1.Targeting farnesoid X receptor as aging intervention therapy.
Lijun ZHANG ; Jing YU ; Xiaoyan GAO ; Yingxuan YAN ; Xinyi WANG ; Hang SHI ; Minglv FANG ; Ying LIU ; Young-Bum KIM ; Huanhu ZHU ; Xiaojun WU ; Cheng HUANG ; Shengjie FAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1359-1382
Environmental toxicants have been linked to aging and age-related diseases. The emerging evidence has shown that the enhancement of detoxification gene expression is a common transcriptome marker of long-lived mice, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans. Meanwhile, the resistance to toxicants was increased in long-lived animals. Here, we show that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA), a marketed drug for the treatment of cholestasis, may extend the lifespan and healthspan both in C. elegans and chemical-induced early senescent mice. Furthermore, OCA increased the resistance of worms to toxicants and activated the expression of detoxification genes in both mice and C. elegans. The longevity effects of OCA were attenuated in Fxr -/- mice and Fxr homologous nhr-8 and daf-12 mutant C. elegans. In addition, metabolome analysis revealed that OCA increased the endogenous agonist levels of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a major nuclear receptor for detoxification regulation, in the liver of mice. Together, our findings suggest that OCA has the potential to lengthen lifespan and healthspan by activating nuclear receptor-mediated detoxification functions, thus, targeting FXR may offer to promote longevity.
2.RXRα modulates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by targeting CaMKKβ-AMPKα axis.
Lijun CAI ; Meimei YIN ; Shuangzhou PENG ; Fen LIN ; Liangliang LAI ; Xindao ZHANG ; Lei XIE ; Chuanying WANG ; Huiying ZHOU ; Yunfeng ZHAN ; Gulimiran ALITONGBIEKE ; Baohuan LIAN ; Zhibin SU ; Tenghui LIU ; Yuqi ZHOU ; Zongxi LI ; Xiaohui CHEN ; Qi ZHAO ; Ting DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Jingwei SU ; Luoyan SHENG ; Ying SU ; Ling-Juan ZHANG ; Fu-Quan JIANG ; Xiao-Kun ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3611-3631
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl4 and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.
3.The Role of APOE in Drug Resistance of Colon Cancer Based on Bioinformatics and Cell Experiments
Ruo SHU ; Huayou LUO ; Lijun SONG ; Yu GAO ; Yan HOU ; Xinfeng ZHANG ; Ying LI
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(9):15-22
Objective To evaluate the role and potential mechanism of apolipoprotein E(APOE)in drug resistance of colon cancer by bioinformatic tools and cellular experiments.Methods After downloading the microarray dataset GSE196900 from the GEO database,the online tool GEO2R was used to identify genes that were expressed differently in the drug-resistant and control groups.The differently expressed genes were then examined for Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment.The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to build protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks and find hub genes.Hub genes'predictive significance in colon cancer was further assessed.Western blod and qRT-PCR were used to identify changes in APOE expression,whereas Transwell was used to identify changes in the colon cancer cells'capacity for invasion and migration.Results The analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment revealed that the differential genes derived from the GSE196900 dataset were primarily focused on receptor-ligand activity and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways.Using the CytoNCA plug-in in Cytoscape software,ten hub genes were obtained through PPI construction.Of these,the prognosis of the patients with colon cancer was negatively correlated with the expression of the APOE gene(P<0.05)and the overexpression of the APOE gene might significantly increase the migration and nvasivenessability of colon cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion The increased expression of APOE significantly promotes the migration and invasion ability of colon cancer cells,which may be one of the mechanisms by which APOE gene promotes tumor progression in the patients with colon cancer.
