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Liu Q, Xia Z, Huang T, Yang F, Wang X, Yang F. Establishment of reference intervals for plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-17A in healthy adults from the Jiangsu region of eastern China using flow cytometry: A single-center study. Cytokine 2024; 179:156594. [PMID: 38581867 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156594] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines are of utmost importance in both the physiological and pathological immune responses of the human body. This study utilized flow cytometry to measure the levels of plasma interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and established their reference intervals, aiming to provide data support for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases. METHODS According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 728 reference individuals were included in this study from January 2023 to June 2023. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to analyse the distributions of plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17A. The reference intervals of plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17A were established by the unilateral percentile method (95th percentile) based on the guidelines of C28-A 3 and WS/T 402-2012. RESULTS In this study, the levels of plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17A were nonnormally distributed. The concentrations of plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17A in healthy adults were not significantly different by sex or age (all P > 0.05). Therefore, all the reference individuals were combined into one group, and the reference intervals of plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17 were established by flow cytometry (IL-2 ≤ 10.25 pg/mL, IL-4 ≤ 9.87 pg/mL, IL-5 ≤ 3.36 pg/mL and IL-17A ≤ 9.46 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS We first established the reference intervals of plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17A in healthy adults based on a single-center population in the Jiangsu region in eastern China, which will provide an important reference value for evaluating human immune status and the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang Affiliated with Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, PR China
| | - Zhengping Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang Affiliated with Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, PR China
| | - Tingting Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Donghai County People's Hospital, Lianyungang, PR China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang Affiliated with Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, PR China
| | - Xizhen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang Affiliated with Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, PR China
| | - Fumeng Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang Affiliated with Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College of Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, PR China.
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Fan Y, Liu W, Jin Y, Lu H, Liu C, Wang A, Gu Q, Ka Y. To Investigate the Mechanism of Qinpi Tongfeng Formula in Treating Acute Gouty Arthritis by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:3475-3498. [PMID: 38828049 PMCID: PMC11144412 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s454098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by the accumulation of monosodium urate crystals within the joints, leading to inflammation and severe pain. Western medicine treatments have limitations in addressing this condition. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of Qinpi Tongfeng formula (QPTFF) in treating AGA, but further investigation is needed to understand its mechanism of action. Methods We used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS) to identify compounds in QPTFF. Target proteins regulated by these compounds were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, Chemistry Database, and Swiss Target Prediction Database. AGA-related targets were searched and screened from various databases, including Genecards, PharmGKB, Drugbank, etc. Intersection targets of QPTFF and AGA were analyzed for protein-protein interaction networks, GO function enrichment, and KEGG pathway enrichment. We then verified QPTFF's mechanism of action using an AGA rat model, assessing pathological changes via H&E staining and target expression via ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. Results UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS identified 207 compounds in QPTFF, with 55 selected through network pharmacology. Of 589 compound-regulated targets and 1204 AGA-related targets, 183 potential targets were implicated in QPTFF's treatment of AGA. Main target proteins included IL-1β, NFKBIA, IL-6, TNF, CXCL8, and MMP9, with the IL-17 signaling pathway primarily regulated by QPTFF. Experimental results showed that medium and high doses of QPTFF significantly reduced serum inflammatory factors and MMP-9 expression, and inhibited IL-17A, IL-6, IKK-β, and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in AGA rats compared to the model group. Conclusion Key targets of QPTFF include IL-1β, NFKBIA, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL8, and MMP9. QPTFF effectively alleviates joint inflammation in AGA rats, with high doses demonstrating no liver or kidney toxicity. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism in treating AGA involves the IL-17A/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Fan
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Jin
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hang Lu
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunliu Liu
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aihua Wang
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingxiang Gu
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuxiu Ka
