1.Expert recommendations on vision friendly built environments for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):1-5
Abstract
The prevention and control of myopia in Chinese children and adolescents has become a major public health issue. While maintaining increased outdoor activity as a cornerstone intervention, there is an urgent need to explore new complementary approaches that can be effectively implemented in both indoor and outdoor settings. In recent years, environmental spatial frequency has gained increasing attention as one of the key environmental factors influencing the development and progression of myopia. Both animal studies and human research have confirmed that indoor environments lacking mid to high spatial frequency components, often characterized as "visually impoverished", can promote axial elongation and myopia through mechanisms such as disruption of retinal neural signaling, impaired accommodative function, and altered expression of related molecules. Based on the scientific consensus, it is recommended that "enriching of environmental spatial frequency" should be integrated into the myopia prevention and control framework. Following the principles of schoolled organization, family cooperation, community involvement, and student participation, specific measures are put forward in three areas:optimizing school visual settings, improving home spatial environments, and promoting healthy visual behavior. The aim is to create "visually friendly" indoor environments as an important supplement to outdoor activity, thereby providing a novel perspective and strategy for comprehensively advancing myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents.
2.Effect of Astragali Radix on Gut Microbiota and GLP-1 in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Qi Deficiency Type
Keke HOU ; Lin CHEN ; Zhidan ZHANG ; Yunyi YANG ; Fangli ZHANG ; Yuanying XU ; Hongping YIN ; Lan DING ; Tao LEI ; Wenjun SHA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):161-170
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Astragali Radix-mediated changes in gut microbiota on treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM). MethodsA 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled eighty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control in the Qi deficiency type. All patients received insulin therapy. The observation group (40 cases) was administered with Astragali Radix Granules, while the control group (40 cases) received a placebo. Both treamtents were taken orally twice daily. Changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16s rDNA sequencing. Serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Glucose metabolism indicators including fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 h PG),glycated albumin(GA), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were evaluated. Pancreatic function was evaluated using fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (2 h CP), and C-peptide area under the curve (AUCcp). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy, and safety indicators were also observed. ResultsIn terms of glucose metabolism indicators, compared with the baseline, both groups exhibited significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C (P<0.01),while FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after the treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower FPG, 2 h PG, GA and HbA1C(P<0.05, P<0.01),and significantly higher FCP, 2 h CP and AUCcp (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that Astragali Radix can improve glucose metabolism. In terms of the diversity of gut microbiota, no significant differences were detected in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of the two groups compared with their respective baselines. However, compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group demonstrated significant increases in the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). The β-diversity analysis showed significant separation in gut microbiota composition before and after treatment in both groups, indicating that Astragali Radix can significantly alter the structure and improve the diversity of gut microbiota. At the phylum level, compared with the baseline, both groups showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). The relative abundance of the potentially harmful phylum Proteobacteria was significantly lower in the observation Group after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the post-treatment control group, the observation group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroidota(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio between the two groups after treatment, and other phyla showed no significant differences. At the genus level, compared with the baseline, the observation group exhibited a significant increase in Bacteroides (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in Escherichia-Shigella (P<0.01), whereas no significant difference was seen in the control group . Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group after treatment had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroides (P<0.01). No significant differences were seen in other genera. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) identified potential characteristics taxa: in the observation group, Bacteroidota at the phylum level and Bacteroides and Dubosiella at the genus level, in the control group, Proteobacteria at the phylum level as well as Barnesiella and Staphylococcus at the genus level. Correlation analysis based on a heatmap revealed that GLP-1 levels were positively correlated with Firmicutes, F/B ratio and Fusobacterium, and negatively correlated with Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella. In terms of clinical efficacy, compared with the control group, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the scores for shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, spontaneous sweating and reluctance to speak significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the score for weakness was significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix could improve clinical symptoms and alleviate weakness symptoms. In terms of safety, compared with the baseline, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating that Astragali Radix did not induce any significant abnormalities in liver and kidney functions. ConclusionAstragali Radix demonstrates the potential to significantly improve the gut microbiota environment in patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with Qi deficiency. The therapeutic effect may contribute to glycemic control, possibly mediated by an elevation in GLP-1 level. These findings may support its further clinical investigations and potential applications.