4.Efficacy of oral testosterone undecanoate in children with androgen insensitivity syndrome
Ying LIU ; Lele LI ; Zheng YUAN ; Xinmeng WANG ; Xiaoling WANG ; Lijun FAN ; Chunxiu GONG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(8):758-763
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of oral testosterone therapy in individuals diagnosed with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS).Methods:A self-controlled study design was utilized, focusing on individuals with AIS who were genetically diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, and Metabolism of Beijing Children′s Hospital between 2009 and 2021. These patients underwent treatment involving the administration of testosterone. The primary observed indexes include the measurement of penis length, which should meet the minimal surgical standard (penis length≥2.5 cm) or greater than or equal to -2.5 s (lower limit of normal). Secondary observed indexes include penile length standard deviation score (PL-SDS), an increase in penis longitude (ΔPL), medication dosage, the course of therapy, and safety indicators, among others. There were 4 courses of treatment. After each course, patients were evaluated to determine whether termination of treatment was appropriate. Patients who exhibited inadequate post-treatment penile length growth were advised to continue with further treatment. The statistical methodology included t-test, and a Wilcoxon rank sum test to describe efficacy and safety. The patients were followed up until 2023. Results:The study comprised a total of 51 individuals with AIS, comprising 33 males and 18 females (gender of registered permanent residence). Among these patients, 10 were diagnosed with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and 41 were diagnosed with partial androgen insensitive syndrome (PAIS). There were 2 children with CAIS were diagnosed by doctors and prescribed testosterone undecanoate, but the children did not really take medicine.The penile length of CAIS patients could not be measured (penile length<0.5 cm) before and after treatment. For PAIS patients, baseline penile length and PL-SDS were (2.3±0.6) cm and -3.7±1.3, respectively. The measurements for penile length and PL-SDS after each treatment course were recorded as follows: (2.7±0.8), (2.8±0.6), (2.6±0.4), (2.6±0.4) cm and -2.8±1.6, 2.5±1.6, 2.9±1.2, -3.2±0.9, respectively. Both penile length and PL-SDS interventions showed statistically significant gains when compared to the baseline performance of the 4 courses ( t=4.05、3.56、2.55、2.23 and 3.88、3.50、2.50、2.19, all P<0.05). Before treatment, 13 PAIS patients (32%) reached 2.5 cm and seven (17%) reached greater than or equal to -2.5 s. Following the initial, subsequent, third, and fourth therapeutic interventions, 18 cases (44%), 24 cases (59%), 25 cases (61%), and 26 cases (63%) reached 2.5 cm, respectively. Additionally, A total of 12 cases (29%), 15 cases (37%), 20 cases (49%), and 21 cases (51%), respectively, were found to reach greater than or equal to -2.5 s. The study involved the longitudinal monitoring of patients with the highest recorded age being 13.7 years. The weight, height, body mass index, bone age/age, cholesterol, hemoglobin and so on were all within the normal range and the difference were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). All 49 patients were no abnormalities in blood electrolyte, liver and kidney function and thyroid function and no changes in precocious puberty, pubic hair growth, aggressive behavior, vulvar skin darkening, diarrhea or other conditions. Conclusions:Testosterone undecanote in children with CAIS was no effective. The initial course of treatment for patients with PAIS demonstrates observable enhancements in penile length and PL-SDS. For patients with inadequate penile length growth, continued treatment in subsequent courses (such as the second, third, and fourth courses) is recommended toenhance outcomes gradually. Testosterone undecanoate was safe and effective for the majority of individuals with PAIS patients, with few adverse effects and good treatment tolerance.
5.Clinical analysis of children with anomalous origin of coronary artery over ten years in a single center
Jieliang LIN ; Meng ZHANG ; Fen LI ; Lijun FU ; Wei GAO ; Tingliang LIU ; Ying GUO ; Yumin ZHONG ; Jie SHEN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(10):757-760
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of different types of anomalous origin of the coronary artery.Methods:A case-series study was conducted.Based on the clinical data of children diagnosed with anomalous origin of the coronary artery at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2013 to January 2023, the diseases of different types of anomalous origin of the coronary artery were summarized.Results:A total of 177 children with anomalous origin of the coronary artery were treated.Among them, 122 children developed the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), including 54 males and 68 females, with a median age of 1.2 years; 6 children developed the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA), including 3 males and 3 females, with a median age of 4.3 years; 9 children developed the anomalous left coronary artery from the right coronary sinus (ALCA), including 6 males and 3 females, with a median age of 9.5 years; 40 children developed the anomalous right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus (ARCA), including 24 males and 16 females, with a median age of 7.7 years.Most children diagnosed with ALCAPA had onset within 1 year of age, with chronic heart failure as the main manifestation, and young children were often accompanied by severe mitral regurgitation.A total of 111 children underwent surgery, and 11 children died.Six children with ARCAPA had no obvious clinical symptoms and were treated by operation according to the principle of double coronary circulation after diagnosis.Nine children with ALCA started with syncope, chest pain or abdominal pain after exercise.Eight of the children underwent surgical treatment, including 1 who received a heart transplant.Of the 40 children with ARCA, 23 children had clinical manifestations, with chest tightness, syncope, and chest pain after exercise as chief complaints; 16 children were tested positive for treadmill exercise before surgery; and a total of 13 children received surgical treatment.Conclusions:Different types of anomalous origin of the coronary artery vary in severity.The clinical manifestations of the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery are generally serious, and most of such patients have the risk of cardiac insufficiency or sudden death.Once diagnosed, surgical treatment should be performed timely.The clinical manifestations of the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery are relatively mild, and only a few may have serious consequences, which are usually treated according to the principle of individualization or double coronary circulation.
