Basic Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2021; 27(40): 6888-6907
Published online Oct 28, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i40.6888
Table 1 Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum of rats (n = 8)
Group
ALT (U/L)
AST (U/L)
Normal control43.6 ± 8.7131.6 ± 25.1
Model control187.3 ± 29.6a285.1 ± 31.5a
Positive control86.7 ± 13.7c184.2 ± 37.8c
F-G (15 g/kg)151.2 ± 24.3246.2 ± 39.8
F-G (30 g/kg)119.4 ± 19.5c224.0 ± 34.1b
Table 2 Calibration curve, R², and concentration range of nine metabolites
Compound
Standard curve
R2
Range (ng/mL)
L-LeuY = 0.0627X - 4.97970.9952100-10000
5-HTY = 0.0385X - 0.02690.99390.8-80
N-pheY = 0.0229X - 4.91200.9958250-25000
L-TryY = 0.0048X - 2.46730.9926600-60000
L-KynY = 0.0331X + 0.01230.99605-500
5-HTPY = 0.0492X - 0.00010.99830.2-20
CAY = 0.00004X - 0.00100.995940-4000
GSHY = 0.0032X - 0.23620.9975150-20000
GSSGY = 0.0001X + 0.00100.994950-10000
Table 3 Accuracy and precision of the developed ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (n = 6)
Ingredient
Concentration (ng/mL)
Accuracy %
Precision %
Repeatability %
Stability %
L-Leu750100.35 ± 3.203.193.690.41
1000105.20 ± 6.456.136.911.69
500095.53 ± 4.554.764.981.85
5-HT699.78 ± 8.618.638.102.78
8101.78 ± 4.324.242.873.80
40101.76 ± 4.504.424.242.14
N-phe1800100.29 ± 4.324.314.723.07
250098.97 ± 4.134.173.713.18
1250092.24 ± 5.125.555.951.09
L-Try450097.33 ± 3.253.343.750.71
600095.45 ± 4.124.324.223.35
3000094.89 ± 4.775.034.224.00
L-Kyn3799.61 ± 4.664.685.002.98
50102.43 ± 4.154.054.411.73
25099.76 ± 4.114.124.152.09
5-HTP300102.45 ± 4.514.403.983.65
40095.20 ± 8.809.247.506.16
2000101.77 ± 8.117.977.897.36
CA1.599.88 ± 3.703.703.831.47
297.00 ± 3.193.292.972.47
1096.76 ± 5.305.484.175.22
GSH1500101.91 ± 4.654.565.191.45
200096.05 ± 3.984.144.630.89
1000097.51 ± 5.886.034.452.45
GSSG75099.64 ± 3.973.984.431.56
1000100.8 ± 6.456.407.234.89
500098.39 ± 4.544.613.903.80
Table 4 Recovery of the developed ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (n = 6)
Ingredient
Baseline (ng/mL)
Spiked (ng/mL)
Recovery %
L-Leu100025092.53 ± 7.13
50093.42 ± 11.52
75087.53 ± 9.59
5-HT8285.37 ± 9.79
490.52 ± 13.47
693.05 ± 10.16
N-phe250062594.54 ± 12.15
125089.46 ± 6.54
187586.72 ± 8.19
L-Try6000150093.04 ± 13.23
300085.42 ± 7.12
450091.16 ± 12.25
L-Kyn5012.590.48 ± 6.18
2585.30 ± 10.42
37.586.20 ± 6.13
5-HTP20.591.49 ± 5.36
194.64 ± 7.46
1.593.58 ± 5.15
CA40010091.83 ± 12.12
20093.29 ± 8.62
30090.22 ± 7.28
GSH100025088.17 ± 6.33
50091.16 ± 6.15
75090.85 ± 9.81
GSSG200050091.15 ± 10.08
100093.92 ± 12.15
150089.27 ± 10.92
Table 5 Serum metabolites in CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats (n = 8)
Metabolite
