Potential mechanism of Huatan Qushi decoction on improving phlegm-dampness constitution using microRNA array and RT-qPCR targeting on hsa-miR-1237e3p

Background:Metabolic diseases pose considerable burden on the healthcare system worldwide,indicating the significance of prevention and treatment.In constitution theory of traditional Chinese medicine,phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC)is the common basis of metabolic diseases.In clinical practice,Huatan Qushi(HTQS)decoction targeting on PDC can effectively improve metabolic indicators.However,its underlying biochemical mechanism still remains unclear.Methods:Eight PDC participants received HTQS decoction for three months.Their blood was collected at baseline and 1 and 3 months after intervention started.Related biomedical indicators were detected.High-throughput sequencing and RT-qPCR were used for validation.Due to the missing data,repeated measures with missing values in mixed models were used.Results:After 3-month treatment,HDL-C level increased(P<.001)and FBG,FINS,and HbA1c all showed decreasing trend at different time points(all P<.05).After miRNA high-throughput sequencing,compared with the baseline,differential miRNAs at 1 and 3 months were screened,and target gene prediction and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed.The results displayed that metabolic disease-related pathways mainly included pathways in cancer,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,etc.Further,RT-qPCR showed that hsa-miR-1237e3p differed statistically(P=.008).Then we validated the target genes of hsa-miR-1237e3p in the“Pathways in Cancer”pathway including SDF1,AC,CRK,and HGF,also known as upstream target genes of PI3K/AKT pathway.The results showed that two indicators of CRK and HGF were in statistical significance(P=.045 and P=.036,respectively).Conclusion:PDC serves as a common basis for various metabolic diseases.Through adjusting PDC,HTQS decoction can improve biomedical indicators including blood glucose,HbA1c,insulin,and HDL-C.The target pathway is“Pathways in cancer”.Specifically,HTQS decoction acts on targets of CRK and HGF by regulating hsa-miR-1237e3p,and probably exerts effects on their downstream PI3K/AKT pathway.

Gastrointestinal toxicity induced by microcystins

Microcystins(MCs) are produced by certain bloomforming cyanobacteria that can induce toxicity in various organs, including renal toxicity, reproductive toxicity, cardiotoxicity, and immunosuppressive effects. It has been a significant global environmental issue due to its harm to the aquatic environment and human health. Numerous investigators have demonstrated that MC exposure can induce a widespread epidemic of enterogastritis with symptoms similar to food poisoning in areas close to lakes. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have provided evidence of positive associations between MC exposure and gastrointestinal toxicity. The toxicity of MCs on the gastrointestinal tract is multidimensional. MCs can affect gastrointestinal barrier function and shift the structure of gut microbiota in different gut regions. Furthermore, MCs can inhibit the secretion of gastrointestinal digestive enzymes and the release of inflammatory cytokines, which affects the expression of immune-related genes in the intestine. The damage of the intestine is closely correlated to MC exposure because the intestine is the main site for the digestion and absorption of nutrients. The damage to the gastrointestinal tract due to MCs was summarized from different aspects, which can be used as a foundation for further exploration of molecular damage mechanisms.

A Novel Perspective on Histopathology Provides Novel Insights into Surgical Effects in Pulmonary Atresia,Ventricular Septal Defect,and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries:A Case-Series Study

Background:Never had literatures characterized the relationship between the property of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries(MAPCAs)and outcomes of selective unifocalization of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defects and MAPCAs.Methods:This is a case-series study.Thirteen patients were included.Angiographybased assessment was conducted to determine whether collateral arteries should be unifocalized or treated with intraoperative ligature.Specimens were collected and stained by HE and ET+VG.Results:Twelve patients underwent one-stage unifocalization at a median age of 37 months(range:6–228 months)and a median weight of 14.0 kg(range:5.0–49.0 kg),which produced a favorable right ventricle to aortic systolic pressure ratio of no more than 0.5 except in one patient who died.Patients were divided into three groups:Group 1(n=6),had no native pulmonary arteries,and collateral arteries supplied all pulmonary blood;Group 2(n=6)presented dysplastic native pulmonary arteries on one or both sides,and in some lung lobes or segments,blood was supplied only by collateral arteries;Group 3(n=1)had well-developed left and right pulmonary arteries,and collateral arteries,and pulmonary arteries provided blood flow to the same segments.Pathological reports demonstrated two types of collateral arteries:Elastic arteries presented an arborization distribution similar to native pulmonary artery walls,while muscular arteries showed high resistance and distortion.We selectively unifocalized single-supply collateral arteries with morphologic features based on the arborization distribution.Conclusions:We found that there were two kinds of MAPCAs with different histology,and we performed selective UF for MAPCAs that might belong to the elastic artery.Selective unifocalization achieved a low right ventricle to aortic systolic pressure ratio and favorable surgical effects.