Recent studies have revealed a significant relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), both of which commonly affect middle-aged and older men. These conditions share underlying causes, particularly endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and chronic pelvic ischemia (CPI). This study investigated the therapeutic potential of LDD175, a large-conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channel (BKCa channel) opener, in simultaneously treating both conditions using a CPI animal model of male Sprague Dawley rats. Our study investigated the induction of CPI through surgical endothelial damage combined with a high-cholesterol diet. We assessed erectile and voiding functions by measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and intraurethral pressure (IUP), respectively, after nerve stimulation. We performed histological examinations of vascular changes and western blot analyses of cavernous and prostate tissues to understand the underlying mechanisms. This study evaluated the effectiveness of LDD175 compared to standard treatments, such as sildenafil for ED and tamsulosin for LUTS. Therefore, the CPI model successfully demonstrated ED and LUTS symptoms with decreased ICP and increased IUP. Analysis revealed elevated levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, transforming growth factor-β1 and β2 in cavernous tissue, and increased α1A-adrenoceptor expression in prostate tissue. LDD175 administration showed promising results, with dose-dependent improvements in ICP and IUP, and therapeutic effects comparable to those of established treatments. Our findings suggest a novel therapeutic approach that can simultaneously address ED and LUTS, opening new possibilities for clinical application in the treatment of these interconnected conditions.
Male ; Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/etiology* ; Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Tamsulosin ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/drug effects* ; Sildenafil Citrate/therapeutic use* ; Penis/blood supply* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Pelvis/blood supply* ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels/agonists*

As one of the key enzymes in cell metabolism, the activity of citrate synthase 3 (CS3) regulates the substance and energy metabolism of organisms. The protein members of CS3 family were identified from the whole genome of apple, and bioinformatics analysis was performed and expression patterns were analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for studying the potential function of CS3 gene in apple. BLASTp was used to identify members of the apple CS3 family based on the GDR database, and the basic information of CS3 protein sequence, subcellular localization, domain composition, phylogenetic relationship and chromosome localization were analyzed by Pfam, SMART, MEGA5.0, clustalx.exe, ExPASy Proteomics Server, MEGAX, SOPMA, MEME, WoLF PSORT and other software. The tissue expression and inducible expression characteristics of 6 CS3 genes in apple were determined by acid content and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Apple CS3 gene family contains 6 members, and these CS3 proteins contain 473-608 amino acid residues, with isoelectric point distribution between 7.21 and 8.82. Subcellular localization results showed that CS3 protein was located in mitochondria and chloroplasts, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis divided them into 3 categories, and the number of genes in each subfamily was 2. Chromosome localization analysis showed that CS3 gene was distributed on different chromosomes of apple. The secondary structure of protein is mainly α-helix, followed by random curling, and the proportion of β-angle is the smallest. The 6 members were all expressed in different apple tissues. The overall expression trend from high to low was the highest relative expression content of MdCS3.4, followed by MdCS3.6, and the relative expression level of other members was in the order of MdCS3.3 > MdCS3.2 > MdCS3.1 > MdCS3.5. qRT-PCR results showed that MdCS3.1 and MdCS3.3 genes had the highest relative expression in the pulp of 'Chengji No. 1' with low acid content, and MdCS3.2 and MdCS3.3 genes in the pulp of 'Asda' with higher acid content had the highest relative expression. Therefore, in this study, the relative expression of CS3 gene in apple cultivars with different acid content in different apple varieties was detected, and its role in apple fruit acid synthesis was analyzed. The experimental results showed that the relative expression of CS3 gene in different apple varieties was different, which provided a reference for the subsequent study of the quality formation mechanism of apple.
Citric Acid ; Malus/genetics* ; Citrate (si)-Synthase ; Phylogeny ; Citrates

Itaconate is a pivotal intermediate metabolite in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of immune cells. It is produced by decarboxylation of cis-aconitic acid under the catalysis of aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1), which is encoded by the immune response gene 1 (IRG1). Itaconate has become a focal point of research on immunometabolism. Studies have demonstrated that itaconate plays a crucial role in diseases by regulating inflammation, remodeling cell metabolism, and participating in epigenetic regulation. This paper reviewed the research progress in itaconnate from its chemical structure, regulatory effects on different diseases, and mechanisms, proposes the future research directions, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of itaconate-related drugs.
Humans ; Succinates/metabolism* ; Carboxy-Lyases/genetics* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Animals ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Neoplasms/immunology*

