{
  "abstract": "Objective To investigate the effects of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules (QJZG) on renal injury in SLE mice, focusing on macrophage M1/M2 polarisation mediated by the AMPK/ULK1 signalling pathway.Methods Parameters of renal function and proteinuria were assessed. Pathological changes in the kidney were examined using H&E, periodic acid-Schiff and Masson’s trichrome staining. Serum inflammatory factor levels were quantified using ELISA. The expression levels of the glycolysis rate-limiting enzymes hexokinase 2 (HK2) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) were determined, and the transcriptional levels of AMPK/ULK1 pathway components were measured using quantitative PCR. The abundance of proteins associated with AMPK/ULK1 signalling was assessed via immunoblotting. Flow cytometry was used to quantify CD86+ M1 type and CD206+ M2 type macrophage populations. Dual immunofluorescence staining was employed to visualise F4/80+CD86+ and F4/80+CD206+ coexpression patterns.Results Compared with the Untreated group, mice in the PRED (prednisone acetate), QJZG and 2-Deoxy-D-glucose groups exhibited improved renal histopathology, reduced levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour RRO (24-hour urinary protein), ACR (Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio), TPCR (Urine Total Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio), tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, HK2, GLUT1, mTOR, CD86 and iNOS messenger RNA (mRNA), CD86 and iNOS proteins, M1 macrophages, M1/M2 macrophages and F4/80+CD86 expression (p<0.05). They also displayed increased expression of transforming growth factor-beta, IL-4, IL-10, C-C motif chemokine ligand 18, AMPK, ULK1, Atg13, CD206 and Arg-1 mRNA, AMPK, ULK1, CD206 and Arg-1 proteins, M2 macrophages and F4/80+CD206 (p<0.05).Conclusion QJZG effectively improved renal injury in SLE by reducing inflammation and modulating the AMPK/ULK1 signalling pathway to suppress M1 macrophage polarisation.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China"
      ],
      "name": "Ai Qian"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China"
      ],
      "name": "Kexin Hu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China"
      ],
      "name": "Yawen Zhu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China"
      ],
      "name": "Yuanyuan Cheng"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China"
      ],
      "name": "Ming Li"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China"
      ],
      "name": "Chuanbing Huang"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Amelioration of renal injury by Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules in lupus mice is correlated with AMPK/ULK1-dependent modulation of macrophage polarisation",
  "uid": "22f59871-33fa-5905-95e5-9dd27b144c49"
}