A Metabonomics Approach to Drug Toxicology in Liver Disease and its Application in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Vitexin alleviates lipid metabolism disorders and hepatic injury in obese mice through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/SREBP-1c pathway

Obesity is recognized as a metabolic disorder, and its treatment and management pose ongoing challenges worldwide. Hawthorn, a traditional Chinese herb used to alleviate digestive issues and reduce blood lipid levels, has unclear mechanisms of action regarding its active components in the treatment of obesity. This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of vitexin, a major flavonoid compound found in hawthorn, in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 mice. The results demonstrated that vitexin significantly reduced body weight, liver weight, blood lipid levels, and inflammatory markers in obese mice, while also inhibiting hepatic lipid accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that vitexin likely suppresses adipogenesis by modulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, as evidenced by reduced expression of PI3K, phosphorylated AKT, phosphorylated mTOR, and SREBP-1c in the livers of vitexin-treated obese mice. Additionally, vitexin inhibited NFκB expression by regulating IκBα phosphorylation, thereby alleviating obesity-induced liver injury. These findings suggest that vitexin may be the primary active component in hawthorn responsible for reducing blood lipid levels, highlighting its potential in the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders.

The role of the microbiota and metabolites in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with UC-MSCs: Integrating fecal metabolomics and 16S rDNA analysis

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and irreversible interstitial lung disease characterized by a lack of effective therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have garnered significant interest in the realm of lung regeneration due to their abundant availability, ease of isolation, and capacity for expansion. The objective of our study was to investigate the potential therapeutic role of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) in the management of PF, with a focus on the alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites during the use of UC-MSCs for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS

Bleomycin injection was utilized to establish a mouse model of lung fibrosis, followed by the application of 16S rDNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS metabolomics to explore the underlying mechanism of UC-MSC treatment for lung fibrosis. Seventy-five mice were allocated into five groups, namely Control, Model, and low/medium/high dose of UC-MSCs groups, and survival metrics, lung morphology, and the levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β1 were subsequently evaluated. Fecal samples from six mice in each of the Control group, Model group, and UC-MSCs-M groups were collected randomly for 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze the gut microbiota and nontargeted metabolomics.

RESULTS

In comparison to IPF model mice, the three treatment groups exhibited increased survival rates, restored alveolar morphology, and reduced levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β1, confirming the anti-inflammatory properties of UC-MSCs in IPF treatment. The findings from the 16S rDNA assay indicate that UC-MSCs treatment effectively lower α-diversity induced such as Chao 1 and ACE, as well as β-diversity, leading to a decrease in microbiota abundance. The findings from the metabolomics analysis revealed that the metabolites exhibiting notable variances were primarily composed of Lipids and lipid-like molecules, Organoheterocyclic compounds, Organic acids and derivatives, and Benzenoids, indicating the potential of UC-MSCs to exert antifibrotic effects via these metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSION

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis symptoms in mice by exerting anti-inflammatory effects and mitigating pulmonary fibrosis through the modulation of gut microbiota disorders and their metabolism. These findings offer novel insights into the potential mechanisms and clinical utility of stem cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis.

Assessment of progression of pulmonary fibrosis based on metabonomics and analysis of intestinal microbiota

The main purpose of this study was to explore the changes of biomarkers in different developmental stages of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in rats via comprehensive pathophysiology, UPLC-QTOF/MS metabonomic technology, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of intestinal microbiota. The rats were randomly divided into normal control and 1-, 2- and 4-week model group. The rat model of PF was established by one-time intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The levels of inflammatory and fibrosis-related factors such as hydroxyproline (HYP), type III procollagen (COL-III), type IV collagen (COL-IV), hyaluronidase (HA), laminin (LN), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA) increased and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased as the PF cycle progressed. In the 1-, 2- and 4-week model group, 2, 19 and 18 potential metabolic biomarkers and 3, 16 and 12 potential microbial biomarkers were detected, respectively, which were significantly correlated. Glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway was observed to be an important pathway affecting PF at 1, 2 and 4 weeks; arginine and proline metabolism pathways significantly affected PF at 2 weeks. Linoleic acid metabolism pathway exhibited clear metabolic abnormalities at 2 and 4 weeks of PF, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathway significantly affected PF at 4 weeks.

