Lactic acid (LA) accumulation in tumor microenvironments (TME) has been implicated in immune suppression and tumor progress. Diverse roles of LA have been elucidated, including microenvironmental pH regulation, signal transduction, post-translational modification, and metabolic remodeling. This review summarizes LA functions within TME, focusing on the effects on tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells. Reducing LA levels is a potential strategy to attack cancer, which inevitably affects the physiological functions of normal tissues. Alternatively, transporting LA into the mitochondria as an energy source for immune cells is intriguing. We underscore the significance of LA in both tumor biology and immunology, proposing the burning of LA as a potential therapeutic approach to enhance antitumor immune responses.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Lactic Acid/immunology* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction

ObjectiveTo establish a qualitative and quantitative analysis method for chemical constituents in Liu Junzitang（LJZT）， and to clarify its material basis. MethodThe chemical constituents in LJZT were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）， and the resulting compounds were identified by using databases， such as MassBank， PubChem， ChemSpider， Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analytical Platform（TCMSP）， and by combining with relevant literature. UPLC was used to establish a quantitative method for analysis of 9 compounds in LJZT， including liquiritin， hesperidin， lobetyolin， liquiritigenin， glycyrrhizic acid， nobiletin， tangeretin， atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ. ResultBy combining the relevant literature， database and MS information， a total of 79 compounds were identified from LJZT， including 31 flavonoids， 15 terpenoids， 14 nitrogen-containing compounds， 6 phenylpropanoids， 6 organic acids and 7 other compounds. The established quantitative analytical method for the nine representative components showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges， and the precision， stability， reproducibility and recovery were in accordance with the requirements. The quantitative results showed that the contents of liquiritin， hesperidin， lobetyolin， liquiritigenin， glycyrrhizic acid， nobiletin， tangeretin， atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ in LJZT were 0.376 5， 2.602 1， 0.082 6， 0.128 1， 1.778 6， 0.015 7， 0.006 7， 0.030 4， 0.003 2 mg·g^-1， respectively. ConclusionThe established method can quickly， sensitively and accurately analyze the chemical constituents in LJZT， clarify that the material basis of LJZT is mainly flavonoids， terpenoids and nitrogen-containing compounds， and simultaneously determine the contents of the 9 components， which can lay a foundation for the research on quality control， mechanism and clinical application of LJZT.

Objective To investigate the effect of Danshen Baoxin Cha (DBC) on a rat model of coronary heart disease combined with cognitive impairment. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly assigned to two groups:normal group and model group. Streptozotocin was injected into the bilateral ventricles of rats in the model group to establish cognitive impairment model,then isoproterenol hydrochloride was injected subcutaneously to model myocardial ischemia. Behavioral experiments were conducted to verify the success of the model of cognitive dysfunction. The rats of the model group were randomly divided into five groups:model control group,Tongxinluo Capsule group (TXL group,1.6 g·kg-1),and low-(4 g·kg-1),medium-(8 g·kg-1),and high-(16 g·kg-1) dose DBC groups. These groups were received the respective treatments continuously for two weeks. Subsequently,the Y-maze,novel object recognition and Morris water maze experiment were employed to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. A kit was utilized to quantify the level of oxidative stress in the brain and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the brain and mitochondria. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to observe the pathological changes of neurons in hippocampus CA1 region. Electron microscopy was utilized to observe the pathological changes of mitochondria in hippocampal CA1 region. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),glucose transporter type 4(GLUT4),and optic atrophy 1(OPA1) were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR),and the expression of proteins related to the AMPK/OPA1 signaling pathway was determined by Western Blot analysis. Results Compared with the normal group,the spontaneous alternating reaction rate,the novel object recognition index,number of crossing the original platform,and distance ratio in the model group were obviously decreased (P<0.01). Neuronal density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was decreased,Nissl bodies were decreased,and nucleus consolidation was increased. The ATP level in mitochondria,and the levels of ATP,SOD,and GSH-PX in brain were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),as well as the content of ROS and MDA were significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The mitochondria of hippocampus in CA1 region were swollen,with sparse and vacuolated cristae. The mRNA expression levels of GLUT4,PGC-1α,and OPA1 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of GLUT4,SIRT1,PGC-1α and OPA1,and p-AMPK/AMPK ratio were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the behavioral indexes of rats in the DBC groups were significantly improved (P<0.05,P<0.01),the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area,Nissl bodies and nucleus consolidation were improved. The ATP level in mitochondria and the levels of ATP,SOD,and GSH-PX in brain were significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The levels of ROS and MDA were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The structure of mitochondrial cristae in hippocampal CA1 region were relatively intact. The mRNA expression levels of GLUT4,PGC-1α and OPA1 were increased (P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of proteins related to the AMPK/OPA1 signaling pathway was significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusion DBC can enhance learning and memory abilities,reduce neuronal damage in a rat model of coronary heart disease combined with cognitive impairment. The mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress damage in the brain,the activation of the AMPK/OPA1 signaling pathway,and the restoration of energy levels.

