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Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) logoLink to Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences)
. 2026 Mar 20;57(2):482–490. [Article in Chinese] doi: 10.12182/20260360207

藏药经典名方索罗西汤颗粒通过Nrf2/HO-1及PI3K/AKT/mTOR双通路调节氧化应激缓解大鼠肺纤维化进程

Tibetan Medicine Classic Formula Srolo Bzhtang Granules Ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis via Dual Pathways of Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Regulating Oxidative Stress

Jinyang DU 1, BAIMALAZONG 2, DEJIBAIZHEN 2, BASANGDEJI 2, BIANBACIREN 2, Bengui YE 1,3,Δ
PMCID: PMC13095809  PMID: 42021886

Abstract

Objective

To investigate how Srolo Bzhtang (SBT), a classical Tibetan medicine formula, improves oxidative stress and ultimately alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in rats through the Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways.

Methods

Seventy-two SD rats were randomly assigned to 12 sham surgery groups (Sham group, receiving equal volumes of normal saline) and 60 model groups (established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin to induce pulmonary fibrosis). Twenty-four hours after modeling, the model groups were randomly divided into the model group (Model), the positive drug group (pirfenidone, 150 mg/kg), and low, medium, and high dose Soroxisol groups (SBT-L 0.5 g/kg, SBT-M 1.5 g/kg, SBT-H 4.5 g/kg), with 12 rats in each group. Each group received the drug by gavage once daily for 21 days.The Sham and Model groups received equal volumes of normal saline. HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of pulmonary fibrosis in each group. ELISA was used to measure the levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) in serum. The activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were also measured. The expression levels of Nrf2/HO-1 and proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in lung tissue were determined by Western blot.

Results

HE and Masson staining showed that pulmonary fibrosis was more severe in the Model group than in the Sham group, and each drug administration group could reverse this process to varying degrees. SBT inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-8 (all P < 0.05), and compared with the Model group, the levels of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased (all P < 0.05). Pathological section results showed that SBT improved lung tissue damage in pulmonary fibrosis rats to some extent. Compared with the Model group, MDA levels in the low-, medium-, and high-dose SBT groups decreased (all P < 0.05), and SOD enzyme activity showed an increasing trend. Western blot results indicated that, compared with the Model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose SBT groups activated the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 (all P < 0.05) and downregulated the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

SBT affects the Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, inhibits oxidative stress, and thereby delays the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Keywords: Tibetan Medicine Classic Formula, Srolo Bzhtang Granules, Pulmonary fibrosis, Oxidative stress, Mechanism pathway


特发性肺纤维化(idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF)是一种慢性进行性致死性间质性肺病,病因不明且预后极差[1],确诊后中位生存期仅2.5~3.5年[2-3]。目前临床依赖吡非尼酮、尼达尼布等药物延缓进展[4-7],但无法逆转纤维化,肺移植因供体稀缺难以推广[8]。近年研究聚焦 TGF-β/Wnt信号通路(transforming growth factor-β/Wnt signaling pathway)调控、NLRP3炎性小体活化及线粒体自噬等机制,免疫治疗、干细胞疗法等新兴策略崭露头角[9-16],但临床转化仍受限于单一靶点干预的局限性。

藏药作为传统天然药物,在肺部疾病治疗中展现独特优势。索罗西汤(Srolo Bzhtang, SBT)是收载于《四部医典》中的藏药处方[17],被国家中医药管理局、国家药品监督管理局列为古代经典名方。已有研究证实其多成分多靶点的抗纤维化潜力[18-20],但IPF相关藏药经典名方的作用机制尚未明确,且存在成分复杂、质量控制体系不完善、临床证据不足等瓶颈。本研究以藏药经典名方为核心,系统解析其关键作用靶点及调控通路,为IPF提供新型多靶点干预策略,兼具理论创新与临床转化价值。