6.Research progress of home self-management in patients with diabetic foot ulcers
Qian LIU ; Junhong AN ; Qin REN ; Ying ZHANG ; Lijun LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(11):1407-1413
This paper reviews the concepts, status, influencing factors and interventions of home self-management of diabetic foot ulcers patients, with a view to providing reference for establishing and improving the home self-management model of diabetic foot ulcers patients suitable for China.
7.Research progress on the application of Triangle chronic disease stratified management model in transitional care for patients with chronic diseases
Qin REN ; Junhong AN ; Qian LIU ; Ying ZHANG ; Yinting XIA ; Lijun LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(17):2363-2368
Triangle chronic disease stratified management model, as an effective chronic disease management model, can divide patients into different levels according to the stratified disease assessment criteria, enhance intervention effectiveness, improve management efficiency, and reduce costs by implementing targeted and personalized nursing measures. This article summarizes the overview of the Triangle chronic disease stratified management model, research progress at home and abroad, and the current application status in transitional care for chronic disease patients in order to provide a reference for medical staff to carry out transitional care for chronic disease patients.
8.The therapeutic effect of cognitive behavioral therapy combined with family intervention on obsessive-compulsive disorder
Ying CHEN ; Xiaowei NIE ; Lijun DING
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(6):494-499
Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with family intervention on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Method:A total of 28 patients with OCD who visited the outpatient department of Xiamen Xianyue Hospital from June 2021 to June 2022 were randomly divided into intervention group( n=13)and control group( n=15).Patients in the intervention group and the control group were both received routine drug treatment. On this basis, the patients in intervention group received the treatment of CBT combined with family intervention, while the patients in control group only received CBT treatment.The participants were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. The Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) was used to evaluate the severity of symptoms, and the Sheehan disability scale (SDS) was used to assess their function impairment in patients.The family accommodation scale for OCD interviewer-rated (FAS-IR) was employed to assess family members' family accommodation behavior. Changes in scores on the Y-BOCS scale, SDS scale, and FAS-IR scale scores at each observation time point were used as outcome indicators. The t-test, χ2-test and repeated measure ANOVA were used for statistical analysis by SPSS 25.0 software. Results:(1)The interaction effect of Y-BOCS score between time and group before and after intervention was significant ( F=4.748, P<0.05). The results of the simple effects test showed that the Y-BOCS score of the intervention group at 1 month after the intervention(20.63±5.23)was lower than that of the baseline(27.23±5.12)and post-intervention(24.85±5.94)(both P<0.05). The Y-BOCS score of the intervention group at 3 months after the intervention (16.85±4.62)was lower than that of the baseline, post-intervention, and 1 month after the intervention (all P<0.05). The Y-BOCS score of the control group at 3 months after the intervention(20.93±7.51) was lower than that of the baseline(25.93±4.68)and post-intervention(25.53±6.57)(both P<0.05).(2)The interaction effect of SDS score between time and group before and after intervention was significant ( F=54.88, P<0.01). The results of the simple effects test showed that the SDS score of the intervention group at post-intervention was lower than that of the baseline( P<0.05).The SDS score at 1 month after the intervention was lower than that of the baseline and post-intervention (both P<0.05). The SDS score of the intervention group at 3 months after the intervention was lower than that of the baseline, post-intervention, and 1 month after the intervention (all P<0.05). At 3 months after the intervention, the SDS score of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05).(3)The interaction effect of FAS-IR score between time and group before and after intervention was significant ( F=20.285, P<0.01). The results of the simple effects test showed that post-intervention, the FAS-IR score of the intervention group was lower than that of the baseline( P<0.05).The SDS score at 1 month after the intervention was lower than the baseline and post-intervention (both P<0.05). The FAS-IR score of the intervention group at 3 months after the intervention was lower than that of the baseline, post-intervention, and 1 month after the intervention (all P<0.05). At 3 months after the intervention, the FAS-IR score of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The CBT combined with family intervention can improve the treatment outcome of OCD, patients' functional impairment, and reduce the occurrence of family accommodation behavior, which providing a basis for family intervention in OCD.
