Atractylenolide III ameliorated reflux esophagitis via PI3K/AKT/NF-κB/iNOS pathway in rats

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the mechanism by which quercetin inhibits reflux esophagitis in rats

Quercetin relieved symptoms in rats with reflux esophagitis (RE), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Quercetin attenuated esophageal mucosal inflammation in RE rats by inhibiting the production of the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, through transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, we found that metabolites related to bile acid metabolism, such as taurine, taurocholic acid, and nicotinamide, were closely associated with RE in rats. Quercetin reduced the expression of bile acid-related genes such as Cd38, seizure related 6 homolog like 2 (Sez6l2), and nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2), which may be characteristic genes and therapeutic targets for RE.

Comparative Analysis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Animal Model Methods: A Data Mining of the Past Decade

PURPOSE

The differences in the animal model construction of different subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have not been clearly demonstrated at present. We aim to reveal the characteristics and differences between them.

METHODS

The literature related to GERD animal model construction in the past decade was searched and data on animal strains, modeling modes, modeling cycles, and detection indices were extracted, and the results were presented by using descriptive statistical methods of frequency and relative frequency.

RESULTS

88 papers finally met the criteria. Sprague-Dawley (68.25%) rats were most often used to induce reflux esophagitis (RE), whereas Swiss mice (50.00%) and C57BL/6 mice (57.89%) for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and Barrett's esophagus (BE), respectively. RE and NERD were most frequently constructed using fore-stomach-glandular transition ligation together with pyloric insufficiency (37.68%, 50.00%), yet their median modeling cycles were 14 and 7 days, respectively. BE was most frequently constructed using L2-IL-1β transgenic mice (27.27%), and the median modeling cycle over 270 days. Determining esophageal mucosal permeability was common in NERD, while finding intestinal chemotaxis markers, squamous epithelium, and columnar epithelium was common in BE. In animal models of RE, researchers tended to look for markers associated with the inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The induction methods vary among the animal models of GERD's three subtypes. Inflammatory stimulation is crucial for inducing RE and BE, differing in modeling cycle. In contrast, Visceral hypersensitivity draws more attention in NERD animal models, reflecting researchers' thoughts on distinct pathogenesis.

Exploring the mechanisms of Yang Wei Shu granule for the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology, and cell experimentation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a global disease of the digestive system and is an important precancerous lesion in the development of gastric cancer. Yang Wei Shu granule (YWSG), which evolved from the formula "Warm Stomach Soup" of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties in China, is frequently used as a classic herbal compound in the treatment of CAG. However, the active ingredients and mechanisms by which it works are not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elucidate the chemical composition of YWSG and investigate the potential mechanisms of YWSG on CAG by composition analysis, network pharmacology and cellular experimental studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical and blood-entry constituents of YWSG were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Subsequently, potential targets of YWSG for CAG treatment were identified through utilization of publicly available online resources. The YWSG-component-target-pathway network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed using Cytoscape software. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of potential targets was performed using the DAVID database. Finally, a cellular model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages was established and validated by in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

A total of 150 compounds in YWSG and 47 blood-entry constituents were identified by using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Based on network pharmacology, a total of 132 target genes were identified as being involved in the therapeutic effect of YWSG on CAG. Network pharmacology and molecular docking results suggest that AKT1, PIK3CA, PTPN11, SRC and STAT3 may be potential targets of YWSG for the treatment of CAG. Cellular experiments showed that the YWSG-containing serum had no cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells and could inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Additionally, it was observed to promote the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The immunofluorescence results showed that YWSG treated CAG by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology and cellular experiments provided elucidation to understand the components and mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of YWSG on CAG, providing useful directions for further research.