3.Mid- and long-term efficacy of mitral valve plasty versus replacement in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation: A 10-year single-center outcome
Hanqing LIANG ; Qiaoli WAN ; Tao WEI ; Rui LI ; Zhipeng GUO ; Jian ZHANG ; Zongtao YIN ; Jinsong HAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):108-113
Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P>0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.
4.Clinical application value of plasma RASSF1A gene methylation combined with tumor marker detection in the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer
Haijuan YIN ; Yali LIU ; Linguang ZHANG ; Rongye ZHANG ; Tao DONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science 2025;43(10):742-747
Objective To investigate the clinical diagnostic value of plasma RAS association domain family 1A(RASSF1A)gene methylation combined with tumor marker detection in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 98 NSCLC patients admitted to Qinhuangdao First Hospital from June 2023 to March 2024 were selected as the NSCLC group,and 95 patients who under-went pulmonary examinations during the same period but were not diagnosed with NSCLC were selected as the disease control group.Their general clinical data were collected.The correlations among plasma RASSF1A gene methylation,tumor markers,and clinicopatho-logical features were analyzed.The effects of RASSF1A gene methylation and tumor markers on the diagnosis of NSCLC were analyzed by the multivariate Logistic regression.A predictive model was constructed,and its effectiveness was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve and goodness of fit test.Results There were significant differences(P<0.05)in smoking history,neu-ron specific enolase(NSE),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1),and RASSF1A methylation levels between the NSCLC group and non-NSCLC group.There were also significant differences(P<0.05)in RASSF1A methylation levels,NSE,CEA,and CYFR21-1 levels among NSCLC patients with different clinical characteristics such as tumor diam-eter,differentiation degree,and growth type.The results of multivariate Logistic analysis showed that RASSF1A methylation levels(OR=1.071,95%CI:1.042-1.100),NSE(OR=1.168,95%CI:1.132-1.204),CEA(OR=1.154,95%CI:1.121-1.187),and CYFR21-1(OR=1.089,95%CI:1.023-1.195)were all independent risk factors for the diagnosis of NSCLC.A model predicting the occurrence of NSCLC was constructed using the principal component analysis(PCA)and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),and the ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUCROC),sensitivity,and specificity of the prediction model for the RASSF1A methylation level combined with NSE,CEA,and CYFR21-1 were 0.922(95%CI:0.896-0.948),0.897,and 0.851,respectively,which were higher than those of the RASSF1A methylation level,NSE,CEA,and CYFR21-1 alone.Conclusion The prediction model of plasma RASSF1A gene methylation level combined with tumor markers has high diagnostic value for NSCLC and can be used for the clinical diagnosis of NSCLC.
