Effects of Yue-Bi-Tang on water metabolism in severe acute pancreatitis rats with acute lung-kidney injury

Exploring the therapeutic mechanism of Yuebi decoction on nephrotic syndrome based on network pharmacology and experimental study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the material basis of YBD and its possible mechanisms against NS through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiment.

METHODS

Active ingredients and potential targets of YBD were obtained through TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction. NS-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, PharmGKB, and OMIM databases. The herb-ingredient-target network and PPI network were constructed by Cytoscape 3.9.1 and STRING database. GO and KEGG analyses were performed by DAVID database and ClueGO plugin. The connection between main active ingredients and core targets were revealed by molecular docking. To ascertain the effects and molecular mechanisms of YBD, a rat model was established by PAN.

RESULTS

We collected 124 active ingredients, 269 drug targets, and 2089 disease targets. 119 overlapping were screened for subsequent analysis. PPI showed that AKT1, STAT3, TRPC6, CASP3, JUN, PPP3CA, IL6, PTGS2, VEGFA, and NFATC3 were potential therapeutic targets of YBD against NS. Through GO and KEGG analyses, it showed the therapeutic effect of YBD on NS was closely involved in the regulation of pathways related to podocyte injury, including AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and MAPK signaling pathway. Five key bioactive ingredients of YBD had the good affinity with the core targets. the experiment confirmed the renoprotective effects of YBD through reducing podocyte injury. Furthermore, YBD could downregulate expressions of PPP3CA, STAT3, NFATC3, TRPC6, and AKT1 in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

YBD might be a potential drug in the treatment of NS, and the underlying mechanism is closely associated with the inhibition of podocyte injury.

Resveratrol Enhances Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Capacities in Chicken Primordial Germ Cells through m6A Methylation: A Preliminary Investigation

Avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) are essential in avian transgenic research, germplasm conservation, and disease resistance breeding. However, cultured PGCs are prone to fragmentation and apoptosis, regulated at transcriptional and translational levels, with N6-methyladenosine (m6A) being the most common mRNA modification. Resveratrol (RSV) is known for its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, but its effects on PGCs and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study shows that RSV supplementation in cultured PGCs improves cell morphology, significantly enhances total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01), reduces malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05), increases anti-apoptotic BCL2 expression, and decreases Caspase-9 expression (p < 0.05). Additionally, RSV upregulates the expression of m6A reader proteins YTHDF1 and YTHDF3 (p < 0.05). m6A methylation sequencing revealed changes in mRNA m6A levels after RSV treatment, identifying 6245 methylation sites, with 1223 unique to the control group and 798 unique to the RSV group. Combined analysis of m6A peaks and mRNA expression identified 65 mRNAs with significantly altered methylation and expression levels. Sixteen candidate genes were selected, and four were randomly chosen for RT-qPCR validation, showing results consistent with the transcriptome data. Notably, FAM129A and SFRP1 are closely related to apoptosis, indicating potential research value. Overall, our study reveals the protective effects and potential mechanisms of RSV on chicken PGCs, providing new insight into its use as a supplement in reproductive stem cell culture.

miRNA transcriptomics analysis shows miR-483-5p and miR-503-5p targeted miRNA in extracellular vesicles from severe acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury patients

AIM

This study sought to identify potential biomarkers and miRNA-mRNA networks within extracellular vesicles (EVs) for detecting severe acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury (SAPALI).

METHODS

Blood-derived EVs were isolated, and their miRNA transcriptomic profiles were comprehensively analyzed using miRBase v.21 database along with miRDeep2 tool to predict novel miRNAs. DEGseq R package was deployed for the identification of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were assembled using STRING and Cytoscape. A lung injury model was established using Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BEAS-2B cells, chosen for their respiratory epithelial origin and pertinent association with lung injury. The expression levels of targeted miRNA and associated proteins, TLR4, NF-κB mRNA were quantified via RT-PCR and Western Blot. Levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and ROS were measured using designated kits. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to examine the interaction between miRNA and proteins.

RESULTS

The comparisons between the SAPALI and the control group revealed 10 DEM, including miR-503-5p and miR-483-5p. The cytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape identified three principal miRNA-mRNA interactions: miR-483-5p with PTK2 and HDAC2; miR-28-5p with MAPK1, TP53BP1, SEMA3A; and miR-503-5p with PPP1CB, SEMA6D, EPHB2, UNC5B. The SAPALI model exhibited elevated miR-503-5p, HDAC2 and inflammatory markers, with a decline UNC5B, miR-483-5p and miR-28-5p. Transfection with miR-503-5p and miR-483-5p inhibitors increased the levels of their supposed binding proteins but not miR-28-5p inhibitor. The Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay identified the interaction of miR-503-5p with UNC5B, and miR-483-5p with HDAC2, but not miR-28-5p with TP53BP1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study maps miRNA-mRNA interactions in SAPALI, identifying miR-503-5p and miR-483-5p as critical regulatory miRNAs.

