Novel miR-490-3p/hnRNPA1-b/PKM2 axis mediates the Warburg effect and proliferation of colon cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) has been reported to enhance the Warburg effect and promote colon cancer (CC) cell proliferation, but the role and mechanism of the miR-490-3p/hnRNPA1-b/PKM2 axis in CC have not yet been elucidated. AIM: To investigate the role and mechanism of a novel miR-490-3p/hnRNPA1-b/PKM2 axis in enhancing the Warburg effect and promoting CC cell proliferation through the PI3K/AKT pathway. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded pathological sections from 220 CC patients were collected and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis to determine the expression of hnRNPA1-b. The relationship between the expression values and the clinicopathological features of the patients was investigated. Differences in mRNA expression were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while differences in protein expression were analyzed using western blot. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays, and cell cycle and apoptosis were detected using flow cytometric assays. The targeted binding of miR-490-3p to hnRNPA1-b was validated using a dual luciferase reporter assay. The Warburg effect was evaluated by glucose uptake and lactic acid production assays. RESULTS: The expression of hnRNPA1-b was significantly increased in CC tissues and cells compared to normal controls (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results demonstrated significant variations in the expression of the hnRNPA1-b antigen in different stages of CC, including stage I, II-III, and IV. Furthermore, the clinicopathologic characterization revealed a significant correlation between hnRNPA1-b expression and clinical stage as well as T classification. HnRNPA1-b was found to enhance the Warburg effect through the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby promoting proliferation of HCT116 and SW620 cells. However, the proliferation of HCT116 and SW620 cells was inhibited when miR-490-3p targeted and bound to hnRNPA1-b, effectively blocking the Warburg effect. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the novel miR-490-3p/hnRNPA1-b/PKM2 axis could provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of CC.

Knockdown of DLK4 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer tumor growth by downregulating CKS2.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases and is considered as the most common type of cancer. DLX4 was originally identified as a ß-globin gene suppressor in red blood cells, which plays critical roles in several types of cancers. However, the role and related mechanism of DLX4 in NSCLC are still unclear. The study aimed to uncover the expression of DLX4 in human NSCLC cells and tissues, reveal its possible role in NSCLC, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Immunoblot and TCGA database were used to detect the expression of DLX4 in human NSCLC cells and tissues. CCK-8, colony formation, and FCM assays were conducted to detect the effects of DLX4 on the viability and cell cycle of NCI-H2170 and A549 cells. Immunoblot assays were further performed to investigate the possible mechanism underlying DLX4 affecting the growth of NSCLC. We revealed that knockdown of DLX4 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation. We further revealed that DLX4 knockdown induced the NSCLC cell cycle arrest. Our results further showed that downregulation of DLX4 suppressed YB-1 expression, which further suppressed CKS2 expression, thereby suppressing tumor growth of NSCLC. In conclusion, DLX4 has the potential to serve as a promising drug for NSCLC treatment.

CKS2 Promotes the Growth in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer by Downregulating Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase subunit 2 (CKS2) in tissues and cells in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the function mechanism of CKS2 in NSCLC cell growth and tumorigensis. METHODS: After transfecting NCI-H2170 cells with short-hair RNA (shRNA), an shCKS2 gene-silencing model was established. The cells were divided into a shRNA group and shNC group. For overexpression cell lines, we used the same method to establish the NCI-H2170-CKS2 cell lines. Cell Count Kit-8 assay and colony formation assay were used to determine cell viability and cell growth, respectively. Propidium iodide staining was used to determine cell cycle progression. The mRNA expression of CKS2 and protein expression of CKS2, p21, p53, and PTEN were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. The expression of CKS2, p53, and Ki67 in tissues was determined by immunohistochemical stain. The in vivo tumorigenesis assays were used to determine the ability of CKS2 in tumor growth. RESULTS: The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting assay revealed that CKS2 upregulated expression in NSCLC tissues and cells. The results of the CCK-8 assay revealed that the shRNA group exhibited significantly lower cell viability and foci formation than the empty plasmid group, while CKS2 overexpression induces cell growth and cell cycle progression. The result of nude mice suggested that CKS2 knockdown expression suppressed tumorigenesis in the in vivo animal model. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that CKS2 could be a biomarker in the progression and prognosis of NSCLC.

