Alterations in serotonin, transient receptor potential channels and protease-activated receptors in rats with irritable bowel syndrome attenuated by Shugan decoction

AIM:To determine the molecular mechanisms of Shugan decoction(SGD) in the regulation of colonic motility and visceral hyperalgesia(VHL) in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS:The chemical compounds contained in SGD were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.A rat model of IBS was induced by chronic water avoidance stress(WAS).The number of fecal pellets was counted after WAS and the pain pressure threshold was measured by colorectal distension.Morphological changes in colonic mucosa were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The contents of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αin colonic tissue and calcitonin-gene-related peptide(CGRP)in serum were measured by ELISA.The protein expression of serotonin[5-hydroxytryptamide(5-HT)],serotonin transporter(SERT),chromogranin A(Cg A)and CGRP incolon tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:SGD inhibited colonic motility dysfunction and VHL in rats with IBS.Blockers of transient receptor potential(TRP)vanilloid 1(TRPV1)(Ruthenium Red)and TRP ankyrin-1(TRPA1)(HC-030031)and activator of protease-activated receptor(PAR)4 increased the pain pressure threshold,whereas activators of PAR2and TRPV4 decreased the pain pressure threshold in rats with IBS.The effect of SGD on pain pressure threshold in these rats was abolished by activators of TRPV1(capsaicin),TRPV4(RN1747),TRPA1(Polygodial)and PAR2(AC55541).In addition,CGRP levels in serum and colonic tissue were both increased in these rats.TNF-αlevel in colonic tissue was also significantly upregulated.However,the levels of 5-HT,SERT and Cg A in colonic tissue were decreased.All these pathological changes in rats with IBS were attenuated by SGD.CONCLUSION:SGD alleviated VHL and attenuated colon motility in IBS,partly by regulating TRPV1,TRPV4,TRPA1,PAR2,5-HT,Cg A and SERT,and reducing CGRP and TNF-αlevel.

Different phenotypes of monocytes in patients with newonset mild acute pancreatitis

AIM To evaluate the numbers of different subsets of monocytes and their associations with the values of clinical measures in mild acute pancreatitis(MAP) patients.METHODS The study included one group of 13 healthy controls and another group of 24 patients with new-onset MAP. The numbers of different subsets of monocytes were examined in these two groups of subjects by flow cytometry. The concentrations of plasma interleukin(IL)-10 and IL-12 were determined by cytometric bead array. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE) II scores of individual patients were evaluated, and the levels of plasma C-reactive protein(CRP) as well as the activities of amylase and lipase were measured. RESULTS In comparison with that in the controls, significantly increased numbers of CD14+CD163-, CD14+CD163-MAC387+ M1 monocytes, but significantly reduced numbers of CD14+CD163+IL-10+ M2 monocytes were detected in the MAP patients(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher levels of plasma IL-10 and IL-12 were observed in the MAP patients(P < 0.01 for all). More importantly, the levels of plasma CRP were positively correlated with the numbers of CD14+CD163-(R = 0.5009, P = 0.0127) and CD14+CD163-MAC387+(R = 0.5079, P = 0.0113) M1 monocytes and CD14+CD163+CD115+ M2 monocytes(R = 0.4565, P = 0.0249) in the patients. The APACHE II scores correlated with the numbers of CD14+CD163+CD115+(R = 0.4581, P = 0.0244) monocytes and the levels of plasma IL-10(R = 0.4178, P = 0.0422) in the MAP patients. However, there was no significant association among other measures tested in this population. CONCLUSION Increased numbers of CD14+CD163- and CD14+ CD163-MAC387+ monocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of MAP, and increased numbers of CD14+CD163+CD115+ monocytes may be a biomarker for evaluating the severity of MAP.

Effect of Auricular Piont Pressing Combined with Thunder-Fire Moxibustion on Abdominal Distension and Constipation After Thoracic Compression Fracture

Objective:To explore the effect of auricular point pressing combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of abdominal distension and constipation after thoracic compression fracture.Methods:Totally 100 patients were randomly divided into 4 groups,the observation group 1(n=25)which were treated with conventional nursing combined with auricular piont pressing,observation group 2(n=25)treated with conventional nursing combined with thunder-fire moxibustion,observation group 3(n=25)treated with conventional nursing combined with auricular point pressing and thunder-fire moxibustion,and the control group(n=25)which adopted conventional nursing.First exhaust and defecation time after fracture in 4 groups were observed and compared.Results:The effect of observation group 3 was better than that of observation group 2,observation group 1 and control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:It is obvious that auricular point pressing combined with thunder-fire moxibustion has better result in treating abdominal distension and constipation after thoracic compression fracture.

Application of Stone Needle Therapy Based on Blood Stasis Theory in the Treatment of 36 Cases of Knee Osteoarthritis in Early and Middle Stage

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of stone needle therapy based on blood stasis theory for different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types of patients with knee osteoarthritis in early and middle stage.Methods:Totally 36 patients with knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in the orthopaedic ward between March 2016 and December 2017,and diagnosed as qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome,cold dampness and stasis syndrome,or phlegm and stasis syndrome according to TCM syndrome differentiation.After treatment,stone needle was used for ironing on the different meridian acupoints according to different syndrome.The efficacy of patients with the above three syndromes was respectively evaluated,and the visual analogue scale(VAS)score and western ontario and mcMaster universities arthritis Index(WOMAC)score of the three groups were calculated before treatment,2 weeks,and 4 weeks after treatment.Results:The effective rates of the three groups were 86.67%,81.82%,and 80.00%,respectively.After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment,the VAS and WOMAC scores of the three groups decreased significantly compared to treatment before(P<0.05).Conclusion:Stone needle therapy for ironing on the acupoints around the knee joint has a good therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis of different syndrome types,which is worthy of further application.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri

Diaphorina citri is a global citrus pest.As a vector insect,it can transmit the causative agents of citrus huanglongbing,causing irreversible losses to the citrus industry.The acquisition of genomic information can provide a molecular genetic basis for effective control of D.citri.Here,the DNBSEQ™,Oxford Nanopore Technologies,and Hi-C technologies are applied to generate a high-quality chromosome-level genome of D.citri.The genome size of D.citri was 523.78 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 47.05 Mb distributed on 13 chromosomes.A total of 250.64 Mb(47.85%)repeat sequences and 24048 protein-coding genes were predicted.Genome resequencing of female and male individuals indicated that the sex chromosome system of D.citri is XO.Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that D.citri and Pachypsylla venusta,which separated from their most recent common ancestor about 336.62 million years ago,were the most closely related.Additionally,we identified genes potentially involved in detoxification metabolism,pathogen transmission,and honeydew secretion for further investigation.The high-quality genome provides an important reference for developing effective management strategies of D.citri.