The mechanism of Epimedium in the treatment of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro studies

OBJECTIVE

There are many challenges related to the treatment of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD). Studies have confirmed that Epimedium extract inhibits myocardial injury induced by myocardial ischaemia, but the mechanism of action remains unclear. This study aimed at analysed the effective components and mechanisms of Epimedium in treating CAD based on network pharmacology and molecular docking studies and to verify the mechanism in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The TCMSP and UniProt databases were used to filter for the active components and drug targets of Epimedium. The GeneCards database was used to screen disease targets associated with CAD. The intersection of the drug targets of Epimedium and the disease targets of coronary heart disease was studied to identify the targets of Epimedium in the treatment of CAD. Cytoscape software was used to establish and analyse an activity-target network. The STRING database was used to analyse a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and proteins in the PPI network were visualized in the R language. Bioconductor software was used for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses, and visualization analysis was performed in the R language. PyMOL software was used to verify the molecular docking between selected active components of Epimedium and the targets of CAD, and the potential key effective components of Epimedium in the treatment of coronary heart disease were identified. The involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway was validated by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

(1) Twenty-three active compounds, including Epimedium glycoside, quercetin, luteolin, and olive resin, were screened out. There were 68 common targets of Epimedium and CAD, including IL-6, ESR1, RELA, FOS, NCOA1, CCND1, EGFR, MAPK8, VEGFA, and CASP8. The potential signaling pathways involved in the treatment of CAD by Epimedium included the human cytomegalovirus infection pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. (2) Luteolin, quercetin, sitosterol, and anhydroicaritin showed strong binding to targets of CAD based on molecular docking studies. (3) Epimedium extract increased the expression of PI3K, Akt and P-Akt but decreased the expression of IL-6  in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Icariin, quercetin and luteolin may act on target proteins, including IL-6, ESR1, EGFR, MAPK8, VEGFA and CASP8, to participate in the regulation of the human cytomegalovirus infection pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway and other signaling pathways in order to effectively treat CAD. (2) In vitro studies confirmed that Epimedium extract can treat CAD by upregulating PI3K, Akt and P-Akt protein expression and downregulating IL-6 protein expression in SD rat cardiomyocytes.

Evaluation of cold tolerance of seven walnut varieties

BACKGROUND

Winter injury often threatens phenology and walnut survival in late spring and winter in northern areas of China.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at evaluating seven walnut varieties which have superior economic traits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mature functional leaves were observed by paraffin section and the related anatomical structure indices were measured. The stem segments were placed at six temperatures [4 (control), -10, -15, -20, -25, -30 degree C] for low temperature stress treatment, and the relevant indices were measured.

RESULTS

The thickness of palisade tissue (PT), sponge tissue (ST) and the PT/ST of Wen185 was significantly higher than in Longboxiang 2, Longboxiang 3 and Suizhuang. However, the leaf thickness (LT) of Longboxiang 3 was markedly lower than that of other varieties. With the decrease in temperature, relative electrolyte leakage (REL), proline (Pro) and soluble sugar content (SS) of all varieties increased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities showed a rise and fall trend. According to the LT50, the cold tolerance of seven walnut varieties was ranked from high to low, viz. Yuanlin > Wen185 > Xiangling > Suizhuang > Qingxiang > Longboxiang 2 > Longboxiang 3.

CONCLUSION

The variety Yuanlin can adapt to low temperature and should be widely promoted. doi.org/10.54680/fr22210110312.

Multi-omics profiling highlights lipid metabolism alterations in pigs fed low-dose antibiotics

Background

In order to study the relations of hepatocellular functions, weight gain and metabolic imbalance caused by low-dose antibiotics (LDA) via epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, 32 weaned piglets were employed as animal models and randomly allocated into two groups with diets supplemented with 0 or LDA (chlorotetracycline and virginiamycin).