Homology analysis between clinically isolated extraintestinal and enteral Klebsiella pneumoniae among neonates.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of hospital-associated (HA) infections. It has been reported that gastrointestinal colonization (GI) is likely to be a common and significant reservoir for the transmission and infections of K. pneumoniae in both adults and neonates. However, the homologous relationship between clinically isolated extraintestinal and enteral K. pneumoniae in neonates hasn't been characterized yet. RESULTS: Forty-three isolates from 21 neonatal patients were collected in this study. The proportion of carbapenem resistance was 62.8%. There were 12 patients (12/21, 57.4%) whose antibiotic resistance phenotypes, genotypes, and ST types (STs) were concordant. Six sequence types were detected using MLST, with ST37 and ST54 being the dominant types. The results of MLST were consist with the results of PFGE. CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that there might be a close homologous relationship between extraintestinal K. pneumoniae (EXKP) and enteral K. pneumoniae (EKP) in neonates, indicating that the K. pneumoniae from the GI tract is possibly to be a significant reservoir for causing extraintestinal infections.

Overexpression of CMTM7 inhibits cell growth and migration in liver cancer.

Chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like, MAL and related proteins for vesicle trafficking and membrane link (MARVEL) transmembrane domain-containing family proteins (CMTMs) have significant roles in the immune system, in male reproduction, as well as in tumorigenesis. Previous studies have shown that CMTM family member 7 (CMTM7) was broadly expressed in various normal tissues, but not in lung, gastric, esophageal, pancreas, and cervix cancers. To explore its relationship with liver cancer, we examined the expression of CMTM7 in liver cancers and its correlation with clinical and pathological conditions. We found that CMTM7 expression was markedly reduced in liver cancer tissues, and negatively correlated with TNM staging and tumor metastasis. In vitro studies showed that enforced expression of CMTM7 inhibited the cell growth and migration of liver cancer cells. Further analysis revealed that CMTM7 suppressed AKT signaling and induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in the liver cancer cells, likely as the consequent of decreased levels of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and CDK6, and increased p27 expression. Thus, CMTM7 functions as a tumor suppressor in liver cancer through suppressing cell cycle progression.

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 28 enhances STAT3 signaling and promotes cell growth in non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 28 (USP28) has been reported to play significant roles in several tumors, but its roles in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanisms of USP28 in NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunoblotting analysis was used to detect relative proteins' expression. Luciferase assay was performed to explore the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Immunoprecipitation was performed to assess whether USP28 interacted with STAT3 or deubiquitinated STAT3. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the relative mRNA levels of STAT3 and USP28. Cycloheximide chase assay was carried out to examine whether USP28 affected the half-life of STAT3 protein. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and xenograft model were used to assess whether USP28 regulated NSCLC cell growth. RESULTS: In this study, the deubiquitinating enzyme USP28 was found to mediate STAT3 signaling in NSCLC cells. USP28 interacted with STAT3, and increased the stability of STAT3 by inducing its deubiquitination. Further studies showed that USP28 was upregulated in both the primary tissues and cell lines of NSCLC. The Kaplan-Meier plotter also indicated that USP28 predicted a poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. Moreover, knockdown of USP28 inhibited cell growth of NSCLC cells in vitro and delayed NSCLC tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that USP28 was functional in NSCLC cells, and promoted NSCLC cell growth by inducing STAT3 signaling. This suggests that USP28 could be a novel target for NSCLC therapy.