Objective To explore the mechanism of action of Danshen Baoxin Cha(DBC) on depressed mice with coronary heart disease (CHD) based on network pharmacology and NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. Methods (1) TCMSP and BATMAN-TICAM databases were used to screen the DBC active ingredients and targets. The targets of CHD with depression were screened using the OMIM and Genecards databases. The targets of DBC active ingredients and related targets of CHD with depression were imported into Venny 2.1 online platform to obtain the intersection targets,which was the potential target of DBC in the treatment of CHD with depression. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed on the intersection targets using the STRING platform to screen the key targets. A "drug-active ingredients-disease-targets" network was created to select the main active ingredients and core targets of DBC for the treatment of CHD with depression. Thereafter,the primary targets were examined by GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment using the Metascape database.(2)Kunming mice were split into six groups of eight mice each at random:the control group,the model group,the positive control group (metoprolol tartrate 5.14 mg·kg-1+sertraline hydrochloride 10.3 mg·kg-1),and the DBC high-,middle-,and low-dose groups (30.8,15.4 and 7.7 g·kg-1·d-1). Chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS)and subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO) were used to induce a mice model of CHD with depression. Mice were treated orally with the corresponding drug once a day for 18 consecutive days. Behavioral experiments involving forced swimming test,tail suspension test,and open-field test were applied to detect depression levels of mice. Histopathological alterations in hippocampus tissues were noted using HE and Nissl staining. qPCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL-6,TNF-α,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-10,and Caspase-1 in hippocampus tissues. Results(1) Sixty-five active components in Salvia and seven active components in green tea were screened out. A total of 1042 potential targets and 2116 CHD complicated with depression-related targets were obtained. The intersection of the targets of active components and disease-related targets was performed by Venny 2.1.0 platform to obtain 299 potential targets (common targets) of DBC in the treatment of CHD with depression. The core targets including IL-1β,AKT1,TNF-α,IL-6,VEGFA,CASP3 and IL-10 were screened through PPI network analysis of potential targets. Key active ingredients including vitamin B,luteolin,salvianolic acid,tanshinone ⅡA and catechin,as well as key targets,such as PTGS2、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α and IL-10,were obtained by network analysis of "drugs-active ingredients-disease-targets". The potential targets were correlated with biological processes such as inflammation response,regulation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF),glucocorticoid regulation,regulation of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) transcription factor,as well as major pathways including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,apoptosis signaling pathway,and NF-κB signaling pathway.(2) Compared with the control group,mice in the model group showed a significant decrease in the total and center distance of the open field (P<0.01) and a significant increase in the time of forced swimming and immobility time of tail suspension test (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of IL-6,TNF-α,NLRP3,IL-1β,and Caspase-1 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the hippocampus tissues,but IL-10 mRNA expression was down-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,the total and center distance in DBC high-,middle-,and low-dose groups were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the time of forced swimming and immobility time of tail suspension test were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of IL-6,TNF-α,NLRP3,IL-1β and Caspase-1 of the DBC high-,middle-,and low-dose groups were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01),IL-10 mRNA expression in mice hippocampus tissue of DBC high-and middle-dose groups was up-regulated (P<0.01). Conclusion The intervention effect of DBC on depressed mice with CHD may be achieved by active ingredients including luteolin,tanshinone,salvianolic acid and catechin acting on the key targets,such as IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10,to regulate the NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway.

