1.Dual-modal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents Based on Polymetallic Nanoclusters for Targeted Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Qing-Dong LI ; Peng WANG ; Jian-Min XIAO ; Wen-Juan GAO ; Zhen-Hong XIA ; Gui-Long ZHANG ; Zheng-Yan WU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):602-611
Fe/Mn/Gd polymetallic nanooxide(FMGN)were prepared by one-step solvent thermal reaction by using Fe(acac)3,Mn(acac)2 and Gd(acac)3 as reaction precursors.Next,hyaluronic acid(HA)was used to modify FMGN to fabricate tumor-targeting T 1-T 2 dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)contrast agent(HA-FMGN)for accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.The structure and morphology of FMGN were observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).It was found that FMGN exhibited a uniform nanocluster spherical structure when the feeding ratio of iron acetylacetonate,manganese acetylacetonate,and gadolinium acetylacetonate was 3:2:1.X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis showed that FMGN had a typical inverse spinel structure of Mn doped Fe 3O 4,with Gd existing in the form of amorphous gadolinium oxide.The longitudinal relaxivity(r 1)and transverse relaxivity(r 2)of FMGN were 13.395 and 428.535 L/(mmol·s),respectively,measured by 0.5 T MRI analyzer,which proved that FMGN had excellent T 1-T 2 dual-mode MRI contrast capability.The cytotoxicity and hemolysis test found that HA-FMGN didn't damage red cells and induce toxicity for normal cells,indicating that HA-FMGN had excellent cell biocompatibility.The internalization efficacy of HA-FMGN was observed by CLSM,and the results showed that HA-FMGN possessed excellent prostate tumor-targeting ability.In vivo MRI experiment showed that HA-FMGN significantly enhanced T 1 and T 2 weighted MRI signal to noise ratio(SNR)of prostate tumor,which promoted the accurate diagnosis of orthotopic prostate cancer.
2.Application of quantitative electroencephalography in predicting post-stroke cognitive impairment
Wenxiao NIU ; Ying GAO ; Mengfan LI ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jinbiao ZHANG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;33(5):362-365
Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a common complication of stroke, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Therefore, early and accurate prediction of PSCI is crucial for implementing targeted intervention measures. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), as a non-invasive and objective neurophysiological technique, can provide objective basis for early prediction and targeted intervention of PSCI during the critical period of 72 hours to 1 month after stroke onset. This article reviews the current application status of qEEG in predicting PSCI, aiming to provide theoretical basis for early identification of patients with high-risk PSCI.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Renal Protective Mechanism of Dan Qi Yishen Prescription in Treating Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Jianping LI ; Deli ZHU ; Zhen MA ; Xiaoman CHEN ; Gan LUO ; Lin ZHONG ; Jie WANG ; Rongli GAO ; Haixia LIN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):350-357
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Dan Qi Yishen Prescription in treating diabetic nephropathy(DN)and explore its renal protective mechanism.Methods A total of 150 patients with DN of qi-yin deficiency complicated with blood stasis syndrome who admitted to Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to April 2023 were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method,with 75 patients in each group.Both groups were given conventional therapies such as dietary treatment,blood glucose control,blood pressure control,lipid-lowering treatment and treatment of complications.Additionally,the control group was given intravenous injection of reduced glutathione,while the observation group was given oral use of the decoction of Dan Qi Yishen Prescription and ionic introduction of Dan Qi Yishen Prescription in renal region.Thirty days constituted one course of treatment,and both groups were treated for three courses.Before and after treatment,the scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome,and the levels of renal function indicators,renal hemodynamic indicators,coagulation and fibrinolysis indicators,and vascular endothelial function indicators in the two groups were observed.Results(1)After treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms such as fatigue and weakness,palpitations and shortness of breath,dizziness and tinnitus,spontaneous sweating and night sweating,restlessness and insomnia,and thirst with preference for drinks in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.01),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(2)After treatment,the levels of renal function indicators such as blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),collagen Ⅳ(CⅣ),and plasma laminin(LN)of patients in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.01),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of renal hemodynamic indicators such as systolic maximum blood flow velocity(Vsmax)and diastolic minimum blood flow velocity(Vdmin)of the main renal artery(MRA)and interlobar artery(IRA)in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the resistance index(RI)and pulsatility index(PI)of MRA and RI of IRA in the two group as well as PI of IRA in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The increase of Vsmax and Vdmin of MRA and IRA as well as the decrease of RI and PI of MRA and IRA in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the levels of coagulation and fibrinolysis indicators such as prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),D-dimer(D-D),and fibrinogen(FIB)in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.01),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(5)The analysis of vascular endothelial function indicators showed that after treatment,the serum vasohibin 1(VASH-1)level in the two groups was increased compared with that before treatment(P<0.01),and the serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endothelin 1(ET-1)levels were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.01),and the increase of serum VASH-1 level as well as the decrease of serum VEGF and ET-1 levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion Dan Qi Yishen Prescription exerts good clinical efficacy in treating patients with DN of qi-yin deficiency complicated with blood stasis syndrome,and it has protective effect on renal function probably by improving the coagulation and fibrinolysis system and vascular endothelial function of the patients.
