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Peng Y, Huang Y, Li H, Li C, Wu Y, Wang X, Wang Q, He J, Miao C. Associations between rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal flora, with special emphasis on RA pathologic mechanisms to treatment strategies. Microb Pathog 2024; 188:106563. [PMID: 38331355 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints. Individuals at risk for RA and people with RA develop intestinal dysbiosis. The changes in intestinal flora composition in preclinical and confirmed RA patients suggest that intestinal flora imbalance may play an important role in the induction and persistence of RA. METHODS Based on the current research on the interaction between RA and intestinal microbiota, intestinal microbiota metabolites and intestinal barrier changes. This paper systematically summarized the changes in intestinal microbiota in RA patients, the metabolites of intestinal flora, and the influence mechanism of intestinal barrier on RA, and further discussed the influence of drugs for RA on intestinal flora and its mechanism of action. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, α diversity analysis of intestinal flora showed no significant difference, β diversity analysis showed significant differences. The intestinal flora produces bioactive metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and aromatic amino acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects. Abnormal intestinal flora leads to impaired barrier function and mucosal immune dysfunction, promoting the development of inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and chemical drugs can also alleviate RA by regulating intestinal flora, intestinal flora metabolites, and intestinal barrier. Intestinal flora is closely related to the pathogenesis of RA and may become potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal flora and its metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as RA, and are expected to become a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment, providing a new idea for targeted treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yurong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yajie Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Humanistic Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Fengyang, Anhui, China
| | - Juan He
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Luan H, Chen S, Zhao L, Liu S, Luan T. Precise Lipidomics Decipher Circulating Ceramide and Sphingomyelin Cycle Associated with the Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:3893-3900. [PMID: 37883661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune condition that causes joint and surrounding tissue inflammation. Lipid mediators are involved in inflammation and deterioration of the joints. Despite attempts to discover effective drug targets to intervene with lipid metabolism in the disease, progress has been limited. In this study, precise lipidomic technology was employed to quantify a broad range of serum ceramides and sphingomyelin (SM) in a large cohort, revealing an association between the accumulation of circulating ceramides and disturbed ceramide/SM cycles during the progression of RA. In our investigation, we discovered that eight ceramides exhibited a positive correlation with the activity of RA, thereby enhancing the accuracy of RA diagnosis, particularly in patients with serum antibody-negative RA. Furthermore, the enzyme SM phosphodiesterase 3 (SMPD3) was found to disrupt the circulating SM cycle and accelerate the progression of RA. The activity of SMPD3 can be inhibited by methotrexate, resulting in decreased metabolic conversion of SM to ceramide. These findings suggest that targeting the SM cycle may provide a new therapeutic option for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemi Luan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shuailong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Longshan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Shijia Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicin, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Tiangang Luan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
- Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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Chen Y, Qiu S, Qiu F, Li G, Gan L, Huang B, Yang L. Investigation of the regulatory mechanism of lijie capsules on gut microbiota in rheumatoid arthritis. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2023; 66:220-227. [PMID: 37635481 DOI: 10.4103/cjop.cjop-d-22-00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lijie Capsules (LJJN) are a classical Chinese herbal formula adopted to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinically, yet the regulatory mechanism underlying the protection of LJJN against RA has not been fully elucidated. Here, the animal model of RA was established by complete Freund's adjuvant administration in mice. About 60 mg/ml of LJJN was used for treatment. The histological change of ankle joint was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The inflammatory cytokines were detected using ELISA kits. The protein associated with inflammation and GLUD2 was detected using Western blot. The mice feces were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The levels of glutamate (Glu) and α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) were detected using their detection kits. In addition, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were stimulated by Glu to induce an injured synoviocytes model in vitro, with or without LJJN treatment for 48 h. It was demonstrated that LJJN alleviated ankle joint swelling and synovial injury in RA mice. Meanwhile, LJJN inactivated nuclear factor kappa B signaling and suppressed inflammation of RA mice. The disordered gut microbiota composition in RA mice was partly restored by LJJN. Bacteroides-mediated Glu metabolism was impacted in RA mice, and LJJN contributed to the conversion of Glu to α-KG in RA mice. In addition, the in vitro results revealed that LJJN could block Glu-induced inflammation in FLSs but had no direct influence on α-KG and GLUD2 levels. In summary, LJJN exerted a protective role against ankle joint injury and inflammation in RA, which might be partly associated with gut microbiota-mediated Glu metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiang Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shaobin Qiu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Fei Qiu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Guoyuan Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lixian Gan
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Binghui Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lingmei Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Lu Q, Feng Q, Yu J, Tong L, Zhang J, Sun J, Zhao J, Xiong Z. Metabolomics and serum pharmacochemistry revealed the preventive mechanism of Gushudan in kidney-yang-deficiency-syndrome rats. Biomed Chromatogr 2023; 37:e5569. [PMID: 36527197 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Kidney-yang-deficiency-syndrome (KYDS) is a metabolic disease caused by neuroendocrine disorder. Gushudan (GSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with the effect of nourishing kidney and strengthening bones. In this study, the mechanism of preventive effect of GSD on KYDS was explored by integrating metabolomics and serum pharmacochemistry. Reversed-phase/hydrophilic interaction chromatography-ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (RP/HILIC-UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS)-based serum metabolomics indicated metabolic disturbances of KYDS rats, and 50 potential biomarkers including l-threonine, succinic acid and phytosphingosine were obtained, which were mainly involved in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, citrate cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle) and glycerophospholipid metabolism, among others. Serum pharmacochemistry identified 29 prototypical ingredients and 9 metabolites of GSD after administration, such as icaritin and xanthotoxol. The combination of 10 serum migration ingredients in GSD, including icaritin and osthole, with 7 important targets, including AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and MAPK14, was found to be key for GSD to prevent KYDS in the network pharmacology study. This study provided a new idea for the research of pathogenesis of diseases and the pharmacodynamic mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qisheng Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jiaxin Yu
- Sunwah International Business School, Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lin Tong
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jinghan Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zhili Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, China
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Luo X, Zhang B, Pan Y, Gu J, Tan R, Gong P. Phyllanthus emblica aqueous extract retards hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in NAFLD mice in association with the reshaping of intestinal microecology. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:893561. [PMID: 35959433 PMCID: PMC9360598 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.893561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulation of the intestinal flora potentially contributes to the occurrence and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Phyllanthus emblica (PE), an edible and medicinal natural resource, exerts excellent effects on ameliorating NAFLD, but the potential mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, a mouse NAFLD model was established by administering a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD). The protective effects of the aqueous extract of PE (AEPE) on the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in NAFLD mice were detected by performing 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. The administration of middle- and high-dose AEPE decreased the levels of ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and Hyp and increased HDL-C levels in CDAHFD-fed mice. Hematoxylin–eosin (H&E), Oil Red O, and Masson’s trichrome staining indicated that AEPE treatment attenuated hepatic steatosis and fibrotic lesions. Moreover, the disordered intestinal microflora was remodeled by AEPE, including decreases in the abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae, Faecalibaculum, and Romboutsia. The untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that AEPE restored the disturbed glutathione metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis of the gut bacterial community in NAFLD mice, which strongly correlated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Collectively, AEPE potentially ameliorates NAFLD induced by a CDAHFD through a mechanism associated with its modulatory effects on the gut microbiota and microbial metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Luo
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Boyu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yehua Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Gu
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Tan
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Puyang Gong
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Puyang Gong,
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