. Metabolic pathway enrichment results showed that the n-butanol fractions mainly affected glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, which were summarized as amino acid metabolism, while the polysaccharides mainly affected glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, biotin metabolism and thiamine metabolism. ConclusionBoth of polysaccharides and n-butanol fractions of Atractylodis Rhizoma stir-fried with bran have significant regulating effects on the metabolic abnormalities in spleen-deficient rats, in which the n-butanol fractions is mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, and the polysaccharides are involved in energy metabolism and cofactor and vitamin metabolism in addition to regulating amino acid metabolism.
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OBJECTIVE To study main way and target of Euphorbia kansui after stir-frying with vinegar. METHODS Twenty-four SPF grade SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, E. kansui group (850 mg/kg) and vinegar stir-fried E. kansui group (850 mg/kg), with 8 rats in each group. Blank group was given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution intragastrically, and E. kansui group and vinegar stir-fried E. kansui group were given relevant test sample for consecutive 20 d. The rats’ urine of 12 hours was collected on the 20th day. The urine samples of rats in each group were determined by UPLC-Q- Exactive-MS. The data was pre-processed by Compound Discoverer 3.0 software, and the metabolite structure was identified by BioCyc, HMDB and other databases. Whether different groups presented their own clustering phenomenon was observed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), etc. Based on the pathway analysis of MetaboAnalyst, the potential targets of detoxification mechanism of E. kansui after stir-frying with vinegar were predicted. RESULTS Twenty significantly differential endogenous metabolites were identified, of which 10 target metabolites, such as N-acetyl-L-aspartate and 3-phosphonooxypyruvic acid, were targets of detoxification mechanism of E. kansui after stir- frying with vinegar. The main metabolic pathways included arginine biosynthesis, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and arginine and D-ornithine metabolism. The biological significance of all related metabolites in the pathways was analyzed and speculated; after stir-frying with vinegar, E. kansui may alleviate neurotoxicity by reducing the level of N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid; E. kansui had a protective effect on cardio-cerebrovascular system by increasing the level of L-high arginine. CONCLUSIONS After stir-frying with vinegar, E. kansui can significantly improve the adverse factors in terms of nervous system, cardio-cerebrovascular system, immune system and energy metabolism. The most concentrated metabolic pathway related to its detoxification mechanism is arginine biosynthesis.
ABSTRACT
Angelicae Sinensis Radix (AS) is reproted to exert anti-depression effect (ADE) and nourishing blood effect (NBE) in a rat model of depression. The correlation between the two therapeutic effects and its underlying mechanisms deserves further study. The current study is designed to explore the underlying mechanisms of correlation between the ADE and NBE of AS based on hepatic metabonomics, network pharmacology and molecular docking. According to metabolomics analysis, 30 metabolites involved in 11 metabolic pathways were identified as the potential metabolites for depression. Furthermore, principal component analysis and correlation analysis showed that glutathione, sphinganine, and ornithine were related to pharmacodynamics indicators including behavioral indicators and hematological indicators, indicating that metabolic pathways such as sphingolipid metabolism were involved in the ADE and NBE of AS. Then, a target-pathway network of depression and blood deficiency syndrome was constructed by network pharmacology analysis, where a total of 107 pathways were collected. Moreover, 37 active components obtained from Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Triple-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS) in AS extract that passed the filtering criteria were used for network pharmacology, where 46 targets were associated with the ADE and NBE of AS. Pathway enrichment analysis further indicated the involvement of sphingolipid metabolism in the ADE and NBE of AS. Molecular docking analysis indciated that E-ligustilide in AS extract exhibited strong binding activity with target proteins (PIK3CA and PIK3CD) in sphingolipid metabolism. Further analysis by Western blot verified that AS regulated the expression of PIK3CA and PIK3CD on sphingolipid metabolism. Our results demonstrated that sphingolipid metabolic pathway was the core mechanism of the correlation between the ADE and NBE of AS.
Subject(s)
Rats , Animals , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Molecular Docking Simulation , Network Pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry , Metabolomics/methods , Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Lipid homeostasis is considered to be related to intestinal metabolic balance, while its role in the pathogenesis and treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) remains largely unexplored. The present study aimed to identify the target lipids related to the occurrence, development and treatment of UC by comparing the lipidomics of UC patients, mice and colonic organoids with the corresponding healthy controls. Here, multi-dimensional lipidomics based on LC-QTOF/MS, LC-MS/MS and iMScope systems were constructed and used to decipher the alteration of lipidomic profiles. The results indicated that UC patients and mice were often accompanied by dysregulation of lipid homeostasis, in which triglycerides and phosphatidylcholines were significantly reduced. Notably, phosphatidylcholine 34:1 (PC34:1) was characterized by high abundance and closely correlation with UC disease. Our results also revealed that down-regulation of PC synthase PCYT1α and Pemt caused by UC modeling was the main factor leading to the reduction of PC34:1, and exogenous PC34:1 could greatly enhance the fumarate level via inhibiting the transformation of glutamate to N-acetylglutamate, thus exerting an anti-UC effect. Collectively, our study not only supplies common technologies and strategies for exploring lipid metabolism in mammals, but also provides opportunities for the discovery of therapeutic agents and biomarkers of UC.