Objective:To compare the effect and safety of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH)+double plasma molecular absorption (DPMA)+hemoperfusion (HP), CVVH+HP, and CVVH+plasma exchange (PE) in treatment of patient with severe wasp stings injury.Methods:Multicenter, historical cohort study and superiority test were used. From July 2020 to October 2022, patients with wasp sting injury and multiple organ damage admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) of five hospitals were consecutively screened and recruited into the CVVH+DPMA+HP group (intervention group). Propensity score matching was used to establish historical cohorts. Patients with severe wasp sting injury who hospitalized from January 2016 to June 2020 in each ICU were collected and matched 1∶1 with the intervention group, and divided into CVVH+HP group and CVVH+PE group according to their actual hemopurification protocols (historical control groups). The primary outcome was the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score on days 3 and 7 after initiation of treatment. Secondary outcomes included complications, length of ICU and hospital stays, and all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression was used to analyze the prognosis of patients.Results:After propensity score matching, 56 patients in intervention group and each of the two historical control groups were matched successfully. There were no significant differences in age, gender, comorbidities, biochemical test indices and critical illness scores among the groups. After treatment, APACHE Ⅱ score markedly declined in all groups, and the decrease was faster in the intervention group; treatment with DPMA [hazard ratio ( HR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.02-1.08, P = 0.00], the decreased levels of body temperature ( HR = 1.02, 95% CI was 1.00-1.03, P = 0.02), serum creatine kinase (CK; HR = 0.98, 95% CI was 0.96-1.00, P = 0.05) and myoglobin (MYO; HR = 2.88, 95% CI was 1.24-6.69, P = 0.01) were independent risk factors for APACHE Ⅱ score decline to the target value (15 scores). There were no significant differences in the incidence of bleeding complications, filter or perfusion thrombosis, blood pressure reduction, catheter-related infection and anaphylaxis among the groups. Conclusion:CVVH+DPMA+HP regimen can significantly reduce the APACHE Ⅱ score of patients with severe wasp sting injury, and the efficacy is superior to CVVH+HP and CVVH+PE regimens, with safety.

Objective: The objective of this study was to present the real-world patients’ portrait, and the results of niraparib treatment in China. Methods: This study included 142 patients treated with niraparib from 8 hospitals in China between December 2018 and September 2021. Patients’ characteristics were summarized. The efficacy and safety in first-line maintenance (1L-M), platinum-sensitive recurrence maintenance (PSR-M), and treatment for ovarian cancer were evaluated. Survival outcomes and the factors influencing progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated. Results: The 93 patients received Niraparib as 1L-M, 31 as PSR-M and 18 as salvage. BRCA status was wild type or unknown in 87.3% of patients. With a median follow-up time of 8.7 months, the median PFS (mPFS) for 1L-M has not yet been reached, and the mPFS for PSR-M and salvage therapy was 10.5 and 5.7 months, respectively. Responses to last chemotherapy and cancer antigen 125 value before taking niraparib were 2 important factors affecting PFS among 1L and PSR patients. The 12.7% (18/142) of patients experienced grade ≥3 hematologic adverse events and 23.2% experienced dose adjustment. It was noteworthy that when the interval of chemotherapy and niraparib <21 days, the incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events increased significantly (p=0.0355). Conclusion Generally, niraparib was effective and well tolerated, which was consistent with the results of prospective trials. However, in real world, it was more inclined to use niraparib in late-line treatment without genetic testing.

Objective To observe the changes of renal tubular injury and the extent of interstitial fibrosis in the C57BL/6 mouse models of chronic kidney disease(CKD),and provide experimental animal evidence for study of the pro-gression of acute kidney injury(AKI)to chronic kidney disease as well as its mechanisms. Methods Twenty-four 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly and equally divided into control group, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose cisplatin groups,6 mice in each group. Mice in the cisplatin groups were administrated with 5,7 or 10 mg/kg cispla-tin by intraperitoneal injection once a week for 4 weeks. Plasma creatinine and 24-hour urinary protein were detected to as-sess the renal function. The mice were sacrificed, and plasma and kidney samples were collected for subsequent tests. Pathological changes were observed using periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining. To evaluate renal tubules injury, the ex-pression of kidney injury molecule 1(KIM-1)was examined by immunohistochemistry and the level of urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase was detected with a commercial kit. The infiltration of CD3-positive T cells and F4/80-positive macro-phages was observed by immunohistochemistry(IHC)and immunofluorescence. The expression of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were tested by immunohistochemistry to assess the renal fibrosis, while total kidney collagen was detected by Picrosirius red staining. Results In contrast to the normal control group,the kidney injury became more seri-ous in the cisplatin-treated mice as cisplatin concentration increased. Particularly,significant kidney damage was observed in the high-dose cisplatin group. Compared with the control group,the plasma creatinine and 24-hour urinary protein were significantly increased in the high-dose cisplatin group(P<0.05 and P<0.001)indicating impaired renal function. Mor-phologically,numerous clear vacuoles and necrosis were present in renal tubule epithelial cells in the high-dose cisplatin group. The expression of KIM-1 was markedly up-regulated and the level of urinary NAG was elevated. Infiltration of CD3-positive T cells and F4/80-positive macrophages was enhanced in the mice of high-dose cisplatin group. Data from immuno-histochemistry and picrosirius red staining showed that mice of the high-dose cisplatin group developed renal fibrosis evi-denced by markedly up-regulated expression of collagen I and α-SMA. Conclusions Repeated administration of 10 mg /kg cisplatin for 4 weeks can induce chronic renal insufficiency in mice,which may serve as a novel model for the research on underlying mechanisms of progression from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease.

