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Li Y, Wu Y, Li H, Wang M, Gao Y, Pei S, Liu S, Liu Z, Liu Z, Men L. UPLC-QTOF-MS based metabolomics unravels the modulatory effect of ginseng water extracts on rats with Qi-deficiency. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 242:116019. [PMID: 38382315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116019] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Ginseng is commonly used as a nutritional supplement and daily wellness product due to its ability to invigorate qi. As a result, individuals with Qi-deficiency often use ginseng as a health supplement. Ginsenosides and polysaccharides are the primary components of ginseng. However, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of these components in Qi-deficiency remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the modulatory effects and mechanisms of ginseng water extract, ginsenosides, and ginseng polysaccharides in a rat model of Qi-deficiency using metabolomics and network analysis. The rat model of Qi-deficiency was established via swimming fatigue and a restricted diet. Oral administration of different ginseng water extracts for 30 days primarily alleviated oxidative stress and disrupted energy metabolism and immune response dysfunction caused by Qi-deficiency in rats. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) was used for untargeted serum metabolomic analysis. Based on the analysis results, the active constituents of ginseng significantly reversed the changes in serum biomarkers related to Qi-deficiency in rats, particularly energy, amino acid, and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. Furthermore, analysis of the metabolite-gene network suggested that the anti-Qi-deficiency effects of the ginseng components were mainly associated with toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and inflammatory response. Additional verification revealed that treatment with the ginseng components effectively reduced the inflammatory response and activation of the myocardial TLR4/NF-κB pathway induced by Qi-deficiency, especially the ginseng water extracts. Therefore, ginseng could be an effective preventive measure against the progression of Qi-deficiency by regulating metabolic and inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyi Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Yi Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China.
| | - Hanlin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Meiyuan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Yang Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Shuhua Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Shu Liu
- National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun & Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun & Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Zhongying Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Lihui Men
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China.
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Wu J, Fang S, Feng P, Cai C, Zhang L, Yang L. Changes in expression levels of Nod-like receptors in the spleen of ewes. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20220093. [PMID: 37228386 PMCID: PMC10205055 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors (NOD-like receptors, NLRs) have critical effects on interfaces of the immune and reproductive systems, and the spleen plays a key role in both innate and adaptive immune functions. It is hypothesized that NLR family participates in maternal splenic immune regulation during early pregnancy in sheep. In this study, maternal spleens were collected on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation (n = 6 for each group) in ewes. Expression of NLR family, including NOD1, NOD2, class II transactivator (CIITA), NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, Leucine rich repeat and Pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3 and NLRP7, was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results revealed that expression levels of NOD1, NOD2, CIITA and NLRP3 were downregulated at days 13 and 16 of pregnancy, but expression of NLRP3 was increased at day 25 of pregnancy. In addition, expression values of NAIP and NLRP7 mRNA and proteins were improved at days 16 and 25 of pregnancy, and NLRP1 was peaked at days 13 and 16 of pregnancy in the maternal spleen. Furthermore, NOD2 and NLRP7 proteins were limited to the capsule, trabeculae and splenic cords. In summary, early pregnancy changes expression of NLR family in the maternal spleen, which may be related with the maternal splenic immunomodulation during early pregnancy in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxuan Wu
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Shengya Fang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Pengfei Feng
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Chunjiang Cai
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Leying Zhang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
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Modulation of Nod-like Receptor Expression in the Thymus during Early Pregnancy in Ewes. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122128. [PMID: 36560538 PMCID: PMC9781860 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors (NOD-like receptors, NLRs) are involved in modulating the innate immune responses of the trophoblast and the placenta in normal pregnancy. The thymus participates in regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. However, it is unclear whether expression of NLR is modulated in the maternal thymus during early pregnancy. In this study, thymuses were sampled at day 16 of the estrous cycle, and at days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation (n = 6 for each group) from ewes after slaughter. Different stages were chosen because the maternal thymus was under the different effects of interferon-tau and/or progesterone or not. RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to analyze the expression of the NLR family, including NOD1; NOD2; major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator (CIITA); NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP); nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and Leucine-rich repeat and Pyrin domain containing protein 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3 and NLRP7. The results showed that expression level of NOD1 was changed with the pregnancy stages, and expression levels of NOD2, CIITA, NAIP, NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRP7 mRNA and proteins were peaked at day 13 of pregnancy. The levels of NOD2 and CIITA were increased during early pregnancy. The stainings for NOD2 and NLRP7 proteins were located in epithelial reticular cells, capillaries and thymic corpuscles. In summary, pregnancy stages changed expression of NLR family in the maternal thymus, which may be related to the modulation of maternal thymic immune responses, and beneficial for normal pregnancy in sheep.