miR-1269 promotes cell survival and proliferation by targeting tp53 and caspase-9 in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this study, we aim to elucidate the role of miR-1269 in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the results of analyses using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we noted the expression of miR-1269 was increased in lung cancer tissue. miR-1269 expression was detected in both the normal adjacent lung tissue and in the tumorous lung tissue of lung cancer patients, and miR-1269 was more highly expressed in the tumors. High expression of miR-1269 correlated with patients' tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. A Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) analysis and a cloning formation assay showed that overexpression of miR-1269 significantly promoted the growth of A549 cells, and that a lower expression of miR-1269 significantly increased cell apoptosis. We used the TargetScan 6.2 Database to predict the potential targets of miR-1269, and a luciferase activity assay was used to determine the direct interaction between miR-1269, tumor protein p53 (TP53), and caspase-9. Results from Western blots and real-time PCR showed that overexpression of miR-1269 significantly inhibited TP53 and caspase-9 expression. In addition, caspase-3 activity was found to decrease in a miR-1269 mimic group. The results showed that gene silencing of TP53 and caspase-9 significantly inhibited A549 cell growth and promoted cell apoptosis. The results also showed that the inhibition of miR-1269 and caspase-9 expression inhibited cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results demonstrated that TP53 and caspase-9 were expressed in low levels in tumor tissues, and that an inverse correlation exists between miR-1269 expression levels and TP53 or caspase-9 expression levels. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that miR-1269 promotes cell survival and proliferation by targeting TP53 and caspase-9 in lung cancer.

Genetic characterization and in vitro activity of antimicrobial combinations of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from a general hospital in China.

The present study aimed to develop a rational therapy based on the genetic epidemiology, molecular mechanism evaluation and in vitro antibiotic combinations activity in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB). MDRAB was screened by the Kirby-Bauer method. The random amplified polymorphic DNA technique was used to establish genetic fingerprinting, and a series of resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Antimicrobial agents including amikacin (AK), cefoperazone/sulbactam (SCF I/II), meropenem (MEM), minocycline (MINO) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and interactions between antibiotics by the broth microdilution method and chequerboard assays. In total, 34 MDRAB strains were isolated and classified into 8 phenotypes A-H, according to their general drug susceptibilities. A total of 4 major genotypes (I-IV) were clustered at 60% a genotypic similarity threshold. High positive rates of ß-lactamase TEM-1, topoisomerase IV, oxacillinase (OXA)-23, AdeB family multidrug efflux RND transporter adeB, ß-lactamase AmpC, class 1 integrons (Int-1), 16S rRNA methylase rmtA, phosphotransferase aph(3), 16S rRNA methyltransferase armA were presented to exceed 90%, acetylyltransferase aac(3)-I, aac(6'-I, ant(3″)-I, 16S rRNA methylase rmtB, oxacillinase OXA-24 and metallo-ß-lactamase IMP-5 genes demonstrated positive rates of 29.4-85.29%, while adeRS two-component system was not observed in any strain. MEM+SCF I or SCF II primarily exhibited synergistic effects. AK+SCF I, AK+SCF II, MINO+SCF I, MINO+SCF II, MINO+CIP and MINO+MEM primarily presented additive effects. AK+CIP demonstrated 70.59% antagonism. The antibacterial activity of SCF I was superior compared with that of SCF II. The results indicated the polyclonal genetic epidemiological trend of MDRAB in the Second Xiangya Hospital, and verified the complexity of genetic resistance. In addition, combinations suggested to be efficacious were MEM+SCF I and MEM+SCF II, which were more effective compared with other combinations for the management of MDRAB infection.

Urinary metabolomics study the mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction intervention in acute blood stasis model rats based on liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD) is a classic prescription in traditional Chinese medicine and is widely used to promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis. However, the effect mechanisms are not yet well understood. Here, a urinary metabolomic approach based on liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF-MS) was conducted to explore the changes in the endogenous metabolites and to assess the integral efficacy of TSD on acute blood stasis model rats. Then, parameters for hemorheology and coagulation functions were detected. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to investigate the global metabolite alterations and to evaluate the preventive effects of TSD in rats. Potential metabolite markers were found using OPLS-DA and t-test. Furthermore, metabolic pathway analysis was performed to construct metabolic networks. The results showed that TSD could significantly decrease whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity. It also significantly prolonged partial thromboplastin time (APPT) and prothrombin time (PT), increased thrombin time (TT) and lowered fibrinogen content (FIB). Moreover, 24 potential metabolite markers of acute blood stasis were screened, and the levels were all reversed to different degrees after TSD administration. In metabolic networks, amino acid metabolism (arginine and proline metabolism; histidine metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; phenylalanine metabolism) and lipid metabolism (glycerophospholipid metabolism; linoleic acid metabolism; alpha-linolenic acid metabolism) were closely related with the intervention mechanism of TSD on acute blood stasis. The urinary metabolomic approach can be applied to clarify the mechanism of TSD in promoting blood circulation to remove acute blood stasis and to provide the theoretical basis for further research on the therapeutic mechanism of TSD in clinical practice.

Effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction on acute blood stasis in rats based on a LC-Q/TOF-MS metabolomics and network approach.

A novel approach using metabolomics coupled with a metabolic network was used to investigate the effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction (THSWD) on the rat model of acute blood stasis syndrome. Acute blood stasis syndrome was induced by placing the rats in ice-cold water following two injections with epinephrine. The hemorheological indicators [whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV)] and the blood coagulation indicators [thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB)] were detected. The nonparametric univariate method and multivariate statistical analysis were performed for determining the potential biomarkers. A correlation map was structured between biochemical indicators and hub metabolites to explain the effects mechanism of THSWD. After the administration of THSWD, the levels of WBV, PV, TT, APTT and FIB returned to levels observed in the control group. According to metabolomics coupled with metabolic network analysis, the intervention of THSWD in rats with acute blood stasis syndrome induced substantial and characteristic changes in their metabolic profiles. Fifteen metabolites were screened, which mainly involved 10 pathways and five hub metabolites, namely, l-glutamate, l-phenylalanine, N-acylsphingosine, arachidonic acid and phosphatidate. The biochemical indicators and hub metabolites could be adjusted to close to normal levels by THSWD. Therefore, combining metabolomics and metabolic network helped to evaluate the effects of THSWD on acute blood stasis.

In vitro effects of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin C3 on T cell activation, proliferation and cytokine production.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin C3 (SEC3), including recombinant (r)SEC3 protein and lentivirus­mediated SEC3, on the activation, proliferation and cytokine production of human T cells. HeLa cells were infected with SEC3 lentiviral vector (LV­SEC3) and viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit­8 (CCK­8) assay. Subsequently, infected cells or rSEC3 protein were co­cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for 10 days, after which the culture supernatant and T cells were incubated with untreated HeLa cells, which were subjected to a CCK­8 assay to determine cytotoxicity. In addition, IL­6 and IFN­Î³ expression was detected by chemiluminescence and enzyme­linked immunospot analyses, respectively. Subpopulations of activated T cells were sorted by flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that, following infection with LV­SEC3 or negative control lentiviral vector (LV­NC), >80% of HeLa cells presented green fluorescent protein­positive signals. All five groups of co­cultured T cells exhibited proliferation. Co­culture of PBMCs with rSEC3 protein or LV­SEC­infected cells resulted in elevated IL­6 and IFN­Î³ secretion. In addition, rSEC3­activated and monocultured T cells were predominantly cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ (62.7 and 59.6%, respectively) whereas phytohemagglutinin­stimulated T cells were predominantly CD8+ (57.8%). Compared with the LV­NC group, T cells and culture supernatants from the LV­SEC3 group significantly attenuated proliferation of HeLa cells. These results suggest that rSEC3 protein, and LV­SEC3­infected HeLa cells, are able to potently activate T cells, increasing cytokine production and amplify the antitumor immune response.

ST37 Klebsiella pneumoniae: development of carbapenem resistance in vivo during antimicrobial therapy in neonates.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism leading to in vivo carbapenem resistance development in Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: Carbapenemase was detected using the modified carbapenem inactivation method. ß-lactamases resistant genes were identified by PCR and sequencing. Clonal relatedness was evaluated by random amplified polymorphic DNA and multiple locus sequence typing. The relationship between sequence typing and resistant genes was analyzed by using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: All ST37 carbapenem-resistant isolates were blaOXA-1 positive and all ST37 carbapenem-sensitive isolates were blaOXA-1 negative at Stage I. A significant relationship between carbapenem resistance and blaOXA-1 was observed. The blaOXA-1 -positive rate was significantly higher in ST37 K. pneumoniae than others. CONCLUSION: This is the first study about the development of carbapenem resistance in vivo potentially mediated by blaOXA-1 in ST37 K. pneumoniae among neonates.

