Mechanism of action of Linggui Zhugan Decoction in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using untargeted metabolomics approach

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a liver disorder characterized by the accumulation and degeneration of fat in the liver cells,a condition that may further deteriorate and lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Numerous studies showed that metabolic dysfunction can promote NAFLD development.Linggui Zhugan Decoction(LGZGD)has therapeutic effects on NAFLD.The mechanism of LGZGD still remains unclear.This study was to examine the impact of LGZGD on the metabolic processes involved in the development of NAFLD.Methods:A mice model of NAFLD was treated with LGZGD.The therapeutic potential of LGZGD was evaluated by assessing the activity of transaminases,lipids levels of blood,and pathological changes in the liver of the mice model of NAFLD.Additionally,this study also evaluated the influence of LGZGD on liver inflammation and oxidative stress.Results:The results of untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that LGZGD reduced the disordered lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice.LGZGD improved the oxidative stress and also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver.Untargeted metabolomics analysis of liver samples revealed that LGZGD treatment improved metabolic disorders,including alanine,aspartate,glutamate,glycerophospholipid metabolism,and citrate cycle.Further RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that LGZGD could regulate the expression of key enzymes in the metabolic pathway of the citrate cycle,including ATP-citrate lyase(ACLY),alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase-2(AGXT2),phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase(PEMT),and succinate dehydrogenase(SDH).Conclusion:We found that LGZGD can treat NAFLD by reducing inflammatory responses,inhibiting oxidative stress,regulating alanine,aspartate,glutamate,and glycerophospholipid metabolism,and citrate cycle pathways.

苓桂术甘汤对急性心肌梗死后心室重构模型大鼠NF-κB的影响

目的:观察苓桂术甘汤对急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)后心室重构模型大鼠心肌组织核因子-κB(nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB)及NF-κB mRNA表达,血清NF-κB含量的影响,探讨苓桂术甘汤干预AMI后心室重构(ventricular remodeling,VR)的作用机制。方法:采用冠状动脉结扎法复制心室重构大鼠模型,造模2周后将模型大鼠随机分为模型组,卡托普利4.4 mg.kg-1组,苓桂术甘汤(按生药量计)低、中、高剂量(2.1,4.2,8.4 g.kg-1)组,另设假手术组,分别ig给药,连续给药4周,采用Western blot,RT-PCR及ELISA技术检测各组大鼠心肌组织NF-κB,NF-κB mRNA表达,血清NF-κB含量。结果:假手术组,模型组,苓桂术甘汤低、中、高剂量组,卡托普利组的心肌组织NF-κB相对表达量(NF-κB/β-actin)分别为:0.190±0.011,0.772±0.026,0.366±0.059,0.295±0.033,0.235±0.013,0.341±0.023;NF-κB mRNA相对表达量分别为:1.000,26.875,6.574,4.340,1.194,5.540;血清NF-κB含量分别为(125.85±14.76),(196.98±17.79),(163.89±20.08),(131.73±10.47),(141.93±10.32),(133.93±9.27)ng.L-1。模型组与假手术组比心肌组织NF-κB,NF-κB mRNA表达、血清NF-κB含量均显著升高(P<0.01);苓桂术甘汤各剂量组及卡托普利组能够显著抑制模型大鼠心肌组织NF-κB,NF-κB mRNA表达、降低模型大鼠血清NF-κB含量,与模型组比有显著性差异(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论:苓桂术甘汤干预AMI后VR的机制与其抑制NF-κB有关。

基于Nrf2/BNIP3信号通路探讨苓桂术甘汤含药血清对心肌细胞线粒体氧化应激的影响

探讨苓桂术甘汤(Linggui Zhugan Decotion)含药血清通过调节核因子E_(2)相关因子2(Nrf2)/B淋巴细胞瘤-2/腺病毒E1B相互作用蛋白3(BNIP3)信号通路对心肌细胞线粒体氧化应激的影响。制备苓桂术甘汤含药血清与空白血清,构建体外H_(2)O_(2)诱导H9c2心肌细胞氧化应激模型,将H9c2细胞分为正常对照组、H_(2)O_(2)模型组、20%空白血清组、20%苓桂术甘汤含药血清组。H9c2细胞按照分组分别预处理12 h后,加入100μmol·L^(-1)H_(2)O_(2)继续培养6 h,DCFH-DA检测各组细胞内活性氧(ROS)的水平,calcein AM荧光探针检测线粒体通透性转换孔道(mPTP)的开放程度,Western blot法检测各组细胞中细胞质细胞色素C(CytC)、线粒体CytC、细胞质及细胞核中Nrf2的表达以及BNIP3的变化水平。siRNA-Nrf2转染制备Nrf2沉默的H9c2细胞,观察Nrf2沉默后苓桂术甘汤含药血清对H_(2)O_(2)刺激H9c2细胞后ROS、mPTP、细胞质CytC、线粒体CytC及BNIP3的表达。结果显示,与正常对照组相比,H_(2)O_(2)模型组ROS含量、mPTP开放程度显著增加(P<0.01),细胞核Nrf2、BNIP3、细胞质CytC表达显著升高(P<0.01),细胞质Nrf2无明显变化,线粒体CytC表达显著下降(P<0.01);苓桂术甘汤含药血清干预可以显著降低ROS含量(P<0.01),抑制mPTP开放程度(P<0.01),减少细胞质CytC的表达(P<0.01),升高线粒体CytC的表达(P<0.01),促进Nrf2核转位(P<0.05),降低BNIP3表达(P<0.01)。而Nrf2沉默后,苓桂术甘汤含药血清减少ROS产生、降低BNIP3表达及抑制mPTP开放与CytC释放的作用被逆转(P<0.01)。以上结果表明苓桂术甘汤含药血清可以通过调节Nrf2/BNIP3信号通路,减轻心肌细胞线粒体氧化应激损伤。