Citric Acid Cycle ; NAD/metabolism* ; Photons ; Neurons/metabolism*

Citric Acid Cycle ; Citric Acid ; Malates/metabolism* ; Citrates/metabolism* ; Aspartic Acid/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Given the general unavailability, common adverse effects, and complicated administration of tetracycline, the clinical application of classic bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is greatly limited. Whether minocycline can replace tetracycline for Helicobacter pylori ( H . pylori ) eradication is unknown. We aimed to compare the eradication rate, safety, and compliance between minocycline- and tetracycline-containing BQT as first-line regimens. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 434 naïve patients with H . pylori infection. The participants were randomly assigned to 14-day minocycline-containing BQT group (bismuth potassium citrate 110 mg q.i.d., esomeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., metronidazole 400 mg q.i.d., and minocycline 100 mg b.i.d.) and tetracycline-containing BQT group (bismuth potassium citrate/esomeprazole/metronidazole with doses same as above and tetracycline 500 mg q.i.d.). Safety and compliance were assessed within 3 days after eradication. Urea breath test was performed at 4-8 weeks after eradication to evaluate outcome. We used a noninferiority test to compare the eradication rates of the two groups. The intergroup differences were evaluated using Pearson chi-squared or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and Student's t -test for continuous variables. RESULTS: As for the eradication rates of minocycline- and tetracycline-containing BQT, the results of both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses showed that the difference rate of lower limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) was >-10.0% (ITT analysis: 181/217 [83.4%] vs . 180/217 [82.9%], with a rate difference of 0.5% [-6.9% to 7.9%]; PP analysis: 177/193 [91.7%] vs . 176/191 [92.1%], with a rate difference of -0.4% [-5.6% to 6.4%]). Except for dizziness more common (35/215 [16.3%] vs . 13/214 [6.1%], P = 0.001) in minocycline-containing therapy groups, the incidences of adverse events (75/215 [34.9%] vs . 88/214 [41.1%]) and compliance (195/215 [90.7%] vs . 192/214 [89.7%]) were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The eradication efficacy of minocycline-containing BQT was noninferior to tetracycline-containing BQT as first-line regimen for H . pylori eradication with similar safety and compliance. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR 1900023646.
Humans ; Bismuth/therapeutic use* ; Metronidazole/therapeutic use* ; Esomeprazole/pharmacology* ; Minocycline/pharmacology* ; Helicobacter pylori ; Potassium Citrate/therapeutic use* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Tetracycline/adverse effects* ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Amoxicillin

Introduction: Urinary citrate is a potent inhibitor of urinary crystallization that is freely filtered in the proximal tubule of the kidney. We aimed to investigate the effect of citrate supplementation with fresh lime juice on the urinary pH and calcium excretion level among healthy individuals compared with that of mist potassium citrate. Methods: In this prospective, cross-over single-centre study, 50 healthy medical student volunteers were randomly allocated to two treatment arms. One arm was prescribed with potassium citrate, while the other arm received citrate supplementation with a home preparation of fresh lime juice. The urinary pH and calcium-to-creatinine ratio (uCa/uCr) were measured at baseline and after 7 days of treatment. This was followed by a washout period of 2 weeks, after which each participant crossed over to the other treatment arm, and the urinary measurements were repeated. Results: Potassium citrate significantly increased the urinary pH among all participants, while fresh lime juice did not. Both fresh lime juice and potassium citrate reduced the uCa/uCr, although this effect was not significant. Conclusion Fresh lime juice is not as effective as potassium citrate in improving the urinary pH and calcium excretion level of healthy individuals. Therefore, it should be used as an adjunct rather than an alternative to potassium citrate.
Potassium Citrate ; Urolithiasis

Acute Kidney Injury/therapy* ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; Blood Coagulation ; Child ; Citrates ; Citric Acid/therapeutic use* ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Renal Replacement Therapy

