The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is crucial for regulating blood pressure and maintaining fluid balance, while clock genes are essential for sustaining biological rhythms and regulating metabolism. There exists a complex interplay between RAAS and clock genes that may significantly contribute to the development of various cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Although current literature has identified correlations between these two systems, the specific mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. Moreover, the interaction patterns under different physiological and pathological conditions need further investigation. This review summarizes the synergistic roles of the RAAS and clock genes in cardiovascular diseases, explores their molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological connections, discusses the application of chronotherapy, and highlights potential future research directions, aiming to provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.
Humans ; Renin-Angiotensin System/genetics* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics* ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Animals

This study aimed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Colquhounia Root Tablets(CRT) in treating diabetic kidney disease(DKD) by integrating biomolecular network mining with animal model verification. By analyzing clinical transcriptomics data, an interaction network was constructed between candidate targets of CRT and DKD-related genes. Based on the topological eigenvalues of network nodes, 101 core network targets of CRT against DKD were identified. These targets were found to be closely related to multiple pathways associated with type 2 diabetes, immune response, and metabolic reprogramming. Given that immune-inflammatory imbalance driven by metabolic reprogramming is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of DKD, and that many core network targets of CRT are involved in this pathological process, receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) signaling axis was selected as a candidate target for in-depth research. Further, a rat model of DKD induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet and streptozotocin was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CRT and verify the expression of related targets. The experimental results showed that CRT could effectively correct metabolic disturbances in DKD, restore immune-inflammatory balance, and improve renal function and its pathological changes by inhibiting the activation of the RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. In conclusion, this study reveals that CRT alleviates the progression of DKD through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and immune-inflammatory responses, providing strong experimental evidence for its clinical application in DKD.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products/genetics* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Humans ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tablets/administration & dosage*

This paper primarily investigated the protective effects and potential mechanisms of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in alleviating isoprenaline(ISO)-induced hypertrophy and damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Initially, H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used as the research subject to analyze the effects of ISO at different concentrations on cell hypertrophy and damage. On this basis, the H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into blank, model, and high-dose(200 μg·mL~(-1)), medium-dose(100 μg·mL~(-1)), and low-dose(50 μg·mL~(-1)) groups of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. Cell hypertrophy and damage models were induced by treating cells with 400 μmol·L~(-1) ISO for 24 hours. The Incucyte live-cell analysis system was utilized to observe the status, size changes, and confluence of the cells in each group. Cell viability was detected by using the CCK-8 assay. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of Ras-associated protein 7A(RAB7A), sequestosome 1(SQSTM1/p62), autophagy-related protein Beclin1, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3). Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression level of the autophagy marker Beclin1 in H9c2 cells. The results demonstrated that compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant reduction in cell viability(P<0.01) and a marked increase in cell hypertrophy, with an average cell length growth of 13.53%. Compared with the model group, the high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma exhibited reduced hypertrophy, with respective growths of 6.89%, 8.30%, and 8.49% and a significant decrease in growth rates(P<0.01). Cell viability in the high-dose of total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was also significantly increased(P<0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that compared with the blank group, the model group showed changes in Beclin1, RAB7A, and p62 expression, as well as the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, although most changes were not statistically significant. In the groups treated with total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and RAB7A and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio were significantly increased(P<0.05), while p62 expression significantly decreased(P<0.05). These findings collectively suggested that pretreatment of cells with total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma significantly enhanced autophagy activity in cells. In summary, total saponins from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma inhibit ISO-induced hypertrophy and damage in H9c2 cells by promoting autophagy, demonstrating potential cardioprotective effects and providing new insights and scientific evidence for their preventive and therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases.
Autophagy/drug effects* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Panax notoginseng/chemistry* ; Panax/chemistry* ; Animals ; Rats ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Isoproterenol/adverse effects* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology* ; Hypertrophy/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects of two traditional mineral medicines (TMMs), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, GF) and Terra Flava Usta (Zaoxintu, TFU), on gut-beneficial bacteria in mice, and preliminarily explore their mechanisms of action. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 per group): the control group (standard diet), the GF group (diet supplemented with 2% GF), and the TFU group (diet supplemented with 2% TFU). After 4-week intervention, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes in the gut microbiota (GM). Scanning electron microscopy, in combination with coumarin A tetramethyl rhodamine conjugate and Hoechst stainings, was used to observe the bacteria and biofilm formation. RESULTS: Principal coordinate analysis revealed that GF and TFU significantly altered the GM composition in mice. Further analysis revealed that GF and TFU affected different types of gut bacteria, suggesting that different TMMs may selectively modulate specific bacterial populations. For certain bacteria, such as Faecalibaculum and Ileibacterium, both GF and TFU exhibited growth-promoting effects, implying that they may be sensitive to TMMs and that different TMMs can increase their abundance through their respective mechanisms. Notably, Lactobacillus reuteri, a widely recognized and used probiotic, was significantly enriched in the GF group. Random forest analysis identified Ileibacterium valens as a potential indicator bacterium for TMMs' impact on GM. Further mechanistic studies showed that gut bacteria formed biofilm structures on the TFU surface. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into the interaction between TMMs and GM. As safe and effective natural clays, GF and TFU hold promise as potential candidates for prebiotic development.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Mice ; Biofilms/drug effects* ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*