Investigating the potential mechanism and therapeutic effects of SLXG for cholesterol gallstone treatment

BACKGROUND

Shugan Lidan Xiaoshi Granules (SLXG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation frequently employed to prevent and treat cholesterol gallstones. SLXG is formulated based on the Chaihu Shugan Formula found in an ancient Chinese medical book, a traditional remedy in China for centuries, and has demonstrated successful treatment of numerous patients with gallbladder stones.

PURPOSE

This research sought to clarify the therapeutic impact and molecular mechanisms of SLXG and its active components in the treatment of cholesterol gallbladder stones.

METHODS

The study employed network pharmacology, UPLC-HRMS transcriptome sequencing, animal model experiments, molecular docking, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) to explore the molecular mechanisms of SLXG and its relationship with Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) and potential targets. Furthermore, PPI network analysis, along with GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, were performed to explore the potential mechanisms through which SLXG and its active ingredient, naringenin, prevent and treat cholesterol gallstones. The mechanism of action was further elucidated using an animal model for gallbladder stone formation.

RESULTS

The study employed a network pharmacology and UPLC-HRMS to investigate the active compounds of SLXG for the treatment of cholesterol gallbladder stones, and subsequently constructed a network of therapeutic targets of SLXG. The results from gene enrichment analyses indicated that SLXG targets the metabolic pathway of bile secretion and the cholesterol metabolism pathway in addressing cholesterol gallbladder stones. The molecular docking results confirmed the interaction between the genes enriched in the pathways and the active ingredients in SLXG. Transcriptome sequencing results demonstrated that SLXG exerts its therapeutic effect on gallstones by regulating cholesterol and bile acid synthesis and metabolism. Furthermore, animal model experiments and SPR provided evidence that SLXG and its active ingredient, naringenin, exert therapeutic effects on cholesterol gallbladder stones by targeting the genes HMGCR, SOAT2, and UGT1A1, and influencing substances associated with cholesterol synthesis and metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Using systematic network pharmacology methods combined with in vivo validation experiments, we uncovered the fundamental pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of SLXG and its active ingredient, naringenin, in the treatment of cholesterol gallstones. This research underscores the valuable role that traditional remedies can play in addressing medical challenges and suggests a promising direction for further exploration of natural treatments for the disease.

Integrating metabolomics and bioinformatics to reveal the mechanism of Epimedium-induced liver injury

Epimedium is a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of clinical applications; however, there have been numerous reports of adverse reactions in recent years. The most common side effect of Epimedium is liver injury. In this study, the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method has been established to study the components of Epimedium and to identify the components absorbed into the blood of rats. Bioinformatics was used to screen out potential toxic components, and the integrating metabolomics method was used to explore the molecular mechanism of Epimedium-induced liver injury. The chemical constituents of Epimedium were identified by LC-MS, and 62 compounds were obtained, including 57 flavonoids, four organic acids and one alkaloid. The toxicity network of "Epimedium-component-target-liver injury" was constructed using bioinformatics research methods, and then the key hepatotoxic component icaritin was identified. Integrating metabolomics was used to investigate the changes in the metabolic profile of L-02 cells with different durations of icaritin administration compared with the control group, and 106 different metabolites were obtained. A total of 14 potential biomarkers significantly associated with cell survival were screened by Pearson correlation analysis combined with the L-02 cell survival rate. Our study preliminarily revealed the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by Epimedium.