5.Study on multimodal models based on radiomics and deep learning for predicting acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute pancreatitis
Ran TAO ; Lei ZHANG ; Yuzheng XUE ; Yiping SHEN ; Meiyu CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Minyue YIN ; Jinzhou ZHU
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2025;25(5):341-348
Objective:To establish and validate a multimodal model based on radiomics and deep learning for predicting acute pancreatitis (AP) complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods:Patients diagnosed with AP from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Donghai County People's Hospital and Jintan Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University between January 2017 and December 2023 were enrolled. Based on the diagnosis of ARDS within 1 week after admission, the patients were classified into the ARDS group and the non-ARDS group. Patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University ( n=406) was used as the training set (non-ARDS group n=212 vs ARDS group n=194), while Donghai and Jintan hospitals served as the test set ( n=175; non-ARDS group n=104 vs ARDS group n=71). Clinical data, laboratory tests and the occurrence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) within 24 hours after admission were collected. Scoring systems such as bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP), Ranson score and modified CT severity index (MCTSI) were calculated. Radiomics features were extracted from three-dimensional CT images to develop a radiomics model based on XGBoost algorithm. At the same time, a deep learning model was constructed using deep convolutional networks to extract deep features. Finally, clinical features and the predictions from the aforementioned models were integrated to establish a multimodal model based on XGBoost algorithm. To enhance model visualization, variable importance ranking and local interpretable visualization were used. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the three models and the three scores including BISAP, Ranson and MCTSI were plotted and the area under the curves (AUCs) were calculated to evaluate the prediction performance for ARDS in AP patients, as well as sensitivity and specificity. Results:In the multimodal model for predicting ARDS in AP patients, predictions of the deep learning model and the radiomics model were the most important variables, followed by SIRS, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, albumin, glucose, creatinine, neutrophil, and Ca 2+. In the training set, the multimodal model achieved an AUC of 0.933 for predicting ARDS in AP patients, higher than the radiomics model (0.727), the deep learning model (0.877), MCTSI (0.870), Ranson (0.620) and BISAP (0.898). In the test set, the model's AUC was 0.916 for predicting ARDS in AP patients, higher than the radiomics model (0.660), the deep learning model (0.864), MCTSI (0.851), Ranson (0.609), and BISAP (0.860). Conclusions:Based on clinical structured data, radiomics and deep learning features, the multimodal model could predict the risk of ARDS in AP patients at an early stage, whose performance is better than the single-modal models and the traditional scoring systems.
6.The efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon α1b in the treatment of pediatric respiratory syncytial viral associated lower respiratory tract infections: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase Ⅲ clinical study
Xiaohui LIU ; Baoping XU ; Yunxiao SHANG ; Han ZHANG ; Zhenkun ZHANG ; Guangyu LIN ; Ju YIN ; Aihua CUI ; Guocheng ZHANG ; Zhaoling SHI ; Liwei GAO ; Chunming JIANG ; Junmei BIAN ; Yongjian HUANG ; Rongfang ZHANG ; Xiaomei LIU ; Xiaoqing YANG ; Yu TANG ; Lili ZHONG ; Hongmei QIAO ; Chuangli HAO ; Yuqing WANG ; Qubei LI ; Ling CAO ; Yungang YANG ; Ling LU ; Rongjun LIN ; Xingzhen SUN ; Wei ZHOU ; Qiang CHEN ; Jikui DENG ; Yuejie ZHENG ; Lin ZHAO ; Tao AI ; Xiaohong LIU ; Xiaoxia LU ; Ning JIANG ; Ming LI
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(3):180-186
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.
7.Surgical versus medical castration following radical prostatectomy in patients with very high-risk prostate cancer
Yifan CHANG ; Chaozhao LIANG ; Zongyao HAO ; Shuiping YIN ; Li ZHANG ; Lingfan XU ; Junyue TAO ; Changhao SONG ; Jun ZHOU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(9):748-754
Objective To compare the efficacy,economic burden,psychological impact,and quality of life between surgical and medical castration following radical prostatectomy(RP)in patients with very high-risk prostate cancer(VHR PCa).Methods Clinical data of 167 patients with VHR PCa who underwent RP in the Department of Urology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University during Jul.2019 and Mar.2024 were retrospectively collected.Patients were divided into two groups:the surgical castration group(n=44)and medical castration group(n=123).The effects of different castration methods on the biochemical recurrence(BCR)were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models.The survival curves of BCR-free and progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)were plotted with the Kaplan-Meier method.The differences in functional assessment of cancer therapy-prostate(FACT-P)and hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS)between the two groups were evaluated with linear regression model.Results The total costs were significantly lower in the surgical castration group than in the medical castration group[(47 422.0±3 998.3)yuan vs.(59 017.2±8 014.1)yuan,P<0.001].One month postoperatively,the surgical castration group had significantly lower prostate-specific antigen(PSA)level[0.028(0.010,0.159)ng/mL vs.0.100(0.029,0.895)ng/mL,P=0.002].However,no significant differences were observed in the PSA level between the two groups at 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively,or in PSA nadir and time to nadir(P>0.05).Cox regression analysis suggested a potentially higher risk of BCR in the medical castration group(HR=2.23),but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.112).The 1-and 3-year BCR-free survival rates were higher in the surgical castration group(90.9%vs.85.4%;86.4%vs.70.7%,respectively),whereas 1-and 3-year progression-free survival rates were comparable between the two groups(97.7%vs.97.6%;95.5%vs.91.9%),with no significant differences(P>0.05).No significant differences were found in FACT-P[(57.3±10.2)vs.(57.3±7.6)]or HADS[(12.6±5.1)vs.(11.3±4.8)]scores between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion In VHR PCa patients,surgical castration performed following RP is not inferior to drug castration in terms of PSA control,and potential delay of BCR.It had a lower cost and does not significantly increase the psychological burden.As an underutilized strategy,surgical castration can become an optional option for individualized treatment.