Results

During the 4 weeks of the experiment, LDA showed a clear growth-promoting effect, which was exemplified by the significantly elevated body weight and average daily gain. Promoter methylome profiling using liquid hybridization capture-based bisulfite sequencing (LHC-BS) indicated that most of the 745 differential methylation regions (DMRs) were hypermethylated in the LDA group. Several DMRs were significantly enriched in genes related with fatty acids metabolic pathways, such as FABP1 and PCK1. In addition, 71 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by strand-specific transcriptome analysis of liver tissues, including ALOX15, CXCL10 and NNMT, which are three key DEGs that function in lipid metabolism and immunity and which had highly elevated expression in the LDA group. In accordance with these molecular changes, the lipidome analyses of serum by LC-MS identified 38 significantly differential lipids, most of which were downregulated in the LDA group.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that LDA could induce epigenetic and transcriptional changes of key genes and lead to enhanced efficiency of lipid metabolism in the liver.

Inter-correlated gut microbiota and SCFAs changes upon antibiotics exposure links with rapid body-mass gain in weaned piglet model

The risk of overweight or obesity in association with early exposure of antibiotics remains an important public issue for health-care of children. Low-dose antibiotics (LDA) have been widely used to enhance growth rate of pigs, providing a good animal model to study the underlying mechanism. In present study, 28 female piglets, weaned at 21 d, were randomly classified into two groups, receiving either a control diet or a diet supplemented with LDA for 4 weeks. The total bacterial load and intestinal microbiota were determined by qPCR and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS and RNA-seq were further used to determine the colonic SCFAs and transcriptomes. Results showed that LDA significantly increased growth rate and food intake. The F/B index, Methanosphaera species, and the pathway of "carbohydrate metabolism" were improved by LDA exposure, indicating the better carbohydrate degradation and energy utilization. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated the microbial community contributing to SCFAs production was enriched upon LDA exposure, associating with increased concentrations of short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids (caproate, 2-methyl butyrate and 4-methyl valerate). A multivariate linear fitting model analysis highlighted that caproate was positively correlated with two genera (Faecalibacterium and Allisonella) and four differentially expressed genes (ZNF134, TBX5, NEU4 and SEMA6D), which were all significantly increased upon LDA exposure. Collectively, our study indicates that the growth-promoting effect of LDA exposure in early life is associated with the shifts of colonic microbiota to increase utilization of carbohydrates and energy, enhanced SCFAs production and colonic functions.

Reversal of TREM-1 ectodomain shedding and improved bacterial clearance by intranasal metalloproteinase inhibitors

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is expressed on neutrophils and monocyte/macrophages and amplifies Toll-like receptor-mediated inflammation during infection. TREM-1 also exists in an antagonistic soluble form (sTREM-1) that has been used as a peripheral biomarker in sepsis, though the mechanisms of its release are not entirely clear. The requirement of TREM-1 in single microbial infections is controversial, with some studies showing a protective role and others a contribution to immunopathology. Furthermore, the role of membrane-bound and sTREM-1 in polygenic infections is currently unknown. In a mouse co-infection model where preceding viral infection greatly enhances bacteria co-infection, we now determine a mechanisms for the striking increase in sTREM-1 and the loss of TREM-1 on surface of neutrophils. We identified a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 cleavage site in TREM-1 and that the increase of MMP-9 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid mirrors sTREM-1 release. In vitro studies with neutrophils and MMP-9 and the reduction of sTREM-1 in vivo after MMP-9 inhibition verifies that this enzyme cleaves TREM-1. Intriguingly, MMP-9 inhibition significantly reduces bacterial load and ensuing immunopathology in a co-infection model. This highlights MMP-9 inhibition as a potential therapeutic via blocking cleavage of TREM-1.