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunity, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
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Xiao N, Xie Z, He Z, Xu Y, Zhen S, Wei Y, Zhang X, Shen J, Wang J, Tian Y, Zuo J, Peng J, Li Z. Pathogenesis of gout: Exploring more therapeutic target. Int J Rheum Dis 2024; 27:e15147. [PMID: 38644732 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.15147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Gout is a chronic metabolic and immune disease, and its specific pathogenesis is still unclear. When the serum uric acid exceeds its saturation in the blood or tissue fluid, it is converted to monosodium urate crystals, which lead to acute arthritis of varying degrees, urinary stones, or irreversible peripheral joint damage, and in severe cases, impairment of vital organ function. Gout flare is a clinically significant state of acute inflammation in gout. The current treatment is mostly anti-inflammatory analgesics, which have numerous side effects with limited treatment methods. Gout pathogenesis involves many aspects. Therefore, exploring gout pathogenesis from multiple perspectives is conducive to identifying more therapeutic targets and providing safer and more effective alternative treatment options for patients with gout flare. Thus, this article is of great significance for further exploring the pathogenesis of gout. The author summarizes the pathogenesis of gout from four aspects: signaling pathways, inflammatory factors, intestinal flora, and programmed cell death, focusing on exploring more new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niqin Xiao
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Zhaohu Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Zhiyan He
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yundong Xu
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Shuyu Zhen
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wei
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Jiayan Shen
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Jian Wang
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yadan Tian
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Jinlian Zuo
- First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Jiangyun Peng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Zhaofu Li
- Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
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Wang H, Chu Z, Ni T, Chen D, Dai X, Jiang W, Sunagawa M, Liu Y. Effect and mechanism of aqueous extract of Chinese herbal prescription (TFK) in treating gout arthritis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 321:117527. [PMID: 38056535 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE With the rapid development of China's economic level, great changes have taken place in people's diet structure, gout has become a common disease that puzzles people's health, seriously affects the realization of China's "Healthy China" strategic goal. Gouty arthritis (GA) is a common joint disease caused by chronic purine metabolism disorder. Currently, drugs used to treat GA are allopurinol and colchicine. However, these drugs can only temporarily relieve the clinical symptoms of GA with significant side effects. More and more basic and clinical studies have confirmed that Traditional Chinese medicine has definite curative effect on GA. AIM OF THE STUDY To elucidate the potential molecular mechanism of Tongfengkang (TFK) in the treatment of GA, and to provide experimental basis for the search and development of efficient and low-toxicity Chinese medicine for GA treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Aqueous extract of TFK (AETFK) were determined by liquid phase high resolution mass spectrometry and the possible effective constituents were screened out. Acute GA model rats were established to detect the anti-inflammatory and detumification effects of AETFK on GA and explore the potential mechanism. The effect of AETFK on serum uric acid and urinary uric acid levels in acute GA rats was determined by automatic biochemical analyzer, and the effect of AETFK on the expression of acute GA-related immunoinflammatory factors were determined by protein thermal fluorescence chip. The effect of AETFK on the concentration of neutrophils in the joint fluid of acute GA rats were determined by Reichs-Giemsa staining. The effect of AETFK on macrophage activation was detected by ELISA. In order to further investigate the mechanism of AETFK in the treatment of GA, a rat model of hyperuricemia was established to detect the effect of AETFK on the level of uric acid in hyperuricemia model rats. Biochemical indexes of liver and kidney and hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) were used to evaluate the effects of AETFK on the organs, and to preliminatively evaluate the safety of ventilation confufang. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the joint swelling degree of GA rats in AETFK treatment group were significantly reduced, and the levels of blood uric acid and urine uric acid were also significantly decreased. Protein thermal fluorescence microarray results showed that the levels of gout - related inflammatory factors in GA rats in AETFK treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group. Reichsen-giemsa staining and ELISA showed that AETFK could reduce the activation of macrophages and the accumulation of neutrophils in the joint fluid. The results of liver and kidney biochemical indexes and HE staining showed that no obvious tissue damage was observed in the organs of rats treated with AETFK. CONCLUSIONS AETFK not only has significant anti-inflammatory effects on GA, but also can significantly reduce the level of blood uric acid in GA rats, without obvious toxic and side effects. These effects may be related to AETFK's inhibition of neutrophil enrichment and macrophage activation during early inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China.