8.Data-driven refined operation management in public hospitals
Qianfan ZHANG ; Ye XU ; Bo TAO ; Wei PAN ; Yuan YUAN ; Liang YIN
Modern Hospital 2025;25(2):252-255
Refined operational management is crucial to enhance hospital operational efficiency and achieve sustainable and high-quality development.A large tertiary comprehensive hospital,selected as an observation subject in this study,has har-nessed the value inherent in its extensive operational data,thereby constructing a data-driven operational management framework.Through measures such as developing an operational management system,setting up an operational data hub,and optimizing re-source allocation based on data modeling,this hospital has conducted comprehensive operational analysis at the hospital,depart-ment,and project levels,established a performance management system grounded in data,and enhanced risk prevention and con-trol capabilities,investigating the refined operational management.These efforts have led to incremental improvements in hospital quality,continuous enhancements in operational efficiency,and significant increases in patient and employee satisfaction.
9.Clinical application value of plasma RASSF1A gene methylation combined with tumor marker detection in the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer
Haijuan YIN ; Yali LIU ; Linguang ZHANG ; Rongye ZHANG ; Tao DONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science 2025;43(10):742-747
Objective To investigate the clinical diagnostic value of plasma RAS association domain family 1A(RASSF1A)gene methylation combined with tumor marker detection in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 98 NSCLC patients admitted to Qinhuangdao First Hospital from June 2023 to March 2024 were selected as the NSCLC group,and 95 patients who under-went pulmonary examinations during the same period but were not diagnosed with NSCLC were selected as the disease control group.Their general clinical data were collected.The correlations among plasma RASSF1A gene methylation,tumor markers,and clinicopatho-logical features were analyzed.The effects of RASSF1A gene methylation and tumor markers on the diagnosis of NSCLC were analyzed by the multivariate Logistic regression.A predictive model was constructed,and its effectiveness was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve and goodness of fit test.Results There were significant differences(P<0.05)in smoking history,neu-ron specific enolase(NSE),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1),and RASSF1A methylation levels between the NSCLC group and non-NSCLC group.There were also significant differences(P<0.05)in RASSF1A methylation levels,NSE,CEA,and CYFR21-1 levels among NSCLC patients with different clinical characteristics such as tumor diam-eter,differentiation degree,and growth type.The results of multivariate Logistic analysis showed that RASSF1A methylation levels(OR=1.071,95%CI:1.042-1.100),NSE(OR=1.168,95%CI:1.132-1.204),CEA(OR=1.154,95%CI:1.121-1.187),and CYFR21-1(OR=1.089,95%CI:1.023-1.195)were all independent risk factors for the diagnosis of NSCLC.A model predicting the occurrence of NSCLC was constructed using the principal component analysis(PCA)and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),and the ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUCROC),sensitivity,and specificity of the prediction model for the RASSF1A methylation level combined with NSE,CEA,and CYFR21-1 were 0.922(95%CI:0.896-0.948),0.897,and 0.851,respectively,which were higher than those of the RASSF1A methylation level,NSE,CEA,and CYFR21-1 alone.Conclusion The prediction model of plasma RASSF1A gene methylation level combined with tumor markers has high diagnostic value for NSCLC and can be used for the clinical diagnosis of NSCLC.