Optimizing the compatibility of paired-herb in an ancient Chinese herbal decoction Kai-Xin-San in activating neurofilament expression in cultured PC12 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kai-Xin-San (KXS), a well-known traditional Chinese herbal decoction, has been widely used to treat mental depression and memory loss in China. It has a combination of four herbs: Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (GR; root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.), Polygalae Radix (PR; root of Polygala tenuifolia Wild.), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR; rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott), and Poria (PO; sclerotium of Poriacocos (Schw.) Wolf), from which a pairing of two herbs was considered as paired-herb, such as the pairing of GR-PR and ATR-PO. The depression-induced neural cell loss is one of the major pathogenesis in depression. Here, an optimized KXS by changing the ratio of paired-herbs in KXS was demonstrated aiming at promoting neural cell differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative assessment of chemical markers in each herbal extract was determined by LC-MS. Promoters of neurofilaments, NF68 and NF200, linked with luciferase reporter gene (pNF68-Luc and pNF200-Luc) were applied in cultured pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells to study the transcriptional activation of each herbal extract. The effect of GR-PR and ATR-PO in improving NF promoter activity was analyzed by Compusyn software. The activation of PKA was indicated.

RESULTS

In PC12 cells, an optimized KXS named KXS1:5 having 1:5 of GR-PR:ATR-PO had greater capability in promoting the expression of neurofilament. The synergistic effect of GR-PR and ATR-PO on the improved efficiency was further determined. Moreover, the treatment of H89, a PKA inhibitor, significantly inhibited the induced NF promoter activity.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated an optimized KXS by optimizing the compatibility of paired-herb and this compatibility was proven to exert synergistic effect. Moreover, the underlying mechanism was mediated by a PKA signaling pathway.

The volatile oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma induces endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in HUVEC cells

Nardostahyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a widely used medicinal herb. Historically, NRR is being used for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological diseases. To search for active ingredients of NRR, we investigated the vascular benefit of NRR volatile oil in (i) the vasodilation in rat aorta ring, and (ii) the release of nitric oxide (NO) and the phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). By measuring the fluorescence signal in cultures, application of NRR volatile oil resulted in a rapid activation of NO release as well as the phosphorylation of eNOS: both inductions were markedly reduced by L-NAME. In parallel, the phosphorylation level of Akt kinase was markedly increased by the oil treatment, which was partially attenuated by PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002. This inhibitor also blocked the NRR-induced NO production and eNOS phosphorylation. In HUVECs, application of NRR volatile oil elevated the intracellular Ca(2+) level, and BAPTA-AM, a Ca(2+) chelator, reduced the Ca(2+) surge: the blockage were also applied to NRR-induced eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. These findings suggested the volatile oil of NRR was the major ingredient in triggering the vascular dilatation, and which was mediated via the NO production.

The volatile oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma inhibits the oxidative stress-induced cell injury via reactive oxygen species scavenging and Akt activation in H9c2 cardiomyocyte

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Chinese, Uyghur and Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte loss is the major pathogenesis of heart disorders. Here, the total volatile oil of NRR was isolated, and its function in preventing the cell death of cardiomyocyte was demonstrated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cyto-protective effect of volatile oil of NRR against tBHP-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury was measured by MTT assay. A promoter-report construct (pARE-Luc) containing four repeats of antioxidant response element (ARE) was applied to study the transcriptional activation of ARE. The amounts of phase ΙΙ antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymer chain reaction (qPCR) upon the volatile oil treatment at 30 μg/mL for 24 h. The activation of Akt pathway was analyzed by western blot.

RESULTS

In cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes, application of NRR volatile oil exhibited strong potency in preventing tBHP-induced cell death and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the application of NRR volatile oil in cultures stimulated the gene expressions of self-defense antioxidant enzymes, which was mediated by the transcriptional activation of antioxidant response element (ARE). The induced genes were glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic and modulatory subunits. In addition, the volatile oil of NRR activated the phosphorylation of Akt in cultured H9c2 cells. The treatment of LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, significantly inhibited the volatile oil-mediated ARE transcriptional activity, as well as the cell protective effect of NRR oil.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that NRR volatile oil prevented the oxidative stress-induced cell death in H9c2 cells by (i) reducing intracellular ROS production, (ii) inducing antioxidant enzymes and (iii) activating Akt phosphorylation.