Objective: To explore the application effects of bundle nursing of citric acid extracorporeal anticoagulation on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) of severe burn patients. Methods: A non-randomized controlled study was conducted. Forty-six patients who met the inclusion criteria and received regular nursing of citric acid extracorporeal anticoagulation during CRRT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University) from January to December 2017 were included in regular nursing group (30 males and 16 females, aged 42.0 (38.7,47.0) years, with 201 times of CRRT performed), and 48 patients who met the inclusion criteria and received bundle nursing of citric acid extracorporeal anticoagulation during CRRT in the same hospital from January to December 2018 were included in bundle nursing group (32 males and 16 females, aged 41.0 (36.0,46.0) years, with 164 times of CRRT performed). The clinical data of all the patients in the two groups were recorded, including the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, total cost of treatment in ICU, cost of CRRT, unplanned ending of treatment, ending of treatment due to operation (with the rates of unplanned ending of treatment and ending of treatment due to operation calculated), times of disposable hemodialysis filter and supporting pipeline filter (hereinafter referred to as filter) with use time>24 h, times of CRRT, and lifetime of filter. For the patients in both groups who continuously received CRRT for 3 days or more from the first treatment, the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), international normalized ratio (INR), total calcium, ionic calcium (with the difference of total calcium or ionic calcium between before and after treatment calculated), creatinine, urea, β₂ microglobulin, cystatin C, platelet count, mean arterial pressure, pH value, oxygenation index, bicarbonate radical, and lactic acid levels before the first treatment (hereinafter referred to as before treatment) and 3 days after the first treatment (hereinafter referred to as after 3 days of treatment). The treatment-related complications of all patients in the two groups were recorded during hospitalization. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test. Results: Compared with those in regular nursing group, the length of ICU stay was significantly shortened (Z=-4.71, P<0.01), the total cost of treatment in ICU was significantly reduced (t=-1.39, P<0.01), the cost of CRRT had no significant change (P>0.05), the rates of unplanned ending of treatment and ending of treatment due to operation were both significantly decreased (with χ² values of 12.20 and 17.83, respectively, P<0.01), the times of filter service time>24 h was increased significantly (Z=-5.93, P<0.01), the times of CRRT were significantly reduced (Z=-4.75, P<0.01), and the filter service life was significantly prolonged (Z=-9.24, P<0.01) among patients in bundle nursing group. Thirty-one patients in bundle nursing group and 28 patients in regular nursing group continuously received CRRT for 3 days or more from the first treatment. Before treatment, PT, APTT, and INR of patients in bundle nursing group were 24.10 (16.08, 39.20) s, 38.81 (32.32, 45.50) s, and 1.17 (1.12, 1.19), respectively, similar to 31.75 (22.99, 40.96) s, 41.82 (35.05, 48.06) s, and 1.15 (1.11, 1.19) of patients in regular nursing group (P>0.05); the levels of total calcium and ionic calcium of patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). After 3 days of treatment, PT, APTT, and INR of patients in bundle nursing group and regular nursing group were 29.06 (20.11, 39.46) s, 35.25 (30.06, 40.28) s, 1.13 (1.09, 1.17) and 36.51 (26.64, 42.92) s, 39.89 (34.81, 46.62) s, 1.14 (1.10, 1.18), respectively, similar to those before treatment (P>0.05); the level of ionic calcium of patients in regular nursing group was significantly higher than that before treatment (Z=-2.08, P<0.05); the levels of total calcium and ionic calcium of patients in bundle nursing group were both significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values of -3.55 and -3.69, respectively, P<0.01); compared with those in regular nursing group, APTT of patients was significantly shorter (Z=-2.29, P<0.05), while the total calcium level of patients was significantly higher in bundle nursing group (Z=-2.26, P<0.05). The difference of total calcium between before and after treatment of patients in bundle nursing group was significantly higher than that in regular nursing group (Z=-3.15, P<0.01). The differences of ionic calcium between before and after treatment of patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). Before treatment, the level of β₂ microglobulin of patients in bundle nursing group was significantly higher than that in regular nursing group (Z=-2.84, P<0.01), the platelet count of patients in bundle nursing group was significantly lower than that in regular nursing group (Z=-2.44, P<0.05), while the levels of creatinine, urea, cystatin C, mean arterial pressure, pH value, oxygenation index, bicarbonate radical, and lactic acid of patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). After 3 days of treatment, the levels of