Model group
Control group
FG group
L-leucine431.1 ± 54.32331.4 ± 48.78d393.5 ± 53.83
N-phenylacetylglycine5.350 ± 0.9381.417 ± 0.351d2.915 ± 0.496b,d
L-tryptophan17.96 ± 3.01414.63 ± 2.724c17.05 ± 2.679a
L-kynurenine6.270 ± 0.7293.948 ± 0.450d6.646 ± 1.214b
Cholic acid1.342 ± 0.2300.047 ± 0.004d1.001 ± 0.124b,d
GSH2.562 ± 0.4330.991 ± 0.285d2.317 ± 0.632b
GSSG0.108 ± 0.0160.021 ± 0.002d0.051 ± 0.009b,d
lactate257.8 ± 32.57230.8 ± 37.30185.3 ± 31.52b,d
Choline3.548 ± 0.5392.639 ± 0.4512.802 ± 0.413
(E)-butenedioic acid163.6 ± 18.5779.48 ± 8.625d87.82 ± 10.55d
Hypoxanthine0.052 ± 0.0030.021 ± 0.002d0.022 ± 0.003d
Carnitine23.55 ± 5.02413.52 ± 1.370d20.05 ± 1.323b
Phenylalanine289.5 ± 37.51165.6 ± 23.76d261.4 ± 32.33b
Uric acid4.523 ± 0.8632.769 ± 0.474d2.927 ± 0.488d
Hippuric acid95.58 ± 16.4765.78 ± 13.92d76.53 ± 16.92d
Citric acid11.86 ± 1.53115.62 ± 2.437d13.51 ± 2.002
Pantothenic acid7.852 ± 0.9534.602 ± 0.560d4.831 ± 0.693d
Uridine19.37 ± 2.7726.816 ± 0.829d17.53 ± 2.503b
Glucosamine-1-phosphate0.025 ± 0.0050.017 ± 0.004c0.020 ± 0.004
8-OH-dG0.008 ± 0.0010.007 ± 0.001c0.007 ± 0.001c
C16:1 Lyso PC3.215 ± 0.4914.813 ± 0.503d6.293 ± 1.337b,d
C16:0 Lyso PC13.37 ± 2.43416.62 ± 3.02718.39 ± 3.316c
C18:1 Lyso PC16.837 ± 2.39223.699 ± 4.427d26.647 ± 4.339a,d
C18:0 LysoPC11.42 ± 1.13018.332 ± 1.833d16.66 ± 2.603a,d
Table 6 Variable importance in the projection values of serum metabolites and effects of CCl4 on their changes (model group vs negative group)
Var ID (primary)
M1-VIP
Variation trend
GSSG1.19631↑↑
Cholic acid1.18964↑↑
Uridine1.18609↑↑
N-phenylacetylglycine1.16986↑↑
Hypoxanthine1.13469↑↑
(E)-butenedioic acid1.1299↑↑
GSH1.12862↑↑
C18:0LPC1.12325↓↓
Pantothenic acid1.08663↑↑
Carnitine1.08264↑↑
Phenylalanine1.07794↑↑
Hippuric acid1.06083↑↑
C16:1LPC1.05866↓↓
Uric acid1.01621↑↑
C18:1LPC0.943612↓↓
L-kynurenine0.919692
L-leucine0.90164↑↑
Glucosamine-1-phosphate0.893372
Citric acid0.866932↓↓
L-tryptophan0.842517
8-OH-dG0.711595
Lactate0.704198NS
Choline0.639509NS
C16:0LPC0.514772NS
Table 7 Variable importance in the projection values of serum metabolites and effects of Fuzi-Gancao on their changes (Fuzi-Gancao group vs model group)
Var ID (primary)
M1-VIP
Variation trend
Hypoxanthine1.37706↓↓
GSSG1.36516↓↓
Pantothenic acid1.28548↓↓
C18:1LPC1.27880↑↑
C16:1LPC1.25881↑↑
N-phenylacetylglycine1.22022↓↓
Lactate1.21835↓↓
Hippuric acid1.21598↓↓
Uric acid1.21291↓↓
(E)-butenedioic acid1.21107↓↓
Cholic acid1.17091↓↓
C18:0LPC1.15078↑↑
C16:0LPC1.00088
Choline0.906949NS
L-kynurenine0.893225↑↑
Uridine0.810356NS
8-OH-dG0.777736NS
Citric acid0.633654NS
GSH0.512313NS
L-leucine0.497685NS
Carnitine0.447434NS
Phenylalanine0.427897NS
Glucosamine-1-phosphate0.312245NS