Acupuncture is an ancient treatment method used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been popularized worldwide. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the amount of acupuncture research, mostly comprised of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that aimed to answer the question on the efficacy of acupuncture. However, poor methodology and low replicability in these acupuncture RCTs have resulted in uncertainty about the efficacy of acupuncture. In this review, current advancements and challenges in acupuncture RCTs, regarding the methodological aspects of randomization, blinding, sham acupuncture and quality of reporting, were discussed. While there have been advancements in various aspects, current acupuncture RCTs still face pressing issues such as inadequate randomization and blinding, unviable sham acupuncture controls, and poor reporting quality. Given these limitations, this review seeks to identify the methodological problems that are responsible for these problems and to suggest solutions that could help to overcome them so as to improve the quality of future studies evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture. Please cite this article as: Seetoh WS, Lim RQR, Xu RB, Sun MX, Zhang P, Wang MN. Advancements and challenges of acupuncture randomized controlled trials. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 333-343.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/methods* ; Research Design

Objective To investigate the mechanism of sanguinarine(SA)for alleviating ulcerative colitis(UC)induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)in mice.Methods Male C57BL/6 mouse models of 3.5%DSS-induced UC were randomized for treatment with 1,5 and 10 mg/kg SA by gavage,400 mg/kg sulfasalazine by gavage,or 10 mg/kg SA combined with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg ML385(a Nrf2 inhibitor).The changes in intestinal inflammation was assessed by monitoring weight changes,disease activity index(DAI)score,colon length measurement,and HE staining.After the treatments,the colon tissues were collected for detection of malondialdehyde(MDA)content using colorimetry,mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors using RT-qPCR,and the expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,Keap-1,p-p65,p65,occludin,and ZO-1 proteins were detected using Western blotting.Results SA treatment obviously alleviated weight loss,colon length shortening and DAI score increase and ameliorated structural destruction of the colon glands and colonic crypts in mice with DSS-induced UC.SA intervention significantly decreased the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA and lowered ROS and MDA levels in the colon tissue of UC mice.The mouse models receiving SA treatment showed significantly increased expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,occludin and ZO-1 and lowered expressions of Keap-1 and P-P65 in the colon tissue without significant changes of p65 expression,and these changes were SA dose-dependent.Treatment with ML385 obviously attenuated the effect of high-dose SA for improving UC in the mouse models.Conclusion SA can improve UC-like enteritis in mice possibly by activating the Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in the colon tissue.

Objective To investigate the effect of sanguinarine(SAN)on proliferation and ferroptosis of colorectal cancer cells.Methods SW620 and HCT-116 cells treated with different concentrations of SAN were examined for cell viability changes using CCK8 assay to determine the IC50 of SAN in the two cells.The inhibitory effects of SAN on proliferation,invasion and migration of the cells were evaluated using colony-forming assay and Transwell assays.ROS production in the treated cells was analyzed with flow cytometry,and lipid peroxide production was assessed by detecting malondialdehyde(MDA)level.Glutathione(GSH)levels in the cells were detected,and Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins STUB1 and GPX4.Results SAN significantly inhibited the proliferation,invasion and migration of SW620 and HCT-116 cells.SAN treatment significantly promoted ROS production,increased intracellular MDA level,and lowered GSH level in the two cells(P<0.05).Western blotting showed that SAN significantly upregulated the expression of STUB1 and down-regulated the expression of its downstream protein GPX4(P<0.05).Conclusion SAN induces ferroptosis in colorectal cancer cells by regulating STUB1/GPX4,which may serve as a new therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.