9.Effects of continuous blood purification on mitochondrial function of mononuclear cells and prognosis of patients with traumatic sepsis
Zhixin LI ; Tie LYU ; Liezhou JIN ; Lyujian CHEN ; Xiaolong XI ; Lijun YING
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(11):1008-1015
Objective:To investigate the effects of continuous blood purification (CBP) on mitochondrial function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and clinical prognosis of patients with traumatic sepsis.Methods:A prospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 90 patients with traumatic sepsis admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Shaoxing People′s Hospital from January 2023 to June 2024. Based on standard operating procedures (SOP), patients were divided into CBP group and non-CBP group according to whether they received CBP treatment. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex V, levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the mononuclear cells on ICU admission and at 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment were compared between the two groups. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on ICU admission and at 48 hours after treatment were detected in the two groups. The length of ICU stay, total length of hospital stay and 28-day mortality after ICU admission were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 90 patients with traumatic sepsis were included, comprising 56 males and 34 females, aged 18-82 years [51.3(38.7, 70.6)years], with injury severity score (ISS) of 16-54 points [36.2(17.0, 53.6)points]. There were 52 patients in the CBP group and 38 in the non-CBP group. All the patients were followed up for 7-14 days [10.0(8.0, 12.0)days]. On ICU admission, the mtDNA copy number was 638.5±124.0 in the CBP group and 634.7±122.1 in the non-CBP group ( P>0.05). At 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment, the mtDNA copy number in the CBP group was 564.2±105.6, 415.7±83.5 and 303.7±77.0 respectively, significantly lower than 622.9±120.2, 581.5±113.6, 530.7±97.8 in the non-CBP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). At 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment, the mtDNA copy number in both groups continued to decrease compared with that on ICU admission ( P<0.05). On ICU admission, the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅴ was (74.0±26.0)pg/ml in the CBP group and (72.8±25.3)pg/ml in the non-CBP group ( P>0.05); at 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment, it was (69.4±24.2)pg/ml, (78.3±26.8)pg/ml and (91.5±33.5)pg/ml respectively in the CBP group, significantly higher than (65.3±23.6)pg/ml, (60.7±19.4)pg/ml and (53.8±16.9)pg/ml in the non-CBP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01); at 12 hours after treatment, it was decreased in both groups compared with that on ICU admission ( P<0.05); at 24 and 48 hours after treatment, it was gradually increased in the CBP group compared with those on ICU admission and at 12 hours after treatment ( P<0.05), while in the non-CBP group, it continued to decrease ( P<0.05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 on ICU admission were (51.6±17.1)pg/ml, (174.1±57.3)pg/ml and (67.6±16.2)pg/ml respectively in the CBP group and (49.5±16.7)pg/ml, (177.8±58.7)pg/ml and (65.7±16.6)pg/ml respectively in the non-CBP group ( P>0.05). At 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment, the levels of TNF-α in the CBP group were (43.6±15.6)pg/ml, (29.4±12.5)pg/ml and (26.2±10.6)pg/ml respectively, the IL-6 levels were (122.4±41.7)pg/ml, (90.6±33.1)pg/ml, (75.6±24.7)pg/ml respectively and the IL-10 levels were (72.6±18.1)pg/ml, (80.7±20.6)pg/ml, (86.2±22.9)pg/ml respectively, which were significantly lower than (48.8±16.2)pg/ml, (46.5±15.5)pg/ml, (40.0±14.2)pg/ml at 12 hours after treatment, (168.4±51.6)pg/ml, (131.5±42.7)pg/ml, (112.7±35.8)pg/ml at 24 hours after treatment, and (78.6±19.3)pg/ml, (91.1±23.8)pg/ml, (99.4±26.6)pg/ml at 48 hours after treatment in the non-CBP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). At 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in both groups continued to decrease, while the levels of IL-10 continued to increase compared with those on ICU admission ( P<0.05). On ICU admission, the APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores were (20.6±10.5)points and (6.2±1.9)points in the CBP group and (21.2±11.2)points and (6.7±2.1)points in the non-CBP group ( P>0.05). At 48 hours after treatment, the APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores were (13.5±6.6)points and (2.7±0.6)points in the CBP group, which were significantly lower than (18.3±9.3)points and (5.3±1.5)points in the non-CBP group ( P<0.01). At 48 hours after treatment, the