Metabolomics analysis delineates the therapeutic effects of Yinlan Tiaozhi capsule on triton WR-1339 -induced hyperlipidemia in mice

Hyperlipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism resulting from abnormal blood lipid metabolism and is one of the most frequent metabolic diseases that endanger people's health. Yinlan Tiaozhi capsule (YL) is a formulated TCM widely used to treat hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to discover biomarkers utilizing untargeted metabolomics techniques, as well as to analyze the mechanisms underlying the changes in metabolic pathways linked to lipid-lowering, anti-inflammation, and regulation of angiogenesis in hyperlipidemia mice. To assess the efficacy of YL, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were measured. Biochemical examinations showed that YL significantly reduced the levels of TC, TG, LDL-c, Il6, Tnf-α, and Vegfa in hyperlipidemia mice (p < 0.01). YL also significantly increased the levels of HDL-c and Alb (p < 0.01). Twenty-seven potential serum biomarkers associated with hyperlipidemia were determined. These differential metabolites were related to the reduction of serum lipid levels in hyperlipidemia mice, probably through metabolic pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism. Further correlation analysis showed that the serum lipid reduction through YL was related to the metabolites (amino acid metabolites, phospholipids metabolites, and fatty acids metabolites). The present study reveals that YL has a profound effect on alleviating triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and angiogenesis and that the positive effects of YL were primarily associated with the correction of metabolic abnormalities and the maintenance of metabolite dynamic balance.

Characterization of chemical constituents and metabolites in vivo and in vitro after oral administration of Wuteng tablets in rats by UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS

Waste medicinal plants are widely used in drug production. With the increasing demand for botanical drugs, there is an urgent need to identify new and effective drugs and improve the utilization of medicinal plant resources. Wuteng tablets (WTP) are extracted from the stem of Schisandra chinensis and have a good therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's disease. In this study, a holistic identification strategy based on UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS was developed for the first time to investigate the metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in the in vitro metabolism and liver microsomal incubation and in the in vivo metabolic system of rats after WTP administration. After the oral administration of WTP, 21 metabolites were identified in the serum and 25 metabolites were identified in the urine, of which six were new metabolites; 33 metabolites were inferred from the microsomal metabolites in vitro. The metabolic pathways related to WTP mainly involve demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydroxylation and dehydrogenation. In this study, the metabolites and metabolic pathways of WTP were elucidated via UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS, which provided a basis for an in-depth study of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacotoxicological effects of WTP.

Azithromycin ameliorated cigarette smoke-induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction by activating Nrf2/GCL/GSH signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Airway epithelium is the first barrier against environmental insults, and epithelial barrier dysfunction caused by cigarette smoke (CS) is particularly relevant to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression. Our study was to determine whether Azithromycin (AZI) ameliorates CS-induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs), human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), Sprague Dawley rats and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-/- mice were pretreated with AZI and subsequently exposed to CS. Transepithelial electronic resistance (TEER), junction proteins as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis markers were examined to assess epithelial barrier dysfunction. Metabolomics study was applied to explore the underlying mechanism of AZI.

RESULTS

CS-induced TEER decline and intercellular junction destruction, accompanied with inflammatory response and cell apoptosis in PBECs were restored by AZI dose-dependently, which were also observed in CS-exposed rats. Mechanistically, GSH metabolism pathway was identified as the top differentially impacted pathway and AZI treatment upregulated the activities of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) and the contents of metabolites in GSH metabolic pathway. Furthermore, AZI apparently reversed CS-induced Nrf2 suppression, and similar effects on airway epithelial barrier dysfunction were also found for Nrf2 agonist tert-butylhydroquinone and vitamin C. Finally, deletion of Nrf2 in both HBECs and C57BL/6N mice aggravated CS-induced GSH metabolism imbalance to disrupt airway epithelial barrier and partially deprived the effects of AZI.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the clinical benefits of AZI for COPD management are related with the protection of CS-induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction via activating Nrf2/GCL/GSH pathway, providing potential therapeutic strategies for COPD.