Britannilactone 1-O-acetate induced ubiquitination of NLRP3 inflammasome through TRIM31 as a protective mechanism against reflux esophagitis-induced esophageal injury

BACKGROUND

Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a disease in which inflammation of the esophageal mucosa owing to the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus results in cytokine damage. Britannilactone 1-O-acetate (Brt) has anti-inflammatory effects, significantly inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to a decrease in inflammatory factors including IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α. However, the mechanism underlying its protective effect against RE-induced esophageal injury remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the protective mechanism of TRIM31 against NLRP3 ubiquitination-induced RE both in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

A model of RE was established in vivo in rats by the method of "4.2 mm pyloric clamp + 2/3 fundoplication". In vitro, the mod was constructed by using HET-1A (esophageal epithelial cells) and exposing the cells to acid, bile salts, and acidic bile salts. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to screen the concentration of administered drugs, and the viability of HET-1A cells in each group. HE staining was used to assess the degree of pathological damage in esophageal tissues. Toluidine blue staining was used to detect whether the protective function of the esophageal epithelial barrier was damaged and restored. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α factors in serum. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression level of NLRP3 in esophageal tissues. The molecular docking and Co-immunoprecipitation assay (Co-IP assay) were used to detect the TRIM31 interacts with NLRP3. Western blotting detected the Claudin-4, Claudin-5, The G-protein-coupled receptor calcium-sensitive receptor (CaSR), NLRP3, TRIM31, ASC, C-Caspase1, and Caspase1 protein expression levels.

RESULTS

Brt could alleviate RE inflammatory responses by modulating serum levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α. It also activated the expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase 1, and C-Caspase-1 in HET-1A cells. Brt also attenuated TRIM31/NLRP3-induced pathological injury in rats with RE through a molecular mechanism consistent with the in vitro results.

CONCLUSIONS

Brt promotes the ubiquitination of NLRP3 through TRIM31 and attenuates esophageal epithelial damage induced by RE caused by acidic bile salt exposure. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanism of action of Brt in the treatment of RE and highlights its promising application in the prevention of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle-associated inflammatory pathological injury.

Xuanfu Daizhe Tang alleviates reflux esophagitis in rats by inhibiting the STAT1/TREM-1 pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the esophageal mucosa with a high prevalence and recurrence rate, for which a satisfactory therapeutic strategy is still lacking. Chinese medicine has its characteristics and advantages in treating RE, and the clinical application of Xuanfu Daizhe Tang (XDT) in treating RE has achieved sound therapeutic effects. However, there needs to be more research on its mechanism of action.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present work aimed to investigate the mechanism of XDT action in RE through the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1)/Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main active components of XDT were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS). The effect of XDT on RE was evaluated in a rat model of RE induced by "Cardioplasty + pyloric ligation + Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy". Each administration group was treated by gavage. The degree of damage to the esophageal mucosa was evaluated by visual observation, and the Potential of Hydrogen (PH) method and Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) staining were performed. Serum levels of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) were measured by ELISA. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR), Western Blot (WB), and Immunofluorescence (IF) methods were used to detect Claudin-4, Claudin-5, TREM-1, and p-STAT1 in esophageal tissues for studying the mechanism of action and signaling pathway of XDT. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was used to detect the expression of TREM-1 and CD68 in esophageal tissues. Flow Cytometry (FC) was used to detect the polarization of macrophages in the blood. After conducting preliminary experiments to verify our hypothesis, we performed molecular docking between the active component of XDT and STAT1 derived from rats and parallel experiments with STAT1 inhibitor. The selective increaser of STAT1 transcription (2-NP) group was used to validate the mechanism by which XDT acts.

RESULTS

XDT alleviated esophageal injury and attenuated histopathological changes in RE rats. XDT also inhibited the inflammatory response and decreased serum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS levels in RE rats. qPCR and WB results revealed that XDT inhibited the expression of Claudin-4, Claudin-5, TREM-1, and STAT1 in the esophageal mucosa of RE rats. IHC and FC results showed that XDT reduced TREM-1 levels in esophageal tissues and polarized macrophages toward M2. The molecular docking results showed that rat-derived STAT1 can strongly bind to Isochronogenic acid A in XDT. The parallel experimental results of STAT1 inhibitor showed that XDT has anti-inflammatory effects similar to STAT1 inhibitors. The 2-NP group confirmed that XDT exerts its therapeutic effect on reflux esophagitis through the STAT1/TREM-1 pathway, with STAT1 as the upstream protein.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that XDT may treat reflux esophagitis by modulating the STAT1/TREM-1 pathway.