creatinine, urea, β₂ microglobulin, cystatin C, pH value, bicarbonate radical, and lactic acid of patients were all significantly lower than those before treatment (with Z values of -2.10, -2.90, -3.11, -2.02, -2.34, -2.63, and -2.84, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the levels of platelet count, oxygenation index, and mean arterial pressure of patients were all significantly higher than those before treatment in bundle nursing group (with Z values of -6.65 and -2.40, respectively, t=-9.97, P<0.05 or P<0.01); the levels of creatinine, urea, β₂ microglobulin, cystatin C, platelet count, pH value, bicarbonate radical, and lactic acid of patients were all significantly lower than those before treatment (with Z values of -5.32, -2.31, -2.41, -2.21, -3.68, -2.93, -2.20, and -2.31, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the oxygenation index and mean arterial pressure of patients were both significantly higher than those before treatment in regular nursing group (Z=-5.59, t=-7.74, P<0.01). After 3 days of treatment, compared with those in regular nursing group, the levels of creatinine, cystatin C, platelet count, oxygenation index, bicarbonate radical, and mean arterial pressure of patients were all significantly higher (with Z values of -2.93, -1.99, -6.39, -2.09, and -2.52, respectively, t=-3.28, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the levels of urea, β₂ microglobulin, pH value, and lactic acid of patients were all significantly lower (with Z values of -3.87, -2.58, -4.24, and -2.75, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01) in bundle nursing group. During hospitalization, there were no treatment-related bleeding events or hypernatremia related to citric acid treatment of patients in the two groups. The ratio of total calcium to ionic calcium in one patient in bundle nursing group was >2.5, but there was no manifestation of citric acid accumulation poisoning; 1 patient had hypoionic calcemia, and 1 patient had severe metabolic alkalosis. Five patients had hypoionic calcemia and 2 patients had severe metabolic alkalosis in regular nursing group. Conclusions: The implementation of bundle nursing of citric acid extracorporeal anticoagulation during CRRT for severe burn patients shortens the length of ICU stay, reduces the total cost of treatment in ICU and the occurrence of treatment-related complications, relieves the economic burden of patients, and improves the continuity and quality of treatment.
Adult ; Anticoagulants ; Burns/therapy* ; Citric Acid ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between 24 h urinary ion content and kidney stones, and to explore the diagnostic values of kidney stone in primary gout patients. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary gout had ultrasound scanning of both feet and kidneys in Peking University First Hospital from Jan. 2020 to May 2021. Their clinical characteristics were compared between the positive and negative kidney stone groups, and the relationship between kidney stone and urinary ion composition were analyzed. Risk factors of kidney stone were analyzed. The explored diagnostic values were evaluated for urinary oxalate and citrate according with uric acid kidney stones by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT). RESULTS: Among the 100 gouty patients, 80 patients had uric acid crystal deposition in lower joints of extremity by ultrasonography, 61 patients had kidney stone, and 34 had kidney uric acid stones by DECT. All the multiple kidney stones were proved as uric acid kidney stones by DECT. Compared with patients without kidney stone group proved by ultrasonography, patients with kidney stone had longer gouty duration [(48.7±26.6) months vs. (84.0±30.6) months, P=0.01], higher 24 h urinary oxalate [(20.1±9.6) mg vs. (28.6±20.7) mg, P=0.001] and lower 24 h urinary citrate [(506.3±315.4) mg vs. (355.7±219.6) mg, P=0.001]. Compared with the patients without kidney stone by DECT, the patients with uric acid kidney stone also had longer disease duration [(49.1±28.4) months vs. (108.3±72.2) months, P=0.001], higher 24 h urinary oxalate [(23.6±16.9) mg vs. (28.5±18.8) mg, P < 0.05], lower 24 h urinary citrate [(556.0±316.3) mg vs. (391.7±261.2) mg, P < 0.05], higher serum uric acid [(466.2±134.5) μmol/L vs. (517.2±18.1) μmol/L, P < 0.05] and higher 24 h urinary uric acid [(1 518.1±893.4) mg vs. (1 684.2±812.1) mg, P < 0.05]. Logistic regression analysis showed long gout disease duration (OR=1.229, 95%CI: 1.062-1.522, P < 0.05), high serum uric acid level (OR=1.137, 95%CI: 1.001-1.213, P=0.01), low 24 h urinary citrate (OR=0.821, 95%CI: 0.659-0.952, P=0.01) were all risk factors of kidney stones by ultrasonography. Also, long gout disease duration (OR=1.201, 95%CI: 1.101-1.437, P=0.005), high serum creatine uric level (OR=1.145, 95%CI: 1.001-1.182, P=0.04), low 24 h urinary citrate (OR=0.837, 95%CI: 0.739-0.931, P=0.02) were all risk factors of kidney uric acid stones by DECT. CONCLUSION Long disease duration and low 24 h urinary citrate were risk factors for kidney stones.
Humans ; Urinary Calculi ; Uric Acid/analysis* ; Citric Acid ; Kidney Calculi/diagnostic imaging* ; Gout/diagnostic imaging* ; Citrates ; Oxalates