Isolated sacral metastases as the initial presentation from an endometroid ovarian carcinoma: a case report

Bone metastases are rarely in ovarian carcainoma. It usually occurrs only when the cancer is advanced or recurrent. A case of endometrioid carcinoma in right ovary with intact capsule is reported. The isolated sacral metastasis was found as the initial presentation, and no distant metastases were reported.

Severe burn injuries complicating psychogenic polydipsia

In rare cases, psychogenic polydipsia may develop as a post-burn complication, prevalently concerning females. Two such cases are reported, both in female patients. Their treatment and outcome are described.

Investigation of the effect of a disposal endotracheal catheter and metal catheter combination application in inhalation injury patients

Objective. The aim of this paper was to make an objective evaluation of the scientific nature and effectiveness of a combination application of two catheters by investigating and comparing the effects and the occurrence of complications using a single metal catheter application, a single disposal endotracheal catheter application, and a combination application of these two catheters separately in tracheotomy patients. Method. A study was carried out on 85 patients with a metal catheter from 1990 to 1997, 62 patients with a disposal endotracheal catheter from 1998 to 2002, and 56 patients with an on-vent disposal endotracheal catheter and an off-vent metal catheter from 2003 to November 2008, defined respectively as groups A, B, and C, in order to observe catheter balloon rupture and catheter olisthe during intubation, as also sputum adhesion to the endotracheal catheter wall after application, and to assess the number of cases of patients with airway bleeding, the number of patients with endotracheal catheter blockage, and the time lapse between ventilator withdrawal and extubation. Results. Patients in groups B and C were observed to have balloon rupture; the number of patients with catheter olisthe and airway bleeding was in both cases less than in group A (p < 0.05); and in groups A and C the number of patients with catheter blockage was in both cases less than in group B (p < 0.05) - extubation time was also shorter than in group B, but without statistical significance (p > 0.05). Macroscopic observation found that there was a large amount of sputum adhering to the lumen of the open disposal endotracheal catheter and that the lumen became significantly narrow, while the metal catheter became non-significantly narrow. Conclusion. In inhalation injury patients we found that the effect of the combination application of the disposal endotracheal catheter and the metal catheter was better than that of the single application.

[Modulating effects of thymopentin on the immune system of severely burned patients]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the modulating effects of thymopentin (TP-5) on the immune system of severely burned patients.

METHODS

Sixty patients with severe burn were enrolled in this study and were randomly divided into treatment (T, n = 30) and control (C, n = 30) groups. The T lymphocytes and NK cells in peripheral blood in two groups were determined on the 2, 5, 8, 15 and 22 postburn days (PBDs). The patients in T group were treated with TP-5 in a dose of 1 mg/d for 20 days beginning on 2 PBD.

RESULTS

There was no difference of T lymphocytes and NK cells between the two groups on 2 PBD, and there was no difference of total number in T lymphocytes between the two groups on 5, 8, 15 and 22 PBDs. But the NK cell number and CD4/CD8 ratio in C group were much lower than those in T group.

CONCLUSION

The function of T lymphocytes and NK cells in severely burned patients could be obviously improved by TP-5, which played immune modulating roles.

[Experimental circumferential tracheal replacement with rib and costal muscle ring in dog.]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the feasibility of using vascularized rib and costal muscle ring to repair large circumferential defect of thoracic trachea in dog.

METHODS

Eighteen adult mongrel dogs were used in this study. The third rib with adjacent intercostal muscles was engineered to a ring with vascular pedicle , which replaced five or eight rings of trachea.

RESULTS

Eleven of eighteen dogs were alive after operation , and the longest one had survived for 14 months. These dogs were active , although a slight stricture at the newly formed trachea was found. Microscopic examination showed the trachea had good blood supply , and the substitution of pleural epithelium by ciliated epithelium was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Circumferential tracheal replacement with vascularized rib and intercostal muscle ring is easily managed and has less complications. The results suggest that this technique might be clinically used in the future.

[Noxious stimulation-induced morphological changes of nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons in the tongue of rats]

OBJECTIVE

To explore noxious stimulation-induced morphological changes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive neurons in the tongue.