Objective To understand the spectrum and changes of pathogens causing healthcare-associated infec-tion(HAI)in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU).Methods Clinical medical records of neonates with HAI in a hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were collected,spectrum of pathogens causing HAI were and analyzed retrospectively.Results A total of 7 597 hospitalized neonates were investigated,and 240 of whom had 263 cases of HAI,with an HAI incidence of 3.16％and healthcare-associated case infection incidence of 3.46％.96 cases(36.50％)were bloodstream infection,70(26.62％)were respiratory system infection,and 57(21.67％)were in-fection without clear sites.A total of 170 pathogens were detected from specimens,78(45.88％)of which were Gram-positive bacteria,with Staphylococcus spp.accounting for the highest proportion,78(45.88％)were Gram-negative bacteria,mainly Klebsiella pneumoniae,and 14(8.24％)were fungi.The detection rate of Gram-negative bacteria showed an upward trend from 2018 to 2022(P＜0.01).Conclusion The majority of HAI in NICU is bloodstream infection.In recent years,the detection rate of Gram-negative bacteria has been increasing year by year,and it is necessary to streng-then the prevention and control of HAI in clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of double S-shaped elastic stable intramedullary nailing in the treatment of paediatric fractures of the distal tibia diaphyseal metaphyseal junction.Methods:From January 2018 to January 2022, a total of 25 children with fracture of the distal tibia diaphyseal metaphyseal junction were treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University. All of them were treated with closed reduction and double S-shaped elastic stable intramedullary nailing. There were 16 males and 9 females with an average age of (10.4±3.3) years, and 14 left sides and 11 right sides. The operation time, imaging results and complications were recorded after operation. At the last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring was used to evaluate the efficacy.Results:Closed reduction succeeded in all patients. The operation time was (55.6±23.7) min. Follow-up lasted (20.5±4.7) months for this cohort. Bony union was achieved in all patients after (11.5±2.7) weeks. No postoperative complications occurred in the patients, like infection, loss of reduction, disparity in length of lower limbs, delayed union or non-union. The AOFAS scoring at the last follow-up yielded 23 excellent and 2 good cases, and an excellent and good rate of 100% (25/25).Conclusion:In the treatment of paediatric fractures of the distal tibia diaphyseal metaphyseal junction, double S-shaped elastic stable intramedullary nailing is a safe, effective and feasible option.

Objective To investigate the external radiation doses and occupational health examination data of radiation workers in medical institutions in Zhangjiagang City, China, explore the effects of long-term exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on their health, and provide a reference for occupational health monitoring. Methods The radiation workers of medical institutions in Zhangjiagang City were selected as the research subjects. Their personal radiation doses and occupational health examination data were collected. A scale was used for mental health survey. The data were analyzed according to different clinical characteristic groups. Results During the 5-year period from 2019 to 2023, the average annual radiation dose received by radiation workers in medical institutions in Zhangjiagang City was 0.21 mSv/year. There were significant differences in the average annual radiation dose across these years and radiation workers with different occupations. The results of occupational health examinations showed significant difference in the total abnormal detection rate among these years (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the abnormal rates of blood pressure, blood routine, and electrocardiogram across these years (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the abnormal rate of routine blood test in radiation workers with different sexes, years of service, and radiation occupations (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the abnormal rate of blood pressure in radiation workers with different sexes, ages, and years of service (P < 0.01). The mental health survey showed significant differences between the radiation and the non-radiation groups in terms of occupational stress, anxiety score, and depression score (P < 0.05). Conclusion Long-term low-dose ionizing radiation may have adverse effects on the physical and mental health of radiation workers, and it is necessary to strengthen the occupational health examination and radiation protection of radiation workers.