L, E. E, Qi R, Mu X, Feng L, Ba G, Li Y, Zhang J, Bai L, Fu M. Metabolomics analysis reveals amelioration effects of yellowhorn tea extract on hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice

Yellowhorn tea (YT) is traditionally used as a lipid-lowering beverage in Mongolian minorities. However, the pharmacological effects of YT extract and its specific metabolic changes in hyperlipidemia models are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers using untargeted metabolomics techniques and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the changes in metabolic pathways associated with lipid lowering, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant in hyperlipidemic mice. A high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic mouse model was established. YT extract was administered as oral gavage at 0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 g/kg doses for 10 weeks. HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and the therapeutic effect of YT extract were evaluated based on histopathology and by assessing blood lipid levels. Liver inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indices were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Liver metabolites were evaluated using untargeted metabolomics. Biochemical and histological examinations showed that YT extract significantly reduced body-weight gain (p < 0.01) and fat deposition in tissues. YT extract significantly reduced the levels of serum and liver triglyceride and total cholesterol; inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α]; malondialdehyde; and leptin (p < 0.05) in hyperlipidemic mice. YT extract also significantly increased the levels of oxidative stress indicators (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and adiponectin. Metabolomics studies revealed several endogenous molecules were altered by the high-fat diet and recovery following intervention with YT extract. The metabolites that were significantly different in the liver after YT intake included citicoline, acetylcholine, pyridoxine, and NAD. Pathway analysis indicated that YT extract ameliorated HFD-induced hyperlipidemia in mice via three major metabolic pathways, namely, glycerophospholipid metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. This study demonstrates YT extract has profound effects on the alleviation of HFD-induced hyperlipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Integrated Metabonomic Study on the Relationship between Medicinal Properties and Efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix

Each Chinese medicine has its own properties and effects. However, the close connection between the medicinal properties and the effects of the medicine remains unclear. To export the scientific connection between the medicinal properties and efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix (RR), this study established a model and evaluated the therapeutic effects of RR on cold-heat syndrome to access the properties of RR, and then established a blood-heat syndrome model through the injection of rats with dry yeast combined with anhydrous ethanol. Related biochemical indicators (coagulation factors and central pyrogenic factor) were measured to assess the efficacy of RR. Finally, metabonomic technology was used to study the blood-cooling mechanism of RR from two aspects: medicinal properties and efficacy. The comprehensive results suggest that RR can significantly reduce the rectal temperature of blood-heat syndrome model rats and increase both the expression levels of coagulation factors (TNF-[Formula: see text], IL-1[Formula: see text], and IL-6) and the central pyrogenic factors (c-AMP, PGE-2). RR also cools the blood through regulating arginine, proline, phenylalanine, taurine, hypotaurine, sulfur, glycerophospholipid, primary bile acid metabolic pathways, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Therefore, RR plays the role of cooling blood by virtue of its cold property. The medicinal property of RR has a guiding effect on the clinical application. Moreover, the integrated metabolomic approach is a powerful tool for studying the properties and efficacy of Chinese medicine.

Postbiotics Prepared Using Lactobacillus paracasei CCFM1224 Prevent Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Liver Metabolism

Postbiotics are rich in a variety of bioactive components, which may have beneficial effects in inhibiting hepatic lipid accumulation. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of postbiotics (POST) prepared from Lactobacillus paracasei on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our results showed that when mice ingested a high-fat diet (HFD) and POST simultaneously, weight gain was slowed, epididymal white fat hypertrophy and insulin resistance were suppressed, serum biochemical indicators related to blood lipid metabolism were improved, and hepatic steatosis and liver inflammation decreased. Bacterial sequencing showed that POST modulated the gut microbiota in HFD mice, increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and reducing the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Ruminiclostridium and Bilophila. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between lipid metabolism parameters and gut microbes. Functional prediction results showed that the regulation of gut microbiota was associated with the improvement of metabolic status. The metabolomic analysis of the liver revealed that POST-regulated liver metabolic pathways, such as glycerophospholipid and ether lipid metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, some parts of amino acid metabolism, and other metabolic pathways. In addition, POST regulated the gene expression in hepatocytes at the mRNA level, thereby regulating lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that POST plays a protective role against NAFLD and may exert its efficacy by modulating the gut microbiota and liver metabolism, and these findings may be applied to related functional foods.