| | - Zewen Chu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China.
| | - Tengyang Ni
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China.
| | - Dawei Chen
- Research Unit of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU014), NHC Key Lab of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, 100022, China.
| | - Xiaojun Dai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China.
| | - Wei Jiang
- College of Environmental Science & Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225127, China.
| | - Masataka Sunagawa
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, 142, Japan.
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China.
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Al B, Bruno M, Röring RJ, Moorlag SJCFM, Suen TK, Klück V, Liu R, Debisarun PA, Gaal O, Bhat J, Kabelitz D, van de Veerdonk FL, Joosten LAB, Netea MG, Placek K. Peripheral T Cell Populations are Differentially Affected in Familial Mediterranean Fever, Chronic Granulomatous Disease, and Gout. J Clin Immunol 2023; 43:2033-2048. [PMID: 37714974 PMCID: PMC10661758 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Both innate errors of immunity, such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), and the common inflammatory disease gout are characterized by episodes of sterile inflammatory attacks in the absence of an infection. While these disorders encompass distinct pathologies due to differentially affected metabolic pathways and inflammasome activation mechanisms, their common features are the excessive production of interleukin (IL)-1ß and innate immune cell hyperreactivity. On the other hand, the role of T cells and innate-like lymphocytes such as gamma delta (γδ) T cells in these pathologies is ill-defined. In order to widen our understanding of T cell involvement in CGD, FMF and gout pathology, we developed multicolour immunophenotyping panels for flow cytometry to characterize γδ T cells as well as CD4 and CD8 T cell populations in terms of their cytokine production, activation status, memory or naive phenotypes, exhaustion status, homing receptor expression, and cytotoxic activity. Our study is the first deep immunophenotyping analysis of T cell populations in CGD, FMF, and gout patients. We found that CGD affects the frequencies and activation status of T cells, while gout impairs the cytokine production capacity of Vδ2 T cells. FMF was characterized by decreased percentages of regulatory T cells in circulation and attenuated IFN-γ production capacity by Vδ2 T cells. Autoinflammatory syndromes and congenital defects of phagocyte differentially affect T cell compartments. Future studies are warranted to assess whether these phenotypical changes are relevant for disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Al
- Department of Immunology and Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mariolina Bruno
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rutger J Röring
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Simone J C F M Moorlag
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tsz Kin Suen
- Department of Immunology and Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Viola Klück
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ruiqi Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Priya A Debisarun
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Orsolya Gaal
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jaydeep Bhat
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Dieter Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frank L van de Veerdonk
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Leo A B Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Immunology and Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Katarzyna Placek
- Department of Immunology and Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Wang Y, Xu Y, Tan J, Ye J, Cui W, Hou J, Liu P, Li J, Wang S, Zhao Q. Anti-inflammation is an important way that Qingre-Huazhuo-Jiangsuan recipe treats acute gouty arthritis. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1268641. [PMID: 37881185 PMCID: PMC10597652 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1268641] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Currently, existing therapeutic agents exhibit definite efficacy but also lead to serious adverse reactions. Therefore, it is essential to develop highly efficient therapeutic agents with minimal adverse reactions, especially within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Additionally, food polyphenols have shown potential in treating various inflammatory diseases. The Qingre-Huazhuo-Jiangsuan-Recipe (QHJR), a modification of Si-Miao-San (SMS), has emerged as a TCM remedy for AGA with no reported side effects. Recent research has also highlighted a strong genetic link to gout. Methods: The TCM System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to collect the main chemical components of QHJR and AGA-related targets for predicting the metabolites in QHJR. HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was employed to identify the ingredients of QHJR. The collected metabolites were then used to construct a Drugs-Targets Network in Cytoscape software, ranked based on their "Degree" of significance. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database using GEO2R online analysis. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. The DEGs were utilized to construct a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Network via the STRING database. In vivo experimental validation was conducted using colchicine, QHJR, rapamycin (RAPA), and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) as controls to observe QHJR's efficacy in AGA. Synovial tissues from rats were collected, and qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were employed to investigate Ampk-related factors (Ampk, mTOR, ULK1), autophagy-related factors (Atg5, Atg7, LC3, p62), and inflammatory-related factors (NLRP3). ELISA assays were performed to measure inflammatory-related factor levels (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), and H&E staining was used to examine tissue histology. Results: Network analysis screened out a total of 94 metabolites in QHJR for AGA. HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS analysis identified 27 of these metabolites. Notably, five metabolites (Neochlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid, Berberine, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin) were not associated with any individual herbal component of QHJR in TCMSP database, while six metabolites (quercetin, luteolin, formononetin, naringenin, taxifolin, diosgenin) overlapped with the predicted results from the previous network analysis. Further network analysis highlighted key components, such as Caffeic acid, cis-resveratrol, Apigenin, and Isoliquiritigenin. Other studies have found that their treatment of AGA is achieved through reducing inflammation, consistent with this study, laying the foundation for the mechanism study of QHJR against AGA. PPI analysis identified TNF, IL-6, and IL-1β as hub genes. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that anti-inflammation was a key mechanism in AGA treatment. All methods demonstrated that inflammatory expression increased in the Model group but was reversed by QHJR. Additionally, autophagy-related expression increased following QHJR treatment. The study suggested that AMPKα and p-AMPKα1 proteins were insensitive to 3 MA and RAPA, implying that AMPK may not activate autophagy directly but through ULK1 and mTOR. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study confirms the effectiveness of QHJR, a modified formulation of SMS (a classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating gout), against AGA. QHJR, as a TCM formula, offers advantages such as minimal safety concerns and potential long-term use. The study suggests that the mechanism by which QHJR treats AGA may involve the activation of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway, thereby regulating autophagy levels, reducing inflammation, and alleviating AGA. These findings provide new therapeutic approaches and ideas for the clinical treatment of AGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazhuo Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jingrui Tan
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaxue Ye
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Weizhen Cui
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Hou
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Peiyu Liu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jianwei Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shiyuan Wang
- Institute of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qingyang Zhao
- Institute of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Tanshinone IIA Improves Acute Gouty Arthritis in Rats through Regulating Neutrophil Activation and the NLRP3 Inflammasome. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:5851412. [PMID: 36578443 PMCID: PMC9792249 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5851412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To investigate the prevention and treatment effect of tanshinone IIA (TIIA) on acute gouty arthritis (AGA) and its mechanism. Methods The anti-AGA effect of TIIA was observed in vivo and in vitro. Neutrophils were isolated from the abdominal cavity of mice, and the anti-AGA effect of TIIA was investigated in a rat model of MSU-induced AGA. The pathological changes of the ankle joint tissues were assessed by H&E. Cytokine and chemokine expression were determined by ELISA and RT-qPCR. The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway protein levels in the ankle joint tissues were evaluated via western blotting. Neutrophil migration was evaluated in air pouch and transwell assays. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis evaluate the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), and citrullination of histone H3 (CitH3). Beclin-1 and LC3B expressions were determined using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Key Findings. Treatment with TIIA alleviated synovial hyperplasia and neutrophil infiltration, regulated cytokine and chemokine expressions, and inhibited NLRP3 activation in AGA rats, neutrophil migration, MPO, NE, and CitH3 expression, and LC3B and Beclin-1 protein expression. Conclusions These results demonstrate that TIIA can effectively enhance AGA by focusing on the neutrophils and NLRP3 inflammasome, demonstrating that TIIA may act as a potential helpful agent for AGA.