1. 材料与方法

1.1. 实验动物

通过预实验进行样本量估算,将购自斯贝福(北京)生物技术有限公司(生产许可证:SCXK京2024-0001)的72只8周龄SPF级SD雄性大鼠饲养于SPF级动物房,环境温度20~25 ℃、湿度50%~70%,采用12 h昼夜交替照明,动物自由摄食饮水。本动物实验经医学伦理审查委员会批准(批准号:K2024036)。

1.2. 主要实验试剂与药物

实验用SBT由四川大学华西药学院叶本贵教授团队及西藏自治区藏医院(西藏自治区藏医药研究院)共同加工为颗粒剂(批号:SLXT051011),以岩白菜素为主要药效成分,索罗西汤颗粒剂中岩白菜素含量不低于2.1 mg/g。

硫酸博来霉素(BLM)、戊巴比妥钠、吡非尼酮(PFD)及吐温-80购于麦克林;羟脯氨酸测定试剂盒购于南京建成生物工程研究所;丙二醛测试盒及总超氧化物歧化酶活性检测试剂盒均购于武汉贝莱茵生物科技;IL-18、TNF-α、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9) ELISA试剂盒购于四川佰朋生物科技有限公司;增强型BCA蛋白浓度测定试剂盒、一抗稀释液均购于上海碧云天;双色预染蛋白Marker及PAGE凝胶快速制备试剂盒购于上海雅酶生物;羊源抗兔HRP结合IgG及羊源抗鼠HRP结合IgG均购于SAB;核因子E2相关因子2(nuclear factorerythroid-2-related actor 2, Nrf2)(AF0639)购于AffinitY;血红素氧合酶1(heme oxygenase-1, HO-1)(66743-1-Ig)及GAPDH(81640-5-RR)均购于Proteintech,α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(smooth muscle actin, α-SMA)(ab5694)购于Abcam;蛋白激酶B(protein kinase B, AKT)(ET1609-51)购于HUABIO; Collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1)(P28372-B2)、 phospho-protein kinase B(p-AKT)(PC0876S)、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases, PI3K)(T40115)、phospho-PI3K(p-PI3K)(T40116S)、雷帕霉素靶点(mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR)(S2481)及phospho-mTOR(p-mTOR)(S2481)均购于Abmart。

1.3. 主要实验仪器

Eclipse E100数码三目摄像显微镜购于日本Nikon,酶标仪K3 TOUCH购于美国Themo Fisher Scientific,电泳仪EPS 600及转膜仪VE-586均购于上海天能科技有限公司,智能图像工作站GelView 6000Plus购于广州博鹭腾生物科技有限公司。

1.4. 造模、分组及给药

将72只SD大鼠随机分为12只假手术组(Sham),和60只造模组,适应性喂养5 d后造模。造模前禁食不禁水,45 mg/kg戊巴比妥钠腹腔麻醉,头高脚低仰卧固定,颈部消毒备皮后分离气管,造模组滴注5 mg/kg BLM,Sham组滴注等量生理盐水,滴后轻柔摇晃大鼠,缝合皮肤并消毒。

造模24 h后,造模组随机分为模型组(Model)、阳性药组(PFD,150 mg/kg)及索罗西汤低、中、高剂量组(SBT-L 0.5 g/kg、SBT-M 1.5 g/kg、SBT-H 4.5 g/kg),每组12只。SBT参考临床人用剂量、药材-颗粒比例及体表面积折算,以1.5 g/kg为中剂量,上下3倍设高低剂量;PFD按体表面积转换自小鼠剂量300 mg/kg[20]。各组每日1次灌胃给药共21 d,Sham组与Model组灌胃等量生理盐水。

1.5. 样本采集及处理

21 d灌胃实验期间,观察大鼠一般状态并每3 d检测体质量。实验第21天灌胃给药并记录体质量后进行取材,取材前禁食不禁水,腹腔注射45 mg/kg戊巴比妥钠(1%)麻醉,采用真空采血管心耳处取血,室温静置后,4 ℃,3500 r/min离心10 min,取上清冻存于-80 ℃冰箱。

