Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible associations between physical function assessment scales, such as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), with all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. METHODS: A total of 108 ADHF patients were analyzed from October 2020 to October 2022, and followed up to May 2023. The association between baseline clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality was analyzed by univariate Cox regression analysis, while for SPPB and BBS, univariate Cox regression analysis was followed by receiver operating characteristic curves, in which the area under the curve represented their predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality. Incremental predictive values for both physical function assessments were measured by calculating net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement scores. Optimal cut-off value for BBS was then identified using restricted cubic spline plots, and survival differences below and above that cut-off were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The clinical utility of BBS was measured using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: For baseline characteristics, age, female, blood urea nitrogen, as well as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, were predictive for all-cause mortality for ADHF patients. With respect to SPPB and BBS, higher scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates for both assessments; similar area under the curves were measured for both (0.774 for SPPB and 0.776 for BBS). Furthermore, BBS ≤ 36.5 was associated with significantly higher mortality, which was still applicable even adjusting for confounding factors; BBS was also found to have great clinical utility under decision curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS BBS or SPPB could be used as tools to assess physical function in ageing ADHF patients, as well as prognosticate on all-cause mortality. Moreover, prioritizing the improvement of balance capabilities of ADHF patients in cardiac rehabilitation regimens could aid in lowering mortality risk.

R-spondin2 (Rspo2) is a member of protein family RSPOs, which can be coupled to receptor 4/5 (leucine-rich repeat-containing g protein-coupled receptor 4/5, LGR4/5), cell surface transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNRF3/RNF43 (zinc and ring finger 3/ring finger protein 43), heparan sulfate proteoglycan (heparan sulfate proteoglycans, HSPGs) and the IQ motif (IQ gap 1) containing GTP enzyme activating protein 1, regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is the most widely studied signaling pathway and directly related to basic bone biology. Any problem in this pathway may have an impact on bone regulation. In recent years, it has been found that Rspo2 can act on osteoblast, osteoclast and chondrocytes through Wnt/β-catenin, and take part in occureace and development of some bone diseases such as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), so the study of Rspo2 may become a new therapeutic direction for bone-related diseases. Based on the latest research progress, this paper reviews the structure and main functions of Rspo2, the mechanism of Rspo2 regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its influence on skeletal system, in order to provide new ideas and ways for the prevention and treatment of bone-related diseases.

Intestinal organoids are constructed by crypts or stem cells from the intestine under the 3D support of the culture matrix. They contain all mature cells of the intestine, and have become a new and efficient platform for studying the mechanism of intestinal diseases. Compared with 2D cell culture, organoids can not only more effectively simulate the physiological structure and function of the intestine, but also better restore the true ecology of the intestine in different external environments. Therefore, it is more widely used in the study of pathogenesis of different intestinal diseases. This article reviewed the new progress of intestinal organoids culture, and the application and progress of intestinal organoids in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer and celiac disease in recent years, and also discussed the application of intestinal organoids in drug research and development and screening.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of berberine(BBR)on mice with unilateral ureteral obstr-uction(UUO)and explore its mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham group,UUO group,and BBR treatment groups(50,100 and 200 mg·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.Except the sham group,the other groups were subjected to left ureteral ligation to establish the UUO model.Af-ter modeling,the mice in the sham and UUO groups were fed normal saline,and the mice in the BBR treat-ment groups were fed(50,100,200)mg·kg-1 BBR by gavage for 14 days,respectively.Biochemical analy-zer was employed to detect the levels of serum creati-nine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN).HE,Mas-son,TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tis-sue.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in renal tissue homogenate.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF in mouse kidney.Re-sults Compared with the UUO group,the levels of Scr and BUN in the BBR group were significantly reduced.Renal injury and interstitial fibrosis were alleviated.The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased in kidney.The expression of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF decreased.All results showed some degree of dose dependence.Conclusion Berberine has a sig-nificant protective effect on unilateral ureteral obstruc-tion mice,and the mechanism may be that BBR has the potential to inhibit NF-κB p65/TGF-β1/CTGF signa-ling pathway,thus reducing renal inflammation and fi-brosis.

To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction on diabetic nephropathy(DN) mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome based on the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)/IκB kinase(IKK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway. Ninety-five 7-week-old db/db male mice and 25 7-week-old db/m male mice were fed adaptively for one week. The DN model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was induced by Dahuang Decoction combined with hydrocortisone by gavage, and then the model was evaluated. After modeling, they were randomly divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups(33.8, 16.9, and 8.45 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and an irbesartan group(25 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with at least 15 animals in each group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks. After the intervention, body weight and food intake were measured. Serum crea-tinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), fasting blood glucose(FBG), urinary albumin(uALb), and urine creatinine(Ucr) were determined. The uALb/Ucr ratio(ACR) and 24 h urinary protein(UTP) were calculated. Renal pathological morphology was evaluated by HE staining and Masson staining. The levels of key molecular proteins in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway were detected by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased content of BUN, uALb, and SCr, increased values of 24 h UTP and ACR, decreased content of Ucr(P<0.05), enlarged glomeruli, thickened basement membrane, mesangial matrix proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition. The protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, phosphorylated IKK(p-IKK), phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB), and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB(p-IκB) increased(P<0.05), while the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB) decreased(P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased(P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the groups with drug treatment showed decreased levels of BUN, uALb, SCr, 24 h UTP, and ACR, increased level of Ucr(P<0.05), and improved renal pathological status to varying degrees. The high-and medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups and the irbesartan group showed reduced protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, p-IKK, p-NF-κB, and p-IκB in the kidneys(P<0.05), increased protein expression of IκB(P<0.05), decreased levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and increased level of IL-10(P<0.05). Zhenwu Decoction can significantly improve renal function and renal pathological damage in DN mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory response by down-regulating the expression of key molecules in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway in the kidney.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukin-10 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; I-kappa B Kinase ; Spleen ; Irbesartan ; Uridine Triphosphate ; Yang Deficiency/drug therapy* ; Kidney/pathology*