Yue-bi-tang attenuates adriamycin-induced nephropathy edema through decreasing renal microvascular permeability via inhibition of the Cav-1/ eNOS pathway

Edema is one of the most typical symptoms of nephrotic syndrome. Increased vascular permeability makes a significant contribution to the progression of edema. Yue-bi-tang (YBT) is a traditional formula with excellent clinical efficacy in the treatment of edema. This study investigated the effect of YBT on renal microvascular hyperpermeability-induced edema in nephrotic syndrome and its mechanism. In our study, the content of target chemical components of YBT was identified using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS analysis. A nephrotic syndrome model was replicated based on male Sprague-Dawley rats with Adriamycin (6.5 mg/kg) by tail vein injection. The rats were randomly divided into control, model, prednisone, and YBT (22.2 g/kg, 11.1 g/kg, and 6.6 g/kg) groups. After 14 d of treatment, the severity of renal microvascular permeability, edema, the degree of renal injury, and changes in the Cav-1/eNOS pathway were assessed. We found that YBT could regulate renal microvascular permeability, alleviate edema, and reduce renal function impairment. In the model group, the protein expression of Cav-1 was upregulated, whereas VE-cadherin was downregulated, accompanied by the suppression of p-eNOS expression and activation of the PI3K pathway. Meanwhile, an increased NO level in both serum and kidney tissues was observed, and the above situations were improved with YBT intervention. It thus indicates YBT exerts therapeutic effects on the edema of nephrotic syndrome, as it improves the hyperpermeability of renal microvasculature, and that YBT is engaged in the regulation of Cav-1/eNOS pathway-mediated endothelial function.

Role of tumor necrosis factor receptor‑associated factor 6 in pyroptosis during acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is hypothesized to be related to the activation of an inflammatory response induced by pyroptosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in pyroptosis in an AP rat model and the human pancreatic ductal epithelial HPDE6C7 cell line. In vivo, AP was induced by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein (CAE) in rats. The rats were sacrificed at 24 or 48 h after the final CAE injection. In vitro, HPDE6C7 cells were treated with CAE for 12, 24 and 48 h. Moreover, TRAF6 was overexpressed and treated with CAE for 48 h. Histopathological changes of pancreatic, serum and supernatant inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis-related mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by histopathological scores, ELISA, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. In addition, pyroptosis morphological changes were also determined by Hoechst/PI staining in HPDE6C7 cells. Results showed that AP was observed in the CAE-induced rat model, and that serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels, and TRAF6, NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1 and caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression levels were increased. Similar in HPDE6C7 cells, CAE treatment caused supernatant IL-1β level, NLRP3 and caspase-1 mRNA expression levels to significantly increase. After TRAF6 overexpression and CAE treatment, supernatant IL-1β level, caspase-1 protein expression level, and NLRP3 and caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression levels were also significantly increased. Furthermore, cells exhibited red fluorescence in Hoechst/PI staining, which can be used as a method of detecting pyroptosis activation. The results also showed that the red fluorescence was stronger after CAE treatment or TRAF6 overexpression plus CAE treatment. In conclusion, TRAF6 and caspase-1/3 signaling pathways were involved in the pathogenesis of CAE-induced AP in rats. Pyroptosis was activated by CAE and TRAF6 overexpression via the caspase-1/3 signaling pathways in HPDE6C7 cells.

Effect of Guo Qing Yi Tang combined with Western medicine cluster therapy on acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the effect of Guo Qing Yi Tang (GQYT) combined with Western medicine cluster therapy on acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS

A total of 138 AP patients were recruited and divided into the observation group (68 patients) and control group (70 patients). The control group was treated with cluster therapy alone, while the observation group was treated with trans-jejunum feeding of GQYT combined with cluster therapy. Blood samples were taken before the treatment and 24 h, 72 h, and 1 week after the treatment. The serum concentrations of Di amine oxidase(DAO), Endotoxin(ET), D-lactic acid, Intestinal trefoil factor(ITF), MFG-E8, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were determined by using spectrophotometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of urinary lactulose and mannitol (L/M) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the urinary L/M value was calculated.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the observation group had shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, significantly lower APACHE II score, and higher complete response rate (94.12%) after 1 week of treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the indicators related to intestinal mucosal barrier function (DAO, MFG-8, L/M) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) were significantly reduced in the observation group after 1 week of treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GQYT combined with cluster therapy for the treatment of AP has definite curative effect and rapid onset, reduces the level of inflammatory factors, and improves intestinal mucosal barrier function and APACHE II score. Thus, it has obvious clinical therapeutic advantages and can be used as a new therapeutic regimen for AP.