AIM To study the effects of No.1 Weiyan Decoction (Codonopsis Radix,Paeoniae Radix alba,Taraxaci Herba,etc.) on hypoxia and hypoxic tolerance in gastric mucosal epithelial cells in rats with precancerous lesion of gastric cancer (PLGC).METHODS Forty rats were randomly divided into normal,model,Vitacoenzyme Tablets and No.1 Weiyan Decoction groups.Except for the normal group,the rats in the other groups were given with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and Little Chengqi Decoction to establish a PLGC rat model.Ten weeks after the administration,the gastric mucosal epithelial microvascular ultrastructure was observed,the expressions of Hif1a mRNA,HIF-1 α protein and VEGF protein in gastric mucosal epithelium were detected.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the number of microvasculatures in gastric mucosal epithelium was decreased;lumen was severely stenosed or expansive;inner wall was not smooth and had adhesion;vascular endothelial cells were swollen;the expression of Hif1α mRNA showed an increasing trend;the expressions of HIF-1α protein and VEGF protein were anomalous in the model group.Compared with the model group,the gastric mucosal vascular lesion of PLGC rats was improved,and the expressions of Hif1a mRNA,HIF-1α protein and VEGF protein were significantly decreased in the No.1 Weiyan Decoction group.CONCLUSION No.1 Weiyan Decoction can improve hypoxia and hypoxia tolerance,and induce angiogenesis in gastric mucosal epithelium in PLGC rats.

The maintenance of the balance between oxygen supply and oxygen consumption is a key measure in preventing acute kidney hypoxic/reoxygenation injury. Morphine can inhibit metabolism and reduce the oxygen consumption. We tried to investigate the protective effects of morphine hypoxic preconditioning on acute kidney hypoxic/reoxygenation injury in rabbit and its influence on expression of caspase-3 protein. Kidney hypoxic and reoxygenation were induced by making the tested rabbits inhale 8% oxygen for three hours firstly, and then putting them in the air to breathe in normal oxygen for another three hours. Morphine hypoxic preconditioning was induced by administering morphine 3 mg/kg, and then hypoxic of 8% oxygen was induced. Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical method. In the present study, the expressions of caspase-3 protein were significantly higher in saline-control hypoxic group than in morphine hypoxic preconditioning group ((29.3+/-5.7)% vs. (12.16+1.23)%, P<0.05). These observations suggested that morphine hypoxic preconditioning can protect rabbit against acute kidney hypoxic/reoxygenation injury by decreasing expression of caspase-3 protein.
Animals ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Kidney ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To establish an orthotopic rat model of bladder cancer induced by N-methyl.nitrosourea (MNU)and to evaluate the diagnostic value of CT(computed tomography)scanning in this experimental model.Methods 50 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group(group A)with 15 rats and experimental group(group B)with 35 rats.Each rat of group B was treated with 2 mg MNU per dose every other week,totally 4 doses,by per urethra administration.Meanwhile,each rat of group A was treated with normal saline.Then,at the 14th week,all the rats were evaluated by CT scanning and pathological examination.Results Abnormal changes were detected in each of the 28 rats in group B by CT scanning,and manifested as local mass,thickening bladder wall accompanied with heterogeneous density.Bladder cancer was diagnosed by pathology.However,no bladder tumor was detected by CT scanning and pathologicalexamination in group A.Conclusion A rat model of orthotopic bladder cancer can be established by per urethra administration of MNU.CT scanning is a reliable diagnostic technique concerning this model.Furthermore,this technique can render US a more suitable rat model for further experimental studies on chemotherapy and radiotherapy of bladder Cancer.