Urine metabonomic study for blood-replenishing mechanism of Angelica sinensis in a blood-deficient mouse model.

This study aimed at determining the effects of Angelica sinensis (AS) on urinary metabolites in blood deficiency mice and exploring its replenishing blood mechanism. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to detect metabolites in the urine samples in different collection periods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to investigate the differences in metabolic profiles among control group (CG), blood deficiency model group (MG), AS groups, and Colla Corii Asini group (CCAG). The potential biomarkers were identified based on the variable importance in the projection (VIP), T-test, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and mass spectra library. The metabolites were analyzed using metabolomics pathway analysis (MetPA) to build the metabolic pathways. Our results indicated that, on the seventh day, the levels of glucose, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, alanine, acetoacetic acid, and citric acid changed significantly in blood deficiency mice. However, these metabolic deviations came to closer to normal levels after AS intervention. The reversing blood-deficiency mechanism of AS might involve regulating synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, Pyruvate metabolism, TCA cycle, and Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, metabonomics is a robust and promising means for the identification of biomarkers and elucidation of the mechanisms of a disease, thereby highlighting its importance in drug discovery.

The investigation of anti-inflammatory activity of volatile oil of Angelica sinensis by plasma metabolomics approach.

Angelica sinensis (AS) is an important medicinal plant, and volatile oil is the main pharmacologically active ingredient. This study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the volatile oil of A. sinensis (VOAS) and explore its potential anti-inflammatory mechanism by plasma metabolomics approach. Rat acute inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan in hind paws. Paw edema, histamine (HIS) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected. Then, we analyzed plasma metabolic profiling of acute inflammation and performed pathway analysis on the metabolite markers reversed after VOAS administration and further integration of metabolic networks. The results showed that VOAS could alleviate the paw edema and decrease plasma HIS and 5-HT levels. Fourteen metabolite markers of acute inflammation were screened, and the levels were all reversed to different degrees after VOAS administration. These metabolite markers mainly related to linoleic acid metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. In metabolic networks, glycine and arachidonic acid were node molecules. It indicated that VOAS could significantly inhibit systemic inflammatory response triggered by acute local stimulation and it exerted anti-inflammatory activity mainly through regulating the disturbed metabolic networks centered on glycine and arachidonic acid.

Outbreak of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae causing neonatal infection in a teaching hospital in mainland China.

The emergence and spread of bacteria carrying the bla(NDM-1) gene has become a worldwide concern. Here, we report eight cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae with bla(NDM-1) in the neonatal ward of a teaching hospital in mainland China. Multilocus sequence typing showed that seven isolates were clonally related and confirmed them as sequence type 17 (ST17). One isolate belonged to ST433. These findings suggest continuous spread of bla(NDM-1) in mainland China and emphasize the need for intensive surveillance and precautions.

Metabolomics study of hematopoietic function of Angelica sinensis on blood deficiency mice model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Angelica sinensis (AS) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to enrich and invigorate blood. In this study, the aim is to investigate the influence of AS on metabolism of blood deficiency mice model and to explore its anti-blood deficiency mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood deficiency mice model was induced by being hypodermically injected with N-acetyl phenylhydrazine (APH) and being intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (CTX). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to identify potential biomarkers in plasma and splenic tissue. RESULTS: The levels of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and platelet (PLT) showed a trend to return to control group after administrating with AS, while the dose of 10g/kg showed the best effect. Potential metabolite biomarkers (nine in the plasma and nine in the spleen homogenates) were identified in this study. These biomarkers were mainly related to five metabolic pathways, such as arachidonic acid metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism and TCA cycle. CONCLUSION: Metabolomics was used to reflect an organism׳s physiological and metabolic state comprehensively, indicating that metabolomics was a potentially powerful tool to reveal the anti-blood deficiency mechanism of AS.

Metabonomic analysis of the anti-inflammatory effects of volatile oils of Angelica sinensis on rat model of acute inflammation.