APACHE II and SOFA scores in both groups were significantly decreased compared with those on ICU admission ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The length of ICU stay, total length of hospital stay and 28-day mortality after ICU admission were (13.0±5.7)days, (20.4±8.6)days and 19.2% (10/52) respectively, which were significantly shorter and smaller than (17.6±6.6)days, (26.5±9.4)days and 31.6% (12/38) in the non-CBP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions:CBP treatment may reduce the release of mtDNA by alleviating the mitochondrial damage of the mononuclear cells in patients with traumatic sepsis so that the release of inflammatory factors and cellular apoptosis is reduced, and improve the state of cell energy metabolism and cellular immune function by increasing the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex V in the mononuclear cells, and participate in the reconstruction of immune homeostasis of the body so the inflammatory state and clinical prognosis of the patients are improved.
10.Effects of astragaloside IV on acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level spinal cord injury
Qinfeng HUANG ; Ying ZHENG ; Liqin WEI ; Ye LIAO ; Jiaqi LI ; Lijun LIN ; Jiaxin CHEN ; Rujie ZHENG ; Wenna LIN ; Hui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(11):1028-1039
Objective:To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:Twenty-four healthy male SD rats, aged 8-10 weeks with a body weight of 250-300 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: sham operation group, high-level SCI group (SCI group), high-level SCI+AS-IV group (SCI+AS-IV group) and high-level SCI+AS-IV+silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor EX527 group (SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group), with 6 rats in each group. The SCI model was established using the modified Allen method and the sham operation group underwent the spinal cord exposure only. In the SCI+AS-IV group, 40 mg/kg of AS-IV was injected intraperitoneally immediately after injury. SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group received an intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg EX527 at one hour before injury and another injection of 40 mg/kg AS-IV in the same way immediately after injury. The sham operation group and the SCI group received an equal volume of saline via intraperitoneal injection. Immediately after awakening from injury, the hind limb motor function of the rats in each group was observed, recorded and then evaluated using the BBB method. At 24 hours after injury, the ultrastructure of the cardiomyocytes was examined under a transmission electron microscope; the levels of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), myocardial tissue inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β were quantified by the ELISA method; the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of the myocardial tissue was assessed utilizing the dihydroethidium (DHE) assay; biochemical analyses were employed to determine the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations; mRNA and protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD), SIRT1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) were examined using RT-PCR and Western blot; cardiomyocyte pyroptosis rate was evaluated by caspase-1 and TUNEL double-labeled fluorescence staining.Results:Immediately after awakening from injury, the sham operation group exhibited normal hind limb activity, with BBB scores of 21(21, 21)points, while the remaining groups displayed flaccid paralysis in both hind limbs, accompanied by the cessation of spontaneous excretion, with BBB scores of 0(0, 0)points. At 24 hours after injury, transmission electron microscopy did not reveal any significant abnormalities in the ultrastructure of the myocardiomyocytes in the sham operation group, while changes of varying degrees were observed in the SCI group. The ELISA results indicated that at 24 hours after injury, the serum cTnI level in the SCI group was (1 435.3±148.1)pg/ml, higher than (619.6±95.4)pg/ml in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the cTnI level was (1 154.0±80.0)pg/ml in the SCI+AS-IV group, lower than that in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the cTnI level was (1 321.8±50.2)pg/ml in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group, higher than that in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05). The levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in the myocardial tissue in the SCI group were (493.0±145.0)pg/ml and (936.7±93.2)pg/ml, higher than (131.1±62.5)pg/ml and (281.7±83.6)pg/ml in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in the SCI+AS-IV group were (182.4±45.6)pg/ml and (573.4±99.5)pg/ml, lower