Deciphering the Metabolomics-Based Intervention of Yanghe Decoction on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Abstract

Background. Yanghe decoction is a famous formula consisting of Rehmannia, deer horn gum, cinnamon, rue, Ephedra, ginger charcoal, and licorice. However, few studies have explored the role of the potential mechanism of Yanghe decoction in the treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis by metabolomics. Methods. Nine mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group (group C), model group (group M), and drug administration group (group T), with three mice in each group. Mice in groups M and T were established as models of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and group T was treated with Yanghe decoction. The metabolome of plasma samples from each group of mice was determined using mass spectrometry coupled with high-performance liquid and gas phases, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Based on the three assays, principal component analysis was performed on all samples, as well as orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis and differential metabolite molecules for groups M and T. Subsequently, pathway enrichment analysis was performed, and the intersection was taken for the differential metabolites screened in the M and T groups. The levels of inflammatory factors IL-35 and IL-6 within the serum of each group of mice were detected. Results. The difference analysis showed that a total of 38 differential metabolites were screened based on mass spectrometry coupled with the high-performance liquid phase, 120 differential metabolites were screened based on mass spectrometry coupled with gas phase, and a total of α-glucose and β-glucose were the differential metabolites analyzed based on NMR test results. The pathways enriched by the differential metabolites in the M and T groups were intersected, and a total of 5 common pathways were obtained (amino acid tRNA biosynthesis, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism). The results also showed a significant decrease in the serum inflammatory factor IL-35 and a significant increase in IL-6 in mice from group M compared with group C, while a significant increase in the serum inflammatory factor IL-35 and a significant decrease in IL-6 in mice from group T compared with group M. Conclusion. Our study reveals the metabolites as well as a metabolic network that can be altered by Yanghe decoction treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and shows that Yanghe decoction can effectively reduce the level of inflammatory factors in Hashimoto’s thyroid.

Serum metabolomic analysis in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

“…In SLE, Amir Sharabi et al revealed that medicines for SLE affect the metabolism of T-cell subsets (including glycolysis, glutaminolysis, fatty acid, and glycosphingolipid metabolism), altering metabolite levels (33). Xing Zhang et al suggested that The levels of inflammatory factors and serum metabolites in mice with HT were changed after administration of Yanghe Decoctiont, indicating that Yanghe_Decoction reduces inflammatory factors in HT (12), while the metabolomic studies of HT after treatment are still absent in clinical.Consequently, we analyzed the serum metabolites of patients with HT in different clinical stages. LPC 18:0 sn-1, PC 38:6, SM 34:2, LPC 18:1 sn-1, and SM 36:2 were increased in both HTE and HTE groups compared to the control.…”

“…Meantime, Chng et al found that antithyroid drug treatment increased the arginine levels during the transition from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism in GD patients (11). Xing Zhang et al found that metabolic network and inflammatory factors were influenced and cured by Yanghe decoction in HT (12).…”

“…Xing Zhang et al. found that metabolic network and inflammatory factors were influenced and cured by Yanghe decoction in HT ( 12 ).…”

Serum metabolomic analysis in positive-TgAb or positive-TPOAb in female Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients

“…Song et al found that polyamine metabolites showed different levels in serum between patients with thyroid disease (GD, pTab, HTS, HT) and healthy controls [10] . Meantime, the concentration of metabolic in serum can be also affected by treatment [14][15] .…”