METHODS

The histochemical method of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-diaphorase activity was used.

RESULTS

NOS positive neuron bodies in the tongue were obviously enlarged, the staining intensity increased and nerve fibers became thicker after injury. At the body and tip of the tongue, near the body cells of NOS positive neurons deeply stained fine granular particles were seen, and structures of plum blossom form were seen along the route of the nerve fiber extending all the way to the terminal. NOS positive nerve fibers in the striated muscles and around the gland in the tongue root became thicker, and bead structures were seen in some of the fibers.

CONCLUSION

NOS positive neurons of the tongue, when noxiously stimulated, are inflicted with pathological changes, which suggest that nitric oxide might play a role in the transmission and control of the message related to pathological lesions.

[An extensive matrilineal nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness family and mtDNA 12SrRNA gene mutation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible cause and molecular genetic mechanism of matrilineal nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness, the authors analyzed an extensive matrilineal nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness family.

METHODS

PCR amplification of the nt1555 and nt7445 of the mitochondrial DNA, combined with PCR-SSCP, PCR-RFLP and sequence to analyze the family.

RESULTS

The authors found a homoplasmic A to G transition at position 1555(A1555G) of the mitochondrial 12SrRNA gene from all the patients, and four matrilineal relatives of this family, but the mutation was not found in the normal spouses of the family and controls (100 normal persons).

CONCLUSION

The A1555G mutation may be one of the major factors that cause deafness in this family.

[Effect of Astragalus Angelica Mixture on lipoprotein lipase and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase of nephrotic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of Astragalus Angelica Mixture (AAM) effect of regulating lipid metabolism disturbance in nephrotic rats.

METHODS

To examine the effects of AAM on serum albumin, lipid levels, and activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which are key enzymes for catabolism of lipid, in immune-induced nephrotic hyperlipidemia rats and exogenous hyperlipidemia rats.

RESULTS

Serum albumin was reduced, lipid increased significantly, LPL activity decreased significantly and the LCAT activity was relatively insufficient in nephrotic rats. Activities of LPL and LCAT increased significantly in AAM treated nephrotic rats. There were no change of activities of LPL and LCAT in exogenous hyperlipidemia rats and AAM showed no effect on the activities of these two enzymes.

CONCLUSION

The effect of AAM in regulating lipid metabolism might be due to enhancing the clearance of triglyceride and cholesterol-rich lipoprotein by improving the activities of LPL and LCAT.

The complete nucleotide sequence of prune dwarf ilarvirus RNA 3: implications for coat protein activation of genome replication in ilarviruses

The complete nucleotide sequence of prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV) RNA 3 has been determined from cloned viral cDNAs. The PDV RNA 3 is 2129 nucleotides and contains two large open reading frames (ORFs) separated by an intergenic region of 72 nucleotides. The 5' proximal ORF (ORF-1) is 882 nucleotides, encoding a gene product which shares homology with putative cell-to-cell movement proteins of related viruses, including tobacco streak virus (TSV) and alfalfa mosaic virus (AIMV). The downstream ORF (ORF-2) is 657 nucleotides and encodes a gene product which shares primary sequence homology and structural features with AIMV coat protein. Furthermore, when expressed in bacteria, this ORF produces a polypeptide which comigrates with authentic PDV coat protein and reacts with PDV coat protein antiserum. Hybridization data suggest that the genomic organization of PDV RNAs 3 and 4 is similar to that of TSV, the only other ilarvirus for which sequence information is published. The 3' untranslated region (UTR) of PDV RNA 3 is similar to that of TSV and AIMV, containing a potential stem-loop structure followed by the sequence AUGC, a structure which may signal binding of coat protein and activation of genome replication. However, a striking feature of the deduced PDV coat protein sequence is the absence of a "zinc-finger" motif thought to function in binding of the coat protein to the 3'-UTR in ilarviruses and AIMV. This result suggests that the zinc-finger motif is not a required aspect of coat protein activation of replication in ilarviruses.