L-tryptophan0.0800812NS
Table 8 Standard curve, R2, and concentration range of 11 bile acids in serum
Compound
Standard curve
R²
Range (ng/mL)
CDCAY = 0.0235X - 0.00560.99812.5-1000
UDCAY = 0.0013X + 0.21560.99721.25-500
GCAY = 0.0164X + 1.15770.99561.25-500
GDCAY = 0.0025X + 0.8330.99821.25-500
TCAY = 0.0198X - 0.01130.99531.25-500
TUDCAY = 0.0332X + 0.00230.99852.5-1000
TCDCAY = 0.0306X + 0.004220.99232.5-1000
GCDCAY = 0.0133X - 0.003240.99152.5-1000
GLCAY = 0.0018X + 0.002420.99312.5-1000
DCAY = 0.0076X + 0.006140.99562.5-1000
CAY = 0.0916X - 0.004650.99872.5-1000
Table 9 Precision, accuracy, and recovery of bile acids in serum samples (n = 6, mean ± SD)
Compound
Concentration (ng/mL)
Recovery (%)
Intraday
Interday
Accuracy (%)
Precision (%)
Accuracy (%)
Precision (%)
CA2.590.12 ± 2.1696.44 ± 2.054.2691.83 ± 3.325.03
50088.21 ± 5.3491.65 ± 4.143.6094.42 ± 4.554.36
200085.60 ± 7.2292.11 ± 4.115.4294.54 ± 8.356.00
GLCA1.2591.52 ± 5.5192.13 ± 2.975.7198.48 ± 2.223.75
25086.74 ± 7.1287.31 ± 1.924.2393.42 ± 3.675.40
100090.48 ± 3.3191.55 ± 5.316.1389.24 ± 4.634.57
GDCA1.2588.54 ± 2.9390.67 ± 6.876.2288.55 ± 3.873.28
25098.43 ± 1.2697.24 ± 7.866.38101.53 ± 2.542.76
100095.56 ± 4.0189.34 ± 2.652.8189.23 ± 6.256.16
GCDCA1.2596.02 ± 3.1193.24 ± 3.786.3089.32 ± 4.323.19
25090.13 ± 3.4297.43 ± 2.825.0388.54 ± 4.752.10
100089.32 ± 3.1386.53 ± 4.272.9689.52 ± 3.633.28
GCA1.2580.87 ± 3.8399.31 ± 5.194.1889.42 ± 1.712.32
25091.43 ± 6.38101.33 ± 2.232.59112.53 ± 5.762.29
100092.43 ± 2.1488.76 ± 1.461.2089.16 ± 3.463.09
TCA2.584.77 ± 2.38103.55 ± 1.271.5098.24 ± 2.145.51
50086.92 ± 4.9689.04 ± 6.425.5395.33 ± 2.863.82
200081.34 ± 1.8488.57 ± 4.854.7797.81 ± 3.084.50
CDCA1.2580.33 ± 3.2394.33 ± 4.624.3990.49 ± 4.835.18
25086.34 ± 2.4592.33 ± 4.933.7091.49 ± 7.394.49
100084.62 ± 3.2192.33 ± 6.035.5892.77 ± 4.836.18
DCA1.2595.54 ± 2.1794.67 ± 4.935.88104.21 ± 7.223.87
25082.56 ± 4.32106.33 ± 7.374.3699.31 ± 5.665.57
100094.45 ± 5.34101.33 ± 5.776.3189.83 ± 4.534.71
UDCA1.2583.32 ± 1.4391.67 ± 4.626.4193.43 ± 4.633.38
25088.13 ± 5.9495.33 ± 4.736.5792.12 ± 4.492.84
100085.26 ± 3.0194 ± 4.582.9091.79 ± 5.746.35
TCDCA1.2586.04 ± 3.3693.67 ± 5.866.4992.77 ± 4.833.28
25087.98 ± 3.1194.67 ± 4.935.1889.83 ± 4.532.17
100083.72 ± 2.1991.67 ± 4.623.0592.77 ± 7.363.38
TUDCA1.2587.17 ± 4.6194.67 ± 7.514.3196.69 ± 9.822.39
25087.41 ± 4.0998.67 ± 10.022.6698.33 ± 8.332.36
100099.06 ± 3.56100.33 ± 8.51.2392.45 ± 4.533.18
Table 10 Stability of bile acid standards in serum samples (n = 6, mean ± SD)
Compound
Concentration (ng/mL)
Concentration (mean ± SD)
Initial
Freeze-thaw
Short-term
Long-term
Post-preparation
CA2.52.35 ± 0.172.3 ± 0.162.56 ± 0.182.33 ± 0.172.52 ± 0.08