10.Protective effects of icariin against radiation-induced cardiac disease in mice
Fengmin YIN ; Chaoyuan PU ; Tao RAN ; Zixuan SU ; Mengjia WU ; Lei ZHANG ; Xinyi LUO ; Qilin LIU ; Yan CHEN ; Qihai GONG ; Wei HU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(2):83-90
Objective:To explore the cardioprotective effects of icariin (ICA) against radiation-induced cardiac disease (RICD) in C57BL/6 mice.Methods:A total of 48 female C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (CON), the irradiation group (IR), and the irradiation combined with icariin group (IR+ ICA), with 16 mice in each group. The IR and IR+ ICA groups received a single cardiac irradiation at a dose of 30 Gy, while the CON group received no radiation treatment. The IR+ ICA group was treated with ICA (70 mg·kg -1·d -1) two weeks before irradiation until the end of the experiment through intragastric administration. In contrast, the CON and IR groups were treated with an equal volume of vehicle solution (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, NaCMC) via intragastric administration. The mice′s mental status, food intake, body weight, and survival rates were monitored during the experiment. At two weeks post-irradiation, the venous blood of the mice was collected and serum was separated for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT/TNNT2). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the cardiac function of the mice was assessed using echocardiography. After the mice were euthanized under anesthesia, the histopathological changes and fibrosis degree of their myocardial tissues were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome staining, followed by the calculation of collagen volume fraction (CVF). The differential gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cardiac tissues of the mice was detected using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apoptosis-related proteins and proteins associated with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway were determined using Western blotting. The survival curves of the mice were plotted using Kaplan-Meier, and the survival differences of the mice among various groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results:After irradiation, the mice in the IR group showed lethargy, as well as decreased food intake and activity, while these symptoms in the IR+ ICA group were significantly alleviated. At two weeks post-irradiation, the CK-MB and cTnT levels of the IR group were significantly elevated compared with the CON group ( t = 5.28, 8.89, P < 0.01). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the mice in the IR group exhibited significantly decreased body weight ( t = 2.47, P < 0.05) and decreased survival rates ( HR = 8.25, 95% CI: 1.157-58.770, P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. Echocardiography revealed that the IR group featured decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), decreased fractional shortening (FS), and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) compared with the CON group ( t = 7.02, 4.45, P < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that the IR group suffered from cardiomyocyte edema, disordered arrangement, and increased fibrosis, with an elevated CVF. The IR group exhibited significantly upregulated gene expression of BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 in cardiac tissues compared with the CON group ( t = 4.23, 6.39, 4.61, P < 0.05). After-irradiation, the IR group exhibited upregulated apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax ( t = 6.29, 9.54, P < 0.05), decreased Bcl-2 expression ( t = 8.20, P < 0.001), and decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 6.47, 3.42, P < 0.001). The symptoms of the mice were partially ameliorated after treatment with ICA. Specifically, the mice in the IR+ ICA group exhibited higher body weight ( t = 5.13, P < 0.001) and significantly higher survival rates ( HR = 0.121, 95% CI: 0.017-0.864, P < 0.05) than the IR group. Compared to the IR group, the IR+ ICA group showed elevated cardiac function indicators EF and FS( t = 3.23, 3.05, P < 0.05), and reduced LVDD ( t = 3.02, P < 0.05). The histopathological analysis revealed mitigated edema and disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes in the IR+ ICA group. Furthermore, the IR+ ICA group exhibited significantly lower BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 expression levels than the IR group ( t = 2.83, 4.15, 2.96, P < 0.05). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was lower ( t = 3.23, 3.24, P < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was higher ( t = 5.92, P < 0.001), and restored phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 2.89, 8.35, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Icariin has protective effects against the RICD. It alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis possibly by upregulating the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail