Dandelion extract relaxes mouse airway smooth muscle by blocking VDLCC and NSCC channels

Identification of Hub Genes in the Pathogenesis of Bronchiolitis Obliterans via Bioinformatic Analysis and Experimental Verification

Background

Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a chronic disease that can arise as a complication of severe childhood pneumonia and can also impact the long-term survival of patients after lung transplantation. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying BO remains unclear. We aimed to identify BO-associated hub genes and their molecular mechanisms.

Methods

BO-associated transcriptome datasets (GSE52761, GSE137169, and GSE94557) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Additional bioinformatics analyses, such as Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analyses, were performed to determine functional roles and DEG-associated regulatory networks. Prediction of hub genes using the 12 algorithms available in the Cytohubba plugin of Cytoscape software was also performed. Verification was performed using the BO mouse model.

Results

Our results revealed 57 DEGs associated with BO, of which 18 were down-regulated and 39 were up-regulated. The Cytohubba plugin data further narrowed down the 57 DEGs into 9 prominent hub genes (CCR2, CD1D, GM2A, TFEC, MPEG1, CTSS, GPNMB, BIRC2, and CTSZ). Genes such as CCR2, TFEC, MPEG1, CTSS, and CTSZ were dysregulated in 2,3-butanedione-induced BO mice, whereas TFEC, CTSS, and CTSZ were dysregulated in nitric acid-induced BO mouse models.

Conclusion

Our study identified and validated four novel BO biomarkers, which may allow further investigation into the development of distinct BO diagnostic markers and novel therapeutic avenues.

Effects of dandelion root on rat heart function and oxidative status

This study aimed to examine the effects of dandelion root on rat heart function and oxidative status. At the beginning of the experimental protocol, Wistar albino rats were randomly classified into two groups (10 rats per group): 1. control group - animals that drank tap water; 2. experimental group - animals that drank dandelion root for four weeks. Every morning for four weeks, the animals received freshly boiled dandelion root in a volume of 250 ml. At the end of the dandelion administration, animals were sacrificed, and their hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a gradually increasing perfusion pressure between 40 - 120 cm H₂O. The following myocardial function parameters were measured: maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development (dp/dt max), minimum rate of left ventricular pressure development (dp/dt min), systolic left ventricular pressure (SLVP), diastolic left ventricular pressure (DLVP), heart rate (HR). In addition, the coronary flow (CF) was measured flowmetrically. Finally, blood samples were collected after sacrificing to determine oxidative stress biomarkers: nitrite (NO₂^-), superoxide anion radical (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), the index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The present pioneer results indicated that dandelion root did not manifest a negative impact on functional aspects of isolated rat heart. In addition, dandelion consumption was not associated with promising results in terms of maintaining systemic redox balance.

The potential for traditional Chinese therapy in treating sleep disorders caused by COVID-19 through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2019, it has spread rapidly across the globe. Sleep disorders caused by COVID-19 have become a major concern for COVID-19 patients and recovered patients. So far, there’s no effective therapy on this. Traditional Chinese therapy (TCT) has a great effect on sleep disorders, with rare side effects and no obvious withdrawal symptoms. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, a neuroregulatory pathway in the central nervous system that uses cholinergic neurons and neurotransmitters to suppress inflammatory responses, has been reported to be associated with sleep disorders and psychiatric symptoms. Many studies have shown that TCT activates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), inhibits inflammation, and relieves associated symptoms. Therefore, we believe that TCT may be a potential therapeutic strategy to alleviate sleep disorders induced by COVID-19 through CAP. In this review, we analyzed the relationship between cytokine storm induced by Coronavirus and sleep disorders, explained the influence of CAP on sleep disorders, discussed the TCT’s effect on CAP, and summarized the treatment effect of TCT on sleep disorders. Based on these practical researches and theoretical basis, we propose potential strategies to effectively improve the sleep disorders caused by COVID-19.