失血法处死大鼠后,剖取肺脏,于生理盐水中剥离脂肪及气管,清洗后拍照记录肺部情况。滤纸吸取浮水后称量肺脏质量及各脏器质量并记录,依据脏器质量与大鼠体质量的比值计算肺系数。分离单叶左肺固定于质量分数4%多聚甲醛中,留做病理切片。于液氮上分取肺组织剩余部分,冻存于-80 ℃超低温冰箱留做后续实验。

1.6. 大鼠肺脏组织病理学观察

本研究根据病理切片染色结果评估各组大鼠肺部纤维化程度及组织结构变化。常规HE染色和Masson染色,于显微镜下观察肺组织形态学变化。

1.7. 氧化指标测定

丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)及超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)活力测定均根据检测试剂盒说明书操作进行。

1.8. ELISA检测炎症因子及基质金属蛋白酶水平

分别取各组血清3份,每份样本重复测定,按试剂盒说明书检测促炎症因子TNF-α(pg/mL)及IL-18(pg/mL)的表达,以及基质金属蛋白酶MMP-2(ng/mL)和MMP-9(ng/mL)的水平。

1.9. 羟脯氨酸含量测定

羟脯氨酸(hydroxyproline, HYP)在胶原蛋白中占比13.4%,在弹性蛋白中占比极少,其他蛋白中均不存在,因此本研究通过测定肺组织中HYP含量间接测定肺组织间质中沉积的胶原蛋白含量,进而评价肺纤维化程度。脯氨酸含量(μg/mg)测定根据试剂盒说明书进行操作。

1.10. 蛋白质印迹分析

以GAPDH为内参蛋白,常规Western blot检测肺组织α-SMA、COL1A1、Nrf2、HO-1、p-AKT、AKT、p-PI3K、PI3K、p-mTOR、mTOR的蛋白表达,稀释比例均为1∶1000,浓度为0.5 μg/mL。ImageJ软件检测灰度值,以对照组目的蛋白与内参蛋白条带的灰度值比值为1,对其他组相对对照组的蛋白表达水平进行定量分析。

1.11. 统计学方法

采用Graphpad Prism 9.0进行统计分析。Shapiro-Wilk检验对数据进行正态性检验,采用Brown-Forsythe检验方差齐性。服从正态分布且方差齐的数据,采用ANOVA检验进行多组独立样本组间分析;服从正态分布但方差不齐的数据,采用Mann Whitney U检验及Welch ANOVA检验;不服从正态分布的数据,采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验。确定不同组别对大鼠各指标是否有影响,进一步采用Dunnet't及Bonferroni校正进行多组间的两两比较。采用对数秩检验进行生存曲线比较。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。

2. 结果

2.1. SBT对肺纤维化大鼠生理状况的影响

图1。21 d灌胃期间,Sham组全程无死亡,精神活泼,进食量、饮水量稳定,体质量稳步增长且手术前后无显著差异。其余各组建模第一周均出现进食饮水减少、腹式呼吸、精神不振、毛发粗糙脱落及大鼠死亡;第二周无死亡,上述指标逐渐回升,SBT-H组精神状态最优,Model组最差,PFD组与SBT-L组无明显差异;第三周除Model组仍萎靡外,其余各组状态持续改善,SBT-H组改善最显著。体质量方面,建模第一周除Sham组外各组均下降,第二周除Model组外开始回升,第三周Model组体质量趋于稳定,其余各组明显回升。

图 1.

图 1

The effect of SBT on the physiological status of rats with pulmonary fibrosis and the rat lung viscera coefficient

SBT对肺纤维化大鼠生理状况的影响及各组别大鼠肺脏器系数

BLM: bleomycin sulfate‌; PFD: pirfenidone. A, Survival rate; B, body mass change trend; C, organ coefficient of lungs. ### P < 0.001, vs. the Sham group; * P < 0.05, *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group. n = 5.

2.2. SBT改善肺纤维化大鼠肺脏状况

图1。第21天,Model组肺系数较Sham组上升(P<0.001),证明模型建立成功。给药后,各组别大鼠的肺系数均存在不同程度的下降,其中SBT-H组的肺系数下降趋势最明显,与Model组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。

2.3. SBT对肺纤维化大鼠组织病理学影响

HE染色结果显示(图2A),Sham组肺泡结构完整、形态正常,肺间质无炎细胞浸润及渗出;Model组出现肺泡隔增宽(蓝色箭头示),肺泡萎缩(红色箭头示),周围肺泡相互融合扩张(黑色箭头示),纤维化(黄色箭头示)及炎细胞浸润(绿色箭头示)等典型病变;PFD组与SBT-L组肺泡形态有所改善,但仍存在局部结构异常(蓝色箭头示)及轻度炎细胞浸润(绿色箭头示);SBT-M组、SBT-H组肺泡结构破坏较轻,正常形态占比为各给药组最优,仅见小面积肺泡间隔变形及轻度炎细胞浸润(绿色箭头示)。图2B、2C显示,Model组肺泡隔厚度及炎症细胞数目较Sham组升高(P<0.0001),建模成功。各给药组相关指标均较Model组下降:与Model组相比,SBT-L组差异有统计学意义(P<0.01、P<0.001),SBT-M组、SBT-H组下降更显著(P<0.001、P<0.0001)。

图 2.

图 2

The histopathological effect of SBT on rats with pulmonary fibrosis

SBT对肺纤维化大鼠组织病理学影响

BLM: bleomycin sulfate; PFD: pirfenidone. A, HE stained lung tissue sections; B, thickness of the pulmonary septum; C, count of inflammatory cells; D, expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein in lung tissues. #### P < 0.0001, vs. the Sham group; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group; △△ P < 0.01, vs. the PFD group. n = 3.

与Sham组相比,Model组α-SMA表达上升(P<0.0001),其余各给药组均抑制α-SMA表达(P<0.0001),SBT-H组抑制效果优于PFD阳性对照组(P<0.01)(图2D)。

2.4. SBT对肺纤维化大鼠氧化应激标志物的影响

在各组MDA及SOD分析结果中(表1),与Sham组相比,Model组大鼠血清中MDA的水平升高(P<0.0001),且SOD酶活性被抑制(P<0.0001);与Model组相比,各组MDA水平均下降(P<0.01,P<0.001,P<0.0001),SOD酶活力水平升高(P<0.001,P<0.0001)。提示SBT可能通过降低MDA的水平,增强SOD酶活性,抑制肺纤维化大鼠的脂质过氧化反应。

表 1. The activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were measured as markers of oxidative stress.

各组大鼠氧化应激标志物MDA和SOD测定结果

Oxidative stress markers Sham Model PFD SBT-L SBT-M SBT-H
 PFD: pirfenidone. #### P < 0.0001, vs. the Sham group; ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group. n = 3.
MDA/(mmol/mL) 59.38 ± 7.92 115.46 ± 10.2#### 83.18 ± 3.78*** 89.61 ± 3.85** 78.96 ± 5.39**** 65.11 ± 6.06****
SOD/U 2.22 ± 0.21 0.38 ± 0.05#### 1.21 ± 0.13**** 1.14 ± 0.22*** 1.24 ± 0.10**** 1.65 ± 0.08****

2.5. SBT对肺纤维化大鼠炎症表达的影响

对第21天各组大鼠肺组织HE染色切片进行炎症评分(表2),与Sham组相比,Model组炎症评分增高(P<0.001),提示建模后肺组织中炎症反应明显增强,经过给药后,各组切片炎症均出现不同程度的下降,而以SBT-M组和SBT-H组评分降低显著(与Model组相比,P<0.05或 P<0.01)。

表 2. The effect of SBT on inflammatory expression, collagen deposition, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in rats with pulmonary fibrosis.

SBT对肺纤维化大鼠炎症表达、胶原沉积状态、MMP的影响

Index Sham Model PFD SBT-L SBT-M SBT-H
 IL: interleukin; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor alpha; PFD: pirfenidone. ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001, #### P < 0.0001, vs. the Sham group; * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group. n = 5.
Inflammation score 1.00 ± 0.71 3.60 ± 0.55### 2.60 ± 0.55 2.00 ± 0.71 1.60 ± 0.55* 1.40 ± 0.55**
IL-18/(pg/mL) 67.40 ± 3.68 154.98 ± 11.09## 89.51 ± 9.11 113.55 ± 5.34 87.49 ± 2.29 75.39 ± 7.16*
TNF-α/(pg/mL) 175.69 ± 8.99 256.36 ± 10.83#### 173.99 ± 8.43**** 237.32 ± 3.71 214.71 ± 7.43*** 169.00 ± 7.64****
Collagen volume fraction/% 6.15 ± 0.21 16.77 ± 0.96#### 12.03 ± 1.23**** 10.21 ± 0.32**** 8.85 ± 0.42**** 7.11 ± 1.19****
Hydroxyproline/(μg/mg) 1.00 ± 0.08 1.57 ± 0.01## 1.46 ± 0.05 1.37 ± 0.08 1.18 ± 0.02 1.05 ± 0.08*
MMP-2/(ng/mL) 135.02 ± 20.12 310.33 ± 9.06#### 138.88 ± 22.67**** 163.88 ± 4.89**** 150.31 ± 4.18**** 131.47 ± 2.32****
MMP-9/(ng/mL) 34.50 ± 3.43 89.87 ± 3.42#### 55.91 ± 6.50**** 72.95 ± 4.48** 57.91 ± 2.28**** 49.88 ± 4.09****

进一步通过ELISA测定各组大鼠血清中炎症因子IL-18及TNF-α水平(表2)。与Sham组相比,Model组大鼠血清中TNF-α及IL-18水平均增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01, P<0.0001),各SBT给药组均能够降低子TNF-α及IL-18水平,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05),其中SBT-H组与Sham组最为接近。

2.6. SBT对肺纤维化大鼠胶原沉积状态影响

Masson染色切片示(图3A),Sham组蓝色胶原纤维主要分布于气管与肺泡壁,且蓝色面积占比小;Model组在肺组织实变区,肺泡壁增厚、纤维细胞增生及肺泡闭塞部位可见大量蓝色胶原沉积;PFD组胶原沉积面积相较Model组出现下降,主要出现在肺泡壁增厚及部分炎症浸润区域;SBT-L、SBT-M与SBT-H组胶原纤维沉积面积相较Model组均出现下降,其中SBT-H组胶原沉积面积占比小于PFD组,与Sham组最为接近。

图 3.

图 3

The effect of SBT on collagen deposition in rats with pulmonary fibrosis

SBT对肺纤维化大鼠胶原沉积状态影响

BLM: bleomycin sulfate; PFD: pirfenidone. A, Masson's pathological section analysis; B, protein expression of Collagen-Ⅰ in rat lung tissue. #### P < 0.0001, vs. the Sham group; **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group; P< 0.05. n = 3.

采用胶原纤维沉积面积占比量化分析对肺组织胶原沉积进行初步评估(表2),评分结果提示手术建模后Model组胶原沉积出现上升(P<0.0001),给药各组切片评分均出现不同程度下降,SBT-L、SBT-M、SBT-H各组与Model组相比均出现下降(P<0.0001),并且SBT-H组胶原纤维沉积面积占比量化结果明显优于PFD组。

表2。手术建模后Model组的肺组织中的胶原沉积上升(P<0.01),给药后各组别均出现不同程度的下降,其中SBT-H组HYP含量与Model组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。组织中Collagen-Ⅰ的表达,鼠血清中基质金属蛋白酶MMP-2、MMP-9的水平,趋势与HYP一致(图3B)。

2.7. SBT通过Nrf2/HO-1及PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路影响大鼠肺纤维化进程

与Sham相比,Model组大鼠肺组织中Nrf2、HO-1的表达水平均下降(P<0.0001)。见图4。与Model组相比,PFD组及SBT-L组呈现Nrf2蛋白激活趋势,但与Model组差异不大,SBT-M组及SBT-H组Nrf2表达水平升高(P<0.001),此外,与PFD组相比,SBT-H组能够更好得激活Nrf2的表达(P<0.01)。与Model组相比,各给药组均能够激活HO-1蛋白表达(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.0001),此外,SBT-H组HO-1蛋白表达效果更好,几乎与Sham组无甚差异(P>0.05),且比PFD组效果明显(P<0.05)。这一结果提示SBT可能通过促进Nrf2/HO-1信号通路抑制脂质过氧化,对肺纤维化大鼠产生保护作用。

图 4.

图 4

Protein expression level of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in rat lung tissue

大鼠肺组织Nrf2/HO-1通路蛋白表达水平

BLM: bleomycin sulfate; PFD: pirfenidone; Nrf2: nuclear factorerythroid-2-related actor 2; HO-1: heme oxygenase-1.#### P < 0.0001, vs. the Sham group; * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group. P < 0.05, △△ P < 0.01, vs. PFD group. n = 3.

图5。与Sham相比,Model组大鼠肺组织中p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT、p-mTOR/mTOR的表达水平均有所上升(P<0.0001),与Model组相比,各给药组的通路蛋白表达水平均呈现下降趋势,在p-PI3K/PI3K中,SBT-M组和SBT-H组效果最好(P<0.0001);在p-AKT/AKT及p-mTOR/mTOR中,SBT-H组效果最好(P<0.0001),其中在p-AKT/AKT中SBT-H组与PFD组呈现出给药差异(P<0.001)。这一结果提示SBT可能通过抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路从而抑制氧化应激过程,对肺纤维化大鼠产生保护作用。

图 5.

图 5

Protein expression levels of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in rat lung tissue

大鼠肺组织PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路蛋白表达水平

BLM: bleomycin sulfate; PFD: pirfenidone. #### P < 0.0001, vs. the Sham group; *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001, vs. the model group. n = 3.

3. 讨论

作为不可逆性的慢性纤维化肺病,IPF患者最初病变部位会发生肺间质胶原沉积,随着进程不断发展,肺部结构损伤逐渐严重,患者丧失依从性,肺部气体交换能力受到影响,最终导致呼吸衰竭而死亡[21]。肺纤维化的发生发展伴随细胞外基质沉积增多,改变组织形态与性能,影响肺部气体交换功能,并造成肺组织重量增加,肺系数显著上升。本研究通过博来霉素气管滴给药的形式建立大鼠肺纤维化模型后,通过统计生理状况及肺脏系数,观察肺组织形态及病理结构等方式初步确定各组大鼠肺纤维化情况。据估计,在全球范围内IPF患病人数增至约500万人[22]。目前尚未有能够逆转肺纤维化进程的药物,常用药物也具有一定的不良反应。SBT作为藏药经典名方,用药处方以植物天然药物为主成分,具有临床毒副作用小、可持续使用等优点,并且众多研究已经证实其对肺部疾病具有疗效。因此,本研究聚焦SBT对IPF的疗效及其作用机制。

肺部一直处于暴露在外界环境中的状态,呼吸道在吸入空气的同时不可避免得接触微生物[23]。据统计,每天吸入环境空气量接近7000 L,其中包含大量微生物,一旦环境诱发肺微生物群生态失调,将进一步激发肺部氧化应激及炎症反应,从而引发肺纤维化并在整个IPF发展过程中持续存在[24]。本研究通过测定氧化应激及炎症因子水平,进一步通过蛋白质印迹分析肺纤维化进程中的标志蛋白α-SMA表达水平以确定各组间肺纤维化情况,验证肺纤维化疾病进程,并证实SBT在IPF氧化应激及炎症发展阶段具有疗效。肺纤维化作为一种异质性疾病,使胶原蛋白在肺间质内不断沉积,导致肺泡毛细血管膜逐渐增厚,损害气体交换并扭曲肺结构,随后出现生理紊乱和器官衰竭[25]。本研究通过检测HYP含量、肺组织中Collagen-Ⅰ的蛋白含量及各组大鼠血清中基质金属蛋白酶MMP-2、MMP-9等指标评估胶原沉积水平,进一步证实SBT在IPF发展后期具有较好疗效。

基于以上研究,证实SBT在肺纤维化进程中能够抗氧化应激及肺部炎症,并抑制IPF导致的肺间质胶原沉积,在IPF发展进程的各个阶段中均发挥了显著疗效。因此对SBT治疗肺纤维化机制进行探索,Nrf2/HO-1信号通路是人体内关键的抗氧化应激途径。本研究首先从抑制氧化应激通路入手,证明SBT能够通过激活Nrf2/HO-1通路改善氧化应激大鼠肺纤维化进程。

抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路能够抑制氧化应激,激活自噬从而改善肺纤维化[26]。研究表明,在动物模型中肺菌群失调先于纤维化,且根除微生物群能够显著改善IPF发病进程,肺间质中存在的微生物群可能通过调控免疫通路引发病变[27-28],基于此,本研究推断SBT能够通过调控免疫通路从而实现肺部微环境稳态,从而在IPF发展进程各个阶段中均发挥疗效。PI3K/AKT/mTOR作为主要免疫调节通道[29],能够促进氧化应激和炎症反应,并在调节细胞自噬及微生态紊乱中起到重要作用[30]。由此推断SBT可能通过抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路从而改善肺间质微环境,从源头处缓解IPF进程。

本研究还存在一定局限。首先,本研究在肺纤维化炎症初期采取给药干预,采用预防性给药的方式对SBT抗肺纤维化的作用机制进行探究,造模形式较为单一。其次,本研究虽然证实SBT能够通过影响Nrf2/HO-1及PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路从而调节氧化应激发挥作用,但SBT发挥抗肺纤维化的作用途径很可能不止一条。因此,本研究下一步将针对上述问题展开更系统性的探究,旨在完善藏药经典名方索罗西汤治疗肺纤维化作用机制的理论体系。

综上所述,本研究证明SBT能够通过调节Nrf2/HO-1及PI3K/AKT/mTOR双通路的表达来恢复肺组织的氧化还原平衡,并可能对肺间质微环境起到调节作用,有助于抑制IPF进程。

*    *    *

作者贡献声明

杜金洋负责论文构思、正式分析、研究方法、可视化、初稿写作和审读与编辑写作,白玛拉宗负责数据审编和正式分析,德吉白珍负责正式分析和调查研究,巴桑德吉负责调查研究和监督指导,边巴次仁负责经费获取和研究项目管理,叶本贵负责论文构思、经费获取、研究项目管理、提供资源和审读与编辑写作。所有作者已经同意将文章提交给本刊,且对将要发表的版本进行最终定稿,并同意对工作的所有方面负责。

利益冲突

所有作者均声明不存在利益冲突

Author Contribution

DU Jinyang is responsible for conceptualization, formal analysis, methodology, visualization, writing--original draft, and writing--review and editing. BAIMALAZONG is responsible for data curation and formal analysis. DEJIBAIZHEN is responsible for formal analysis and investigation. BASANGDEJI is responsible for investigation and supervision. BIANBACIREN is responsible for funding acquisition and project administration. YE Bengui is responsible for conceptualization, funding acquisition, project administration, resources, and writing--review and editing. All authors consented to the submission of the article to the Journal. All authors approved the final version to be published and agreed to take responsibility for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

All authors declare no competing interests.

Funding Statement

西藏自治区藏医药管理局项目“索罗西汤”藏药经典名方制剂工艺优化及质量标准研究(No. 2023-XZ-ZYYJ-01-LH),2023年度西藏自治区高新社发领域“揭榜挂帅”项目(No. XZ202303ZY0007G),西藏自治区科学技术厅2023年、2025年重点研发计划(No. XZ202301ZY0007G、No. XZ202501ZY0012)和西藏大学硕士研究生“高水平人才培养计划”项目(No. 2025-GSP-S165)资助

Contributor Information

金洋 杜 (Jinyang DU), Email: 1319446883@qq.com.

本贵 叶 (Bengui YE), Email: benguiye513@163.com.

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