Scientific connotation of TCM theory of "homotherapy for heteropathy" in treatment of liver and pulmonary fibrosis based on metabonomics / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective Urinary metabolomics associated with the histological progression of liver fibrosis (LF) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) were utilized to explore common differential metabolites and their associated changes, and to explain the scientific connotation of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of "homotherapy for heteropathy". Methods HE staining was used to monitor the histopathological changes in rats with LF and PF. Urinary metabolic profiling was performed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS to analyze the metabolic profiles of LF and PF, as well as to clarify the common differential metabolites and their dynamic changes in LF and PF progression. Results Similar pathologic processes and trajectories of the PLS-DA score plots were observed in both the LF and PF models. Furthermore, 16 differential urine metabolites were found both in LF and PF. Among these, nine metabolites, including adrenochrome and 5-L-glutamyl-taurine, were key biomarkers which affect the development of LF and PF through oxidative damage, inflammation, and release of profibrogenic cytokines. Conclusion Metabonomic analysis revealed that LF and PF share common differential metabolites with the same changing trends and explained the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of "homotherapy for heteropathy".