UPLC-Q/TOF-MS based plasma metabolomics study of hepatoprotective effect of Cuscutae semen on CCl4-induced liver injury model of rats

BACKGROUND

Hepatic disorders is a serious health problem threaten human. Cuscutae semen (CS) is a broadly used Chinese medicine as a tonic to nourish the liver and kidney.

OBJECTIVE

Our research aimed to assess the hepatoprotective effect of CS on CCl₄ -induced liver injury rats via plasma metabolomics.

METHODS

The liver injury rats were induced by 40% CCl₄ in olive oil twice a week for 21 days. The CS group received CS 2g/kg every day for 21 days. The liver tissues were used for histological studies. The serum was used for biochemical parameters analysis. Plasma metabolomic analysis were performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS).

RESULTS

Administration of CS could relieve hepatocyte necrosis, decrease levels of serum biochemical parameters in comparison with CCl₄ group. The principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) analyses on plasma metabolomes showed an obvious separation among the control, model and CS groups. The heatmap showed that CS-administered mice had the similar metabolite profiles as the control group. Seven influential pathways in plasma of hepatoprotective impacted by CS were identified.

CONCLUSION

This study verified the hepatoprotective effect of CS, and the related metabolic pathways were discussed.

A novel approach for authentication of shellac resin in the shellac-based edible coatings: Contain shellac or not in the fruit wax preservative coating

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A novel approach based on targeted metabolomics for the authentication of shellac resin in shellac-based coating solution was established for the first time.

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The authentication of shellac resin was skillfully transformed by means of taking monomer compounds constituting shellac resin (fatty acids and terpenic acids) as targeted metabolites.

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The feasibility of the authenticated approach of shellac resin in commercial coating solution products for fruit preservation was verified by taking common metabolites as the biomarkers.

As an edible coating substrate, the detection of shellac resin has always been an intractable problem. In this paper, an authentication method of shellac resin in shellac-based edible coatings was established. Results showed that the authentication of shellac resin could be skillfully transformed as the identification of 13 targeted metabolites which were monomer compounds of shellac resin. The 13 targeted metabolites were further divided into 6 differential metabolites and 7 common metabolites with the metabonomic method and difference analysis of targeted metabolite contents. Then, four commercial soi-disant shellac-based coating solutions were selected to verify the feasibility of this method, and 7 common metabolites were detected in only one commercial sample, highly consistent with the results of shellac resin. All the above results indicated that the targeted metabolomics approach established in this study could provide a scientific basis for the qualitative authentication of shellac resin in the preservation coating.

Er-Chen Decoction Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats through Remodeling Gut Microbiota and Regulating the Serum Metabolism

Many studies have found that the dysfunction in gut microbiota and the metabolic dysfunction can promote nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. Er-Chen decoction (EC) can be used in the treatment of NAFLD. However, the mechanism of this hepatoprotection is still unknown. In this study, we constructed a rat model with NAFLD fed with high-fat chow and administered EC treatment. The therapeutic effects of EC on NAFLD were evaluated by measuring transaminases, blood lipid levels, and pathological changes in the liver. In addition, we measured the effects of EC on liver inflammatory response and oxidative stress. The changes in gut microbiota after EC treatment were studied using 16S rRNA sequencing. Serum untargeted metabolomics analysis was also used to study the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of EC on NAFLD. The results showed that EC decreased the serum transaminases and lipid levels and improved the pathological changes in NAFLD rats. Furthermore, EC enhanced the activities of SOD and GSH-Px and decreased MDA level in the liver. EC treatment also decreased the gene and protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the liver and serum. The 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics indicated that EC treatment affected the gut microbiota and regulated serum metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the effects of EC on taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism pathways were associated with affecting in the abundance of Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Lachnospiraceae, Desulfovibri, Romboutsia, Akkermansia, Intestinimonas, and Candidatus_saccharimonas in the gut. In conclusion, our study confirmed the protective effect of EC on NAFLD. EC could treat NAFLD by inhibiting oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory responses, and improving the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the modulation of the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism pathways in serum.

Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking to unveil the potential mechanisms of San-Huang-Chai-Zhu formula treating cholestasis

Objective

Chinese medicine formulae possess the potential for cholestasis treatment. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of San-Huang-Chai-Zhu formula (SHCZF) against cholestasis.

Methods

The major chemical compounds of SHCZF were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The bioactive compounds and targets of SHCZF, and cholestasis-related targets were obtained from public databases. Intersected targets of SHCZF and cholestasis were visualized by Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction and compound-target networks were established by Cytoscape according to the STRING database. The biological functions and pathways of potential targets were characterized by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. The biological process-target-pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, the interactions between biological compounds and hub target proteins were validated via molecular docking.

Results

There 7 major chemical compounds in SHCZF. A total of 141 bioactive compounds and 83 potential targets were screened for SHCZF against cholestasis. The process of SHCZF against cholestasis was mainly involved in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. ALB, IL6, AKT1, TP53, TNF, MAPK3, APOE, IL1B, PPARG, and PPARA were the top 10 hub targets. Molecular docking showed that bioactive compounds of SHCZF had a good binding affinity with hub targets.

Conclusions

This study predicted that the mechanisms of SHCZF against cholestasis mainly involved in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Moreover, APOE, AKT1, and TP53 were the critical hub targets for bioactive compounds of SHCZF.

Changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome in a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension

The gut microbiota is widely considered to be involved in several diseases, including atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study aimed to determine if changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome play a major role in the early pathogenesis of PAH. Male Wistar rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT) (55 mg/kg) at day 1 and injected with calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) antagonist NPS2143 (4.5 mg/kg/d) from days 1 to 21. Fecal samples were obtained. The gut microbiota and metabolome were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and mass spectrometry-based analysis to investigate the effect of PAH in this rat model. MCT injection had a marked effect on the composition of the gut microbiota. This finding was further confirmed by metabolomic analysis with identification of several metabolites relevant to the gut microflora. However, NPS2143 partially abrogated this intestinal flora disorder and reversed fecal metabolite abnormalities. In conclusion, our study shows correlations between changes in the gut microbiome and the metabolome in PAH, which are affected by NPS2143.

Tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside attenuates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate data analysis

Tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside (TSG) is a main active compound in Polygonum multiflorum. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a well-known analgesic and antipyretic drug. It is considered to be safe within a therapeutic range, in case of acute intoxication hepatotoxicity occurs. This present study aims to observe TSG-provided alleviation on APAP-induced hepatoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. APAP performs extensive necrosis and dissolves nucleus suggesting liver damage from hepatic histopathology. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase analysis and liver histological evaluation showed that TSG reduced the hepatotoxicity induced by a toxic dose of APAP. Moreover, TSG alone had no hepatotoxicity. TSG eliminated hepatic glutathione depletion and cysteine adducts formation. It also reduced the expression of interleukin-10 and lowered the production of reactive oxygen species in liver tissues. Luminex was used to detect cytokine production in different groups. Herein, we used an untargeted metabolomics approach by performing ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry on treated mice to identify metabolic disruptions under APAP and TSG. Major alterations were observed for purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. These data provide metabolic evidence and biomarkers in the liver that the ABC transporters, Glycine serine and threonine metabolism, and Choline metabolism in cancer changed the most. These targets of metabolites have the potential to improve our understanding of homeostatic. Meanwhile, these metabolites revealed that TSG can alleviate inflammation caused by APAP and promote the activity of intrinsic antioxidants. In summary, TSG can regulate lipid metabolism, promote the production of antioxidant enzymes, and decrease the inflammatory response.