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Lin ZH, Jin J, Shan XY. The effects of estradiol on inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction in rats with preeclampsia. Int J Mol Med 2020; 45:825-835. [PMID: 31985028 PMCID: PMC7015126 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy, has adverse effects to both the mother and the fetus. Maternal inflammatory and vascular endothelial dysfunction are important factors in the pathogenesis of PE. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of estradiol (E2) on inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction in an N (omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced rat model of PE. Adult pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups between days 7 and 11 of gestation and treated as follows: i) Pregnant rats receiving daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of equal volume of 0.9% normal saline (NS) (Control group, n=12); ii) pregnant rats receiving daily i.p. injections of L-NAME at 50 mg/kg (L-NAME group, n=12); iii) pregnant rats receiving a daily i.p. injection of 50 mg/kg L-NAME and NS from day 11 (L-NAME + NS group, n=12); and iv) pregnant rats receiving daily i.p. injections of 50 mg/kg L-NAME and 100 µg/kg/day E2 from day 11 (L-NAME + E2 group, n=12). On day 21, blood pressure (BP) and the level of 24-h urine protein in the maternal rats, fetal weight and percentage of stillbirths following a cesarean section were recorded. The activities of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), the levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1], adherence factors (CD49d, intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1) and uterine angiogenic status (Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule and matrix metalloproteinase 2/9) were also assessed. In addition, the histopathology of the placenta, the expression of estrogen receptor α 36 (ERα36), ERα, ERβ and G protein-coupled ER, as well as the activation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway (TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response 88, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6) were evaluated by H&E staining, immunofluorescence and western blot assays. Treatment with L-NAME increased the BP, urine protein and rate of stillbirths and suppressed fetal weight compared with those in the control group. The L-NAME-induced effects were attenuated by the administration of E2. In addition, the administration of E2 decreased inflammation and NO levels and altered the uterine angiogenic status. The histological analysis of PE rat placenta in the E2-treated group confirmed the effects on biochemical parameters. Of note, E2 treatment significantly suppressed the TLR4 signaling pathway. In the rat model of PE, adverse outcomes including BP, fetal rat weight and proteinuria, high neonatal death rate, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction were attenuated by exogenous E2 administration, which may present a novel approach for the clinical treatment of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Heng Lin
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The People's Hospital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, P.R. China
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The People's Hospital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, P.R. China
| | - Xi-Yun Shan
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The People's Hospital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, P.R. China
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Shirasuna K, Karasawa T, Takahashi M. Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Preeclampsia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:80. [PMID: 32161574 PMCID: PMC7053284 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction involves tightly regulated series of events and the immune system is involved in an array of reproductive processes. Disruption of well-controlled immune functions leads to infertility, placental inflammation, and numerous pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE). Inflammasomes are involved in the process of pathogen clearance and sterile inflammation. They are large multi-protein complexes that are located in the cytosol and play key roles in the production of the pivotal inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and pyroptosis. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key mediator of sterile inflammation induced by various types of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Recent evidence indicates that the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in pregnancy dysfunction, including PE. Many DAMPs (uric acid, palmitic acid, high-mobility group box 1, advanced glycation end products, extracellular vesicles, cell-free DNA, and free fatty acids) are increased and associated with pregnancy complications, especially PE. This review focuses on the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathophysiology of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koumei Shirasuna
- Department of Animal Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Japan
- *Correspondence: Koumei Shirasuna
| | - Tadayoshi Karasawa
- Division of Inflammation Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Masafumi Takahashi
- Division of Inflammation Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
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Trophoblastic debris modifies endothelial cell transcriptome in vitro: a mechanism by which fetal cells might control maternal responses to pregnancy. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30632. [PMID: 27468655 PMCID: PMC4965770 DOI: 10.1038/srep30632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms by which the fetus induces maternal physiological adaptations to pregnancy are unclear. Cellular debris, shed from the placental syncytiotrophoblast into the maternal blood and phagocytosed by maternal endothelial and immune cells, may be one of these mechanisms. Here we show that trophoblastic debris from normal first trimester placentae induces changes in the transcriptome and proteome of endothelial cells in vitro, which might contribute to the adaptation of the maternal cardiovascular system to pregnancy. Trophoblastic debris also induced endothelial cells to transcribe placenta-specific genes, including the vasodilator hormone CSH1, thereby expanding the effective functional size of the placenta. Our data suggest that the deportation of trophoblastic debris is an important part of the complex network of feto-maternal communication.
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