Metabonomics based on GC-MS was used to study the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms of volatile oils of Angelica sinensis (VOAS) in rats with acute inflammation. Acute inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan in rats. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), histamine (HIS) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the inflammatory fluid were detected. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis models were performed for pattern recognition analysis. After the administration of VOAS, the levels of PGE2 , HIS, and 5-HT returned to levels observed in normal group. According to GC-MS analysis, the intervention of VOAS in rats with acute inflammation induced substantial and characteristic changes in their metabolic profiles. Fourteen metabolite biomarkers, namely, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, trans-dehydroandrosterone, aldosterone, linoleic acid, hexadecanoic acid, pregnenolone, octadecenoic acid, myristic acid, l-histidine, octadecanoic acid, arachidonic acid (AA) and l-tryptophan, were detected in the inflammatory fluid. The levels of all biomarkers either increased or decreased significantly in model groups. VOAS possibly intervened in the metabolic process of inflammation by altering histidine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, AA metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism and energy metabolism. Metabonomics was used to reflect an organism's physiological and metabolic state comprehensively, and it is a potentially powerful tool that reveals the anti-acute-inflammatory mechanism of VOAS.

Metabolomics research on the hepatoprotective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) have an established hepatoprotective effect, but the mechanism for this effect remains unclear. A novel approach using biochemical parameters coupled with metabolomics based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemometrics was established in this study to explain the hepatoprotective effect mechanism of ASP. The superoxide dismutase activity, malonaldehyde content, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in plasma were measured. Pathological changes in the liver were observed. Plasma and liver homogenate obtained from mice were analyzed using GC-MS. Distinct changes in metabolite patterns in the plasma and liver homogenate after being induced by carbon tetrachloride and drug intervention were observed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA). Potential biomarkers were found using PLS-DA and T-test. The results of the pathological changes observed in the liver, the biochemical parameters in plasma, and the metabolomics of the plasma and liver homogenate all showed that liver injury was successfully reproduced, ASP exhibited hepatoprotective effect, and the medium dose of ASP exhibited the best. Nine endogenous metabolites in the liver homogenate and ten endogenous metabolites in the plasma were all considered as potential biomarkers. They were considered to be in response to hepatoprotective effects of ASP involved in the amino acids metabolism, energy metabolism, and lipids metabolism. Therefore metabolomics is a valuable tool in measuring the efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines.

[Comparative metabonomics study on urine in rat treated by Angelica sinensis volatile oil].

Metabonomics was employed to investigate the effect of Angelica sinensis volatile oil (ASVO) to the endogenous metabolites of normal rats, and to reveal the possible ways of metabolism in rats caused by ASVO. The fifty male Waster rats were randomly divided into five groups (each consists of 10 rats), such as control group, high dose group of ASVO, middle dose group of ASVO, low dose group of ASVO, and Aspirin group. They were given 0.9% saline, 0.352 mL x kg(-1) ASVO, 0.176 mL x kg(-1) ASVO, 0.088 mL x kg(-1) ASVO and ASP respectively with the equal volume of 0.2 mL. Drugs and vehicle were given for 3 successive days. The urine was collected at 12, 24, 36, 48 h after modeling with metabolic cages. Rat urine metabolic fingerprint in different stages was analyzed using GC-MS, based on which the principal component analysis (PCA)and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were established for metabonomic analysis. Potential biomarkers were screened by using variable importance in the projection (VIP) and T test. It was revealed that the middle dose of ASVO at 36 h induces a substantial change in rat urine. Compared with control group, seven kinds of endogenous metabolites in ASP group and ASVO group change significantly (P < 0.05), among which aconitic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, alpha-ketone glutaric acid, glycine and malic acid content had an upward trend (P < 0.05) and prostaglandin content had a downward trend (P < 0.01). The mechanism of ASVO and ASP have the similarity. It is likely that ASVO intervenes the metabolic process by affecting the energy, amino acid and lipid metabolism. Our work also indicates that rats administrated with ASVO can increase the energy metabolism of the body, induce the production of inflammatory substances and strengthen the body's immune ability. The result has also provide a proof for futher interpret ASVO pharmacological effects.