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Identification of Interleukin-1-Beta Inhibitors in Gouty Arthritis Using an Integrated Approach Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Cell Experiments. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2322417. [PMID: 36193152 PMCID: PMC9526673 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2322417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of Tongfengding capsule (TFDC) in treating immune-inflammatory diseases of gouty arthritis (GA) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) inhibitors by using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments. Methods In this study, the compounds of TFDC and the potential inflammatory targets of GA were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and GeneCards databases. The TFDC-GA-potential targets interaction network was accomplished by the STRING database. The TFDC-active compound-potential target-GA network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to further explore the GA mechanism and therapeutic effects of TFDC. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to verify whether the TFDC inhibited IL-1β in GA. Molecular docking technology was used to analyze the optimal effective compounds from the TFDC for docking with IL-1β. Result 133 active compounds and 242 targets were screened from the TFDC, and 25 of the targets intersected with GA inflammatory targets, which were considered as potential therapeutic targets. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the TFDC active compounds such as quercetin, stigmasterol, betavulgarin, rutaecarpine, naringenin, dihydrochelerythrine, and dihydrosanguinarine had better correlation with GA inflammatory targets such as PTGS2, PTGS1, NOS2, SLC6A3, HTR3A, PPARG, MAPK14, RELA, MMP9, and MMP2. The immune-inflammatory signaling pathways of the active compounds for treating GA are IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc. The TFDC reduced IL-1β mRNA expression in GA by qPCR. Molecular docking results suggested that rutaecarpine was the most appropriate natural IL-1β inhibitor. Conclusion Our findings provide an essential role and bases for further immune-inflammatory studies on the molecular mechanisms of TFDC and IL-1β inhibitors development in GA.
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Identification of potential biomarkers of gout through competitive endogenous RNA network analysis. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 173:106180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Wang H, Xie L, Song X, Wang J, Li X, Lin Z, Su T, Liang B, Huang D. Purine-Induced IFN-γ Promotes Uric Acid Production by Upregulating Xanthine Oxidoreductase Expression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:773001. [PMID: 35154100 PMCID: PMC8829549 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.773001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Limiting purine intake, inhibiting xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and inhibiting urate reabsorption in proximal tubule by uricosuric drugs, to reduce serum uric acid (UA) levels, are recognized treatments for gout. However, the mechanism of increased how XOR expression and activity in hyperuricemia and gout remains unclear. This study aims to explore whether exogenous purines are responsible for increased XOR expression and activity. METHODS HepG2 and Bel-7402 human hepatoma cells were stimulated with exogenous purine, or were exposed to conditioned growth medium of purine-stimulated Jurkat cells, followed by measurement of XOR expression and UA production to determine the effect of lymphocyte-secreted cytokines on XOR expression in hepatocytes. The expression of STAT1, IRF1 and CBP and their binding on the XDH promoter were detected by western blotting and ChIP-qPCR. The level of DNA methylation was determined by bisulfite sequencing PCR. Blood samples from 117 hyperuricemia patients and 119 healthy individuals were collected to analyze the correlation between purine, UA and IFN-γ concentrations. RESULTS Excess of purine was metabolized to UA in hepatocyte metabolism by XOR that was induced by IFN-γ secreted in the conditioned growth medium of Jurkat cells in response to exogenous purine, but it did not directly induce XOR expression. IFN-γ upregulated XOR expression due to the enhanced binding of STAT1 to IRF1 to further recruit CBP to the XDH promoter. Clinical data showed positive correlation of serum IFN-γ with both purine and UA, and associated risk of hyperuricemia. CONCLUSION Purine not only acts as a metabolic substrate of XOR for UA production, but it induces inflammation through IFN-γ secretion that stimulates UA production through elevation of XOR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Lingzhu Xie
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xuhong Song
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Xinyan Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zhike Lin
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ting Su
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Bin Liang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Dongyang Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
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