Liu-Jun-Zi decoction alleviates chemotherapy-induced anorexia by regulating gut microbiota and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway

Background:Liu-Jun-Zi decoction(LJZD),a classical nourishing formula in China,has been proven to be effective in treating chemotherapy-induced anorexia.In this study,the mechanism of LJZD in alleviating chemotherapy-induced anorexia was discussed from the aspects of regulating gut microbiota,repairing intestinal barrier injury and inhibiting inflammatory pathways.Methods:A rat model of chemotherapy-induced anorexia was established using cisplatin.The study evaluated the therapeutic effects of LJZD by observing the weight,food intake,and intestinal pathology of rats.The impact of LJZD on gut microbiota and metabolites,specifically short-chain fatty acids,was investigated through gut microbiota analysis and targeted metabolomics.The anti-inflammatory and intestinal protective effects of LJZD were assessed by examining the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins associated with the inflammatory pathway.Results:LJZD alleviated cisplatin-induced inflammation and intestinal barrier disruption,as evidenced by upregulated expression of tight junction protein 1(TJ-1)and occludin,along with reduced serum levels of interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and lipopolysaccharide.Additionally,LJZD alleviated microbiota imbalance and regulated the levels of short-chain fatty acids,especially increased the relative abundance of Coriobacteriales Incertae Sedis,Lactabacillus johnsonii F19785,Parasutterella,and reduced the Tyzzerella.In the hypothalamus,LJZD exerts suppressive effects on the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65 signaling pathway,leading to a downregulation in the transcriptional activity of IL-6 and IL-1β,as well as Interleukin 6 receptors(IL-6R)and Interleukin-1βreceptors(IL-1R1)mRNA expression levels.Conclusion:In summary,LJZD alleviate chemotherapy-induced anorexia by modulating the gut microbiota,repairing the intestinal mechanical barriers,and suppressing the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of liver: Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic correlation

AIM: To describe the imaging features of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to histopathologic results.METHODS: Spin-echo sequence(SE),fast spin-echo sequence(FSE) were detected in 12 children (7 males, 5 females) with mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL), aged 1.2 months to 12 years,( mean age, 6.3 years) by axial, saggital, coronary plain imaging with an Elscint 2.0T MR equipment. Their main symptoms were abdominal mass (5 cases), enlarged liver (8 cases), abdominal pain (1 case) and anemia (2 cases),and negative alpha-fetoprotein. Dynamic enhancement examination was added in 2 cases.RESULTS: Six cases had single mass type of MHL, in which 3 cases had solid masses showing slight low-signal-intensity in T1WI, and irregular high-signal-intensity in T2WI, 1 case had a cystic-solid mixed mass showing several border-clear cysts in a solid mass, 2 cases had cystic masses with multi-septa. Five cases had diffuse and multifocal lesions type of MHL with its signal intensity being similar to that of the solid mass. One case had a combined diffuse and single cystic mass. In the early dynamic enhancement examination, the lesions were slightly circum-enhanced, and the center was enhanced in the later scan images. Inner hepatic vessels were compressed in 5 cases, vena cava and abdominal aortae were compressed in 3 cases. Pathological findings included fiber hyperplasia, hyaline degeneration, biliary duct hyperplasia, lobule-like array.CONCLUSION: MR imaging is a better way to differentiate and diagnose MHL. MHL may be recognized by its characteristic occurrence in infancy and MR imaging features.

The role of miRi56 in rejuvenation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Rejuvenation refers to the process enabling plants to regain physlological and molecular characteristics lost after entering the adult phase. The underlying molecular mechanism is pooly under-stood. Previous studies have revealed that mi-CroRNA156 (miR156) is highly accumulated at juvenile stage and maintains juvenile traits by repressing a group of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factors. Here, we found that induction of miR156 expression in adult leaves can only restore some aspects of juvenile traits, such as loss of epidermal leaf hairs on the lower side of leaves and absence of serration at the leaf edges, but is incapable of delaying flowering and promoting adventitious root production.