Evaluating the effects of temperature and time on heterocyclic aromatic amine profiles in roasted pork using combined UHPLC-MS/MS and multivariate analysis

In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) combined with principal component analysis (PCA) were used to investigate the effects of process conditions on the profiles of carcinogenic and mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) in the pork roasted at 175 °C, 200 °C, 225 °C and 250 °C for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 min. Twelve HAAs from four categories, including carboline (Norharman, Harman, and Phe-p-1), imidazopyridine (PhIP, 4'-OH-PhIP, DMIP, and 1,5,6-TMIP), imidazoquinoline (IQ, IQ [4,5-b], and MeIQ), and imidazoquinoxaline (MeIQx and 4,8-DiMeIQx), were detected, quantified and used to compose the HAA profiles in roasted pork. After being Analyzed by PCA, the distributions of HAA profiles from different temperature on the PCA score plot demonstrated that there are significant differences among the HAA profiles from different temperatures. The loading plot also showed that PhIP, 4'-OH-PhIP, IQ[4,5-b], and MeIQ were mainly responsible for the difference. The profiles from higher temperature distribute more scattered than the lower ones, illustrating that the time effects on the HAA profiles from higher temperature are stronger than the lower ones. Comparing the score and loading plots of different heating times, the diversities of the HAA profiles at different temperatures increased under prolonged heating because of the changingpyridines levels. The results of PCA that comparing the HAA from different categories displayed that the formation features of four categories HAAs were significantly differed because of their formation discrepancy under low temperatures and short-term roasting. Using HAA profiles as an entirety, these findings obtained in this study are more close to the real process of HAA formation in roasted pork, and make the complex effects of temperature and time on multiple HAA formations more simply to be concluded.

Da-Chai-Hu Decoction Ameliorates High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Through Remodeling the Gut Microbiota and Modulating the Serum Metabolism

The dysbiosis in gut microbiota could affect host metabolism and contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Da-Chai-Hu decoction (DCH) has demonstrated protective effects on NAFLD, however, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we established a NAFLD rat model using a high fat diet (HFD) and provided treatment with DCH. The changes in gut microbiota post DCH treatment were then investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing. Additionally, serum untargeted metabolomics were performed to examine the metabolic regulations of DCH on NAFLD. Our results showed that DCH treatment improved the dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (IR) and ameliorated pathological changes in NAFLD model rats. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics showed significant dysfunction in gut microbiota community and serum metabolites in NAFLD model rats. DCH treatment restored the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and improved the dysfunction in serum metabolism. Correlation analysis indicated that the modulatory effects of DCH on the arachidonic acid (AA), glycine/serine/threonine, and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways were related to alterations in the abundance of Romboutsia, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Lachnoclostridium and Enterobacteriaceae in the gut microflora. In conclusion, our study revealed the ameliorative effects of DCH on NAFLD and indicated that DCH's function on NAFLD may link to the improvement of the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the modulation of the AA, glycerophospholipid, and glycine/serine/threonine metabolic pathways.

Metabolomics analysis of the effects of quercetin on renal toxicity induced by cadmium exposure in rats

This study aims to explore the protective effects of quercetin against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity utilizing metabolomics methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, different dosages of quercetin (10 and 50 mg/kg·bw, respectively), CdCl2 (4.89 mg/kg·bw) and different dosages quercetin plus CdCl2 groups. After 12 weeks, the kidneys were collected for metabolomics analysis and histopathology examination. In total, 11 metabolites were confirmed, the intensities of which significantly changed (up-regulated or down-regulated) compared with the control group (p < 0.00067). These metabolites include xanthosine, uric acid (UA), guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA), hypoxanthine (Hyp), 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (tetranor 12-HETE), taurocholic acid (TCA), hydroxyphenylacetylglycine (HPAG), deoxyinosine (DI), ATP, formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) and arachidonic acid (AA). When high-dose quercetin and cadmium were given to rats concurrently, the intensities of above metabolites significantly restored (p < 0.0033 or p < 0.00067). The results showed quercetin attenuated Cd-induced nephrotoxicity by regulating the metabolism of lipids, amino acids, and purine, inhibiting oxidative stress, and protecting kidney functions.