than those in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group were (337.4±72.0)pg/ml and (742.6±82.7)pg/ml, higher than those in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05), yet lower than those in the SCI group ( P<0.01). At 24 hours after injury, DHE and biochemical assays showed that the levels of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue in the SCI group were (65±6)% and (1.97±0.27)nmol/mg, higher than (19±10)% and (1.03±0.16)nmol/mg in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the ROS and MDA levels in the SCI+AS-IV group were (37±10)% and (1.39±0.11)nmol/mg, lower than those in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the ROS and MDA levels in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group were (52±7)% and (1.70±0.14)nmol/mg, higher than those in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05). The SOD level in the myocardial tissue of the SCI group was (658.48±77.56)U/mg, lower than (1 059.55±71.91)U/mg in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the SOD level in the SCI+AS-IV group was (901.74±32.30)U/mg, higher than that in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the SOD level in the myocardial tissue in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group was (799.86±26.70)U/mg, lower than that in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05). At 24 hours after injury, RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the myocardial tissue of the SCI group were 2.07±0.25, 2.46±0.28 and 1.82±0.12 respectively, which were higher than 1.10±0.13, 0.95±0.17 and 1.03±0.08 in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the SCI+AS-IV group were 1.47±0.24, 1.51±0.16 and 1.42±0.13 respectively, which were lower than those in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group were 1.93±0.28, 1.97±0.31 and 1.65±0.16 respectively, which were higher than those in the SCI+AS-IV group, yet lower than those in the SCI group ( P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue in the SCI group were 0.41±0.09 and 0.56±0.07, lower than 1.20±0.14 and 1.29±0.20 in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the mRNA expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue in the SCI+AS-IV group were 0.78±0.08 and 1.01±0.19, higher than those of the SCI group ( P<0.01); the mRNA expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue of the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group were 0.53±0.12 and 0.72±0.22, lower than those of the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05). At 24 hours after injury, the western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the myocardial tissue in the SCI group were 1.00±0.20, 0.60±0.19 and 0.77±0.15 respectively, which were higher than 0.27±0.09, 0.18±0.10 and 0.28±0.08 in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the SCI+AS-IV group were 0.59±0.10, 0.25±0.11 and 0.33±0.11 respectively, lower than those in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the myocardial tissue in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group were 0.85±0.15, 0.54±0.12 and 0.55±0.13 respectively, higher than those in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05). The protein expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue in the SCI group were 0.44±0.16 and 0.28±0.10, lower than 0.93±0.22 and 0.75±0.16 in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the protein expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue in the SCI+AS-IV group were 0.78±0.19 and 0.55±0.12, higher than those in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the protein expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group were 0.46±0.16 and 0.35±0.07, lower than those in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.05). At 24 hours after injury, caspase-1 and TUNEL double-labeled fluorescence staining showed that the cardiomyocyte pyroptosis rate in the SCI group was (34.5±6.7)%, higher than (5.3±2.9)% in the sham operation group ( P<0.01); the cardiomyocyte pyroptosis rate in the SCI+AS-IV group was (13.4±3.0)%, lower than that in the SCI group ( P<0.01); the cardiomyocyte pyroptosis rate in the SCI+AS-IV+EX527 group was (22.5±5.9)%, higher than that in the SCI+AS-IV group ( P<0.01), yet lower than that in the SCI group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:AS-IV can significantly reduce acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level SCI. Its mechanism may involve activating the myocardial SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, protecting the mitochondria, enhancing the ability to resist oxidative stress, and effectively inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis pathway.

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