Abstract
Radix Astragali (RA) herb with warm property and significant “tonifying qi” effects is indicated for the syndrome of internal cold due to Yang deficiency. The purpose of this research was to explore effects of Radix Astragali (RA) through PPAR signaling pathway on gene expression profiles related to energy metabolism in rats with the Yang-deficiency cold (YDC) syndrome, for identifying the pathological mechanism of Yang-deficiency cold (YDC) syndrome and the effects mechanism of RA. The results indicated that RA could significantly increase body weight (BM), cold and heat tendency (CT), overall temperature (OT), rectum temperature (RT), toe temperature (TT), energy intake (EI), and V(O2)/V(CO2) ratio (which indicates basal metabolism, BM) (P<0.05), enhancing the depressed metabolic function in YDC syndrome model rat. Our data also indicated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to energy metabolism involving lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids metabolic process; the expression of CPT-1 and FABP4 (ap2) was improved; PPAR, Glycolysis, Wnt, cAMP, MAPK, AMPK, and fatty acid degradation signaling pathway may be related to energy metabolism. However, the Chinese herbal medicine RA plays a certain role in promoting the metabolism of substances and energy in rats by its warming and beneficial effect. Our results suggest that the mechanism underlying the function of RA may take effect through the regulation of PPAR signaling pathway and related gene expression. Lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids metabolic process may be affected to adjust the reduced metabolic function in the model animals. In general, results indicate that RA could promote energy metabolism in rats with the YDC syndrome via PPAR signaling pathway regulating the expression of CPT-1 and FABP4 (ap2), which reflected the warm and qi tonifying properties of RA.
Highlights
Yang-deficiency cold syndrome (YDCS) has long been a common and frequently occurring clinical disease
According to the preliminary experimental results of our research group combined with literature research and clinical observation, it is speculated that the occurrence of YDCS may be closely related to the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine abnormal changes of energy metabolism
Based on preliminary experiments and literature studies, the standards for successful replication of the YDCS model are compared with the normal control group; the model rats mainly changed in the macroscopic symptoms, metabolic indicators, and temperature indicators
Summary
Yang-deficiency cold syndrome (YDCS) has long been a common and frequently occurring clinical disease. Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory, we established a mature animal model that mimics the characteristics and symptoms of YDCS. According to the preliminary experimental results of our research group combined with literature research and clinical observation, it is speculated that the occurrence of YDCS may be closely related to the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine abnormal changes of energy metabolism. PPAR is one of the main pathways for energy metabolism and plays a crucial role in changing energy metabolism This experiment will use both macroscopic observation and microscopic detection to verify the mechanism of YDCS and the role of PPAR signaling pathway along with its target genes CPT-1 and FABP4
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