500495.43 ± 12.15485.52 ± 11.91538.93 ± 13.22511.98 ± 12.56505.09 ± 5.54
20002080.38 ± 1012038.77 ± 98.982263.03 ± 109.872149.88 ± 104.382194.52 ± 99.16
GLCA1.251.24 ± 0.141.22 ± 0.131.17 ± 0.151.21 ± 0.141.25 ± 0.14
250247.1 ± 10.76242.15 ± 10.55258.79 ± 11.71255.35 ± 11.12250.24 ± 10.9
1000979.04 ± 40.32959.46 ± 39.51985 ± 43.861011.75 ± 41.66991.52 ± 40.83
GDCA1.251.27 ± 0.051.24 ± 0.051.24 ± 0.061.19 ± 0.061.26 ± 0.08
250240.43 ± 3.98235.62 ± 3.9261.54 ± 4.33248.46 ± 4.12249.32 ± 5.42
1000975.71 ± 45.93956.19 ± 45.011061.38 ± 49.961008.31 ± 47.461035.03 ± 14.83
GCDCA1.251.27 ± 0.061.23 ± 0.081.36 ± 0.081.21 ± 0.091.21 ± 0.08
250243.49 ± 4.03242.1 ± 19.01237.25 ± 18.63263.35 ± 20.68250.18 ± 19.64
1000988.14 ± 46.511047.04 ± 49.291026.1 ± 48.311108.97 ± 53.621082.02 ± 50.94
GCA1.251.19 ± 0.031.27 ± 0.031.27 ± 0.031.22 ± 0.031.21 ± 0.04
250237.1 ± 1.93232.35 ± 1.9257.91 ± 2.1245.02 ± 2244.16 ± 1.88
1000982.38 ± 30.18962.73 ± 29.581068.63 ± 32.831015.2 ± 31.191014.36 ± 44.06
TCA2.52.25 ± 0.172.21 ± 0.162.45 ± 0.182.33 ± 0.172.42 ± 0.08
500492.1 ± 28.22482.25 ± 27.65535.3 ± 30.69508.54 ± 29.16494.76 ± 23.69
20002013.71 ± 105.211973.43 ± 103.12190.51 ± 114.442080.99 ± 108.722142.85 ± 26.09
CDCA1.251.19 ± 0.11.28 ± 0.11.23 ± 0.111.24 ± 0.11.22 ± 0.08
250232.1 ± 6.9227.45 ± 6.77252.47 ± 7.51239.85 ± 7.14236.41 ± 5.54
10001010.38 ± 39.44990.17 ± 38.651099.09 ± 42.911044.13 ± 40.761057.77 ± 46.98
DCA1.251.13 ± 0.031.15 ± 0.061.18 ± 0.131.23 ± 0.131.24 ± 0.14
250236.33 ± 13.65229.67 ± 21.36233 ± 10.15244.65 ± 10.66247.1 ± 10.76
1000967.67 ± 15.82947.67 ± 106.821031 ± 115.66982.55 ± 53.41979.04 ± 40.32
UDCA1.251.22 ± 0.061.19 ± 0.061.23 ± 0.071.26 ± 0.071.28 ± 0.07
250252.1 ± 6.9247.05 ± 6.77244.23 ± 7.51250.52 ± 7.14257.07 ± 5.54
1000931.71 ± 85.92971.43 ± 120.15958.15 ± 108.46940.89 ± 109.041061.11 ± 99.16
TCDCA1.251.22 ± 0.061.25 ± 0.061.28 ± 0.071.22 ± 0.061.19 ± 0.06
250251.76 ± 3.11246.73 ± 3.05273.87 ± 3.39260.17 ± 3.22261.73 ± 2.5
10001013.71 ± 69.97993.43 ± 68.571102.71 ± 76.111047.58 ± 72.311057.77 ± 99.16
TUDCA1.251.22 ± 0.021.2 ± 0.021.23 ± 0.031.26 ± 0.021.27 ± 0.03
250249.1 ± 6.47244.11 ± 6.34270.97 ± 7.04257.42 ± 6.68259.14 ± 8.46
1000977.04 ± 18.84957.5 ± 18.461062.83 ± 20.491009.69 ± 19.471006.1 ± 26.09
Table 11 Ratio of bile acids in each experimental group to corresponding composition of negative control group
Bile acid
Negative
Model
Positive
FGL
FGM
FGH
CA1.002.571.382.161.921.40
GLCA1.001.611.081.451.171.15
GDCA1.004.452.433.532.782.14
GCDCA1.001.741.181.851.281.09
GCA1.001.301.251.221.161.12
TCA1.001.991.111.901.371.31
CDCA1.004.122.083.762.902.03
UDCA1.005.683.174.873.723.62
TUDCA1.006.003.084.734.133.87
TCDCA1.003.241.572.922.632.03
DCA1.005.162.404.483.842.95