Radiation enteritis (RE) is a common syndrome in the radiotherapy of abdominal and pelvic malignant tumors, heavy influencing living quality, but no specific clinical regimens are available. Long oil (LO) is composed of the fat components from cuttlebone, safflower, walnut oil and rapeseed oil and has been clinically used for wound healing. In this study, oral LO was applied for the prevention and treatment of RE and the mechanisms were explored. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, and the experiments were conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. An RE mouse model was established after single whole abdominal γ-ray radiation of 13 Gy. LO (8 mL·kg^-1) was intragastrically administered to the mice 1 h pre-radiation. Compared to the models, the mice of the LO group had more regenerated intestinal crypts and longer villus on day 3.5, and remarkable increase in the abundance of gut microbiota on day 7, especially the amounts of probiotics including Eubacterium and Lactobacillus. Moreover, the mice of the LO group showed longer total movement distance, shorter immobility time, and higher speed than the model mice on day 7. On day 14, the mice of the LO group showed the high descending of proinflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, close to the normal levels. Therefore, oral LO can alleviate the inflamed syndromes of RE and improve the repair of damaged intestinal tissues. Moreover, the mice of the LO group had highly low permeability of intestinal mucosa according to the fluorescence labeling experiment, which was close to the normal level. Oral LO can protect intestine mucosa and prevent RE by modification of the intestinal microenvironment, alleviation of the inflammatory response, and promotion of tissue repair.

Alveolar echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by an infection with Echinococcosis multilocularis.The liver is the primary organ of alveolar echinococcosis.Alveolar echinococcosis is usually characterized by invasive growth and consequently iscalled"parasitic cancer."Resection of radical lesions is a preferred and effective treatment for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.End-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis often occurs with parasiticcirrhosis,such as secondary biliary cirrhosis,congestive liver cirrhosis or Budd-Chiari syndrome.Few studies have examined hepatic multilocular echinococcosis leading to cirrhosis.This article reviews the aspects of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis involving the invasion of important blood vessels and bile ducts,thereby leading to secondary biliary cirrhosis and congestive liver cirrhosis caused by hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Aim To discuss the mechanism of Lurong Dabu Decoction on cough variant asthma. Methods Guinea pigs were divided into normal group(CON), model group(OVA), Lurong Dabu Decoction high-dose group(HIGH),low-dose group(LOW), and dexamethasone group(DEX)at random. The CVA model was established by smoking plus injection of OVA, aluminum hydroxide solution and nebulized inhalation to stimulate cough. Gguinea pigs were dissected 24 hours after the last challenge to obtain alveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and lung tissues. Immunoadsorption(ELISA)method was applied to detect the types of inflammatory cells and the content of inflammatory cytokines in BALF; HE and Masson staining of the middle lobe of the left lung were used to observe the pathological changes in lung tissues; immunohistochemical staining was used to observe TLR4 and WNT-5A protein expression and distribution of lung tissues; the protein extracted from the upper lobe of the left lung was used to measure the level of TLR4 and WNT-5A protein in lung tissues by Western blot; immunofluorescence was employed to measure the fluorescence intensity of TLR4 and WNT-5A in lung tissues; flow cytometry was used to detect IL-4 and IFN-γ in guinea pig lung tissues. Results Lurong Dabu Decoction could improve guinea pig airway inflammation, inhibit collagen fiber deposition, reduce the content of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF, and inhibit the protein expression of TLR4 and WNT-5A in lung tissues and increase IFN-γ levels in lung tissues while decreasing IL-4 levels. Conclusion Lurong Dabu Decoction may inhibit the occurrence of CVA through TLR4/WNT-5A signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Qingfei Jiangmai decoction （QJD） on the content of mercapturic acids in urine in healthy people amid PM_2.5 （particles 2.5 microns or less in size） pollution. MethodA total of 84 healthy students of 18-30 years old in Beijing were recruited and they were randomized into the test group （42 in total， with 1 dropout） and control group （42 in total， with 3 dropouts）. During the pollution， the test group and the control group respectively took QJD granules and placebo for 7 days （1 bag/time， 2 times/day）， and another 7-day intervention with the same drugs was performed at an interval of 4 weeks. The time-activity patterns were recorded during the intervention. On-line solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry （SPE-LC-MS/MS） was performed to detect the content of PM_2.5-related metabolites S-phenylmercapturic acid （SPMA）， 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid （3-HPMA）， 3-hydroxy-1-methylpropylmercapturic acid （HMPMA）， N-acetyl-S-（2-nitrile ethyl）-L-cysteine （CEMA）， and N-acetyl-S-（2-hydroxy ethyl）-L-cysteine （HEMA） in urine before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was followed. ResultThe content of CEMA， HEMA， 3-HPMA， and HMPMA in the test group was all higher after the intervention than before the intervention， with the significant difference in HEMA （P<0.05）. After intervention， content of HEMA and SPMA was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group （P<0.05）， and the difference in HEMA （Z=-3.614， P<0.01） and HMPMA （Z=-1.988， P<0.05） before and after invention in the test group was significantly larger than that in the control group. After the intervention， HEMA in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group （F=7.597， P<0.01）. ConclusionDuring PM_2.5 pollution， QJD can increase the excretion of HEMA， a metabolite of ethylene oxide， in the urine of healthy people in Beijing， and enhance the detoxification process of toxic components in PM_2.5， which is of great value in preventing and treating haze-related illnesses.