4.The Valvular Heart Disease-specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) score in patients with moderate or severe valvular heart disease.
Mu-Rong XIE ; Bin ZHANG ; Yun-Qing YE ; Zhe LI ; Qing-Rong LIU ; Zhen-Yan ZHAO ; Jun-Xing LV ; De-Jing FENG ; Qing-Hao ZHAO ; Hai-Tong ZHANG ; Zhen-Ya DUAN ; Bin-Cheng WANG ; Shuai GUO ; Yan-Yan ZHAO ; Run-Lin GAO ; Hai-Yan XU ; Yong-Jian WU
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(9):759-774
BACKGROUND:
Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD.
METHODS & RESULTS:
The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology.
CONCLUSION
The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.
5.Discovery and proof-of-concept study of a novel highly selective sigma-1 receptor agonist for antipsychotic drug development.
Wanyu TANG ; Zhixue MA ; Bang LI ; Zhexiang YU ; Xiaobao ZHAO ; Huicui YANG ; Jian HU ; Sheng TIAN ; Linghan GU ; Jiaojiao CHEN ; Xing ZOU ; Qi WANG ; Fan CHEN ; Guangying LI ; Chaonan ZHENG ; Shuliu GAO ; Wenjing LIU ; Yue LI ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Mingmei WANG ; Na YE ; Xuechu ZHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5346-5365
Sigma-1 receptor (σ 1R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ 1R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ 1R in relation to σ 2R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ 1R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.
6.Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Yuanyue ZHU ; Linhui SHEN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Jieli LU ; Min XU ; Yufang BI ; Weiguo HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):79-89
This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans
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Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Gallstones/complications*
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Female
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Male
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Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Aged
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Adult
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Neoplasms/etiology*
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Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*
7.Identifying purgative targets of sennoside A via in situ biotransformation of prodrug-based probes.
Zhen LIU ; Xinyue GENG ; Xinyue LIU ; Mengru LI ; Xiang LI ; Zhixin ZHANG ; Gan LUO ; Ying WANG ; Xiaoyan GAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):101078-101078
•A strategy for in situ metabolically synthesized active drug-based probes was proposed.•The potential purgative targets of SA were successfully hooked and identified.•The work provided a new insight for studying the direct targets of unstable active drugs.
8.Development and application on a full process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on generative artificial intelligence.
Wanjie YANG ; Hao FU ; Xiangfei MENG ; Changsong LI ; Ce YU ; Xinting ZHAO ; Weifeng LI ; Wei ZHAO ; Qi WU ; Zheng CHEN ; Chao CUI ; Song GAO ; Zhen WAN ; Jing HAN ; Weikang ZHAO ; Dong HAN ; Zhongzhuo JIANG ; Weirong XING ; Mou YANG ; Xuan MIAO ; Haibai SUN ; Zhiheng XING ; Junquan ZHANG ; Lixia SHI ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(5):477-483
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI (GenAI), has already brought, and will continue to bring, revolutionary changes to our daily production and life, as well as create new opportunities and challenges for diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the medical field. Haihe Hospital of Tianjin University collaborates with the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, Tianjin University, and other institutions to carry out research in areas such as smart healthcare, smart services, and smart management. We have conducted research and development of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on GenAI in the field of smart healthcare. The development of this project is of great significance. The first goal is to upgrade and transform the hospital's information center, organically integrate it with existing information systems, and provide the necessary computing power storage support for intelligent services within the hospital. We have implemented the localized deployment of three models: Tianhe "Tianyuan", WiNGPT, and DeepSeek. The second is to create a digital avatar of the chief physician/chief physician's voice and image by integrating multimodal intelligent interaction technology. With generative intelligence as the core, this solution provides patients with a visual medical interaction solution. The third is to achieve deep adaptation between generative intelligence and the entire process of patient medical treatment. In this project, we have developed assistant tools such as intelligent inquiry, intelligent diagnosis and recognition, intelligent treatment plan generation, and intelligent assisted medical record generation to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of the diagnosis and treatment process. This study introduces the content of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system, aiming to provide references and insights for the digital transformation of the healthcare industry.
Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
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Delivery of Health Care
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Generative Artificial Intelligence
9.Effects of drought stress training on polysaccharide accumulation and drought resistance of Codonopsis pilosula.
Lu-Lu WANG ; Xiao-Lin WANG ; Zhe-Yu LIU ; Li-Zhen WANG ; Jia-Tong SHI ; Jiao-Jiao JI ; Jian-Ping GAO ; Yun-E BAI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):672-681
In order to clarify the effects of drought stress training on the quality and drought resistance of Codonopsis pilosula, this study used PEG to simulate drought stress and employed potting with water control for the drought stress training of C. pilosula plants. The polysaccharide content, secondary metabolites, antioxidant system, and photosynthetic pigment system of C. pilosula after drought stress training were analyzed. The results showed that the content of fructans in the root of C. pilosula increased after two rounds of drought stress treatment, and it was significantly higher than that of the control group. The accumulation of fructans in the root of C. pilosula showed an upward trend during the rehydration treatment. The content of lobetyolin and tangshenoside Ⅰ increased after drought stress treatment compared with that of the control group. The rehydration treatment caused first increasing and then decreasing in the content of lobetyolin, while it had no significant effect on the tangshenoside Ⅰcontent. The content of photosynthetic pigments decreased after drought stress treatment, and it gradually increased during the first round of rehydration and the second round of rehydration. Moreover, the increase was faster in the second round of rehydration than in the first round of rehydration. The content of the peroxidation product malondialdehyde(MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), peroxidase(POD), and catalase(CAT) increased after drought stress treatment compared with those of the control group, and they showed a tendency of decreasing during rehydration. Moreover, the decrease was faster in the second round of rehydration than in the first round of rehydration. When the plants of C. pilosula after drought stress training were again subjected to severe drought stress, the wilting rate decreased significantly, and the biomass increases significantly. This study showed that the drought stress training could promote the accumulation of polysaccharides and secondary metabolites in the root of C. pilosula. When encountering drought stress again, C. pilosula plants could quickly regulate the antioxidant system and delay the decomposition of chlorophyll to respond to drought stress. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the ecological cultivation of C. pilosula in arid and semi-arid areas.
Codonopsis/growth & development*
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Droughts
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Polysaccharides/metabolism*
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Stress, Physiological
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Water/metabolism*
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Antioxidants/metabolism*
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Photosynthesis
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Drought Resistance
10.Effect of total secondary ginsenosides on apoptosis and energy metabolism of H9c2 cells under hypoxia based on mitochondrial biogenesis.
Zhong-Jie YUAN ; Yue XIAO ; Zhen LIU ; Ai-Qun ZHANG ; Bin LI ; Shang-Xian GAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1255-1266
This study explores the effect of total secondary ginsenosides(TSG) on apoptosis and energy metabolism in H9c2 cells under hypoxia and its potential mechanisms. H9c2 cell viability was observed and the apoptosis rate was calculated to determine suitable intervention concentrations of TSG, antimycin A complex(AMA), and coenzyme Q10(CoQ10), along with the duration of hypoxia. H9c2 cells at the logarithmic phase were divided into a normal group, a model group, a TSG group, an AMA group, a TSG+AMA group, and a CoQ10 group. All groups, except the normal group, were treated with their respective intervention drugs and cultured under hypoxic conditions. Adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content and creatine kinase(CK) activity were measured using an ATP chemiluminescence assay kit and a CK colorimetric assay kit. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis rates, and Western blot evaluated the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, including B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease(caspase)-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, as well as mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α(PGC-1α), estrogen-related receptor-α(ERRα), nuclear respiratory factor(NRF)-1, NRF-2, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α(PPARα), and Na~+-K~+-ATPase. RT-PCR was employed to analyze the mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors, including PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα, mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM), mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1(COX1), and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1(ND1), ND2. The selected intervention concentrations were 7.5 μg·mL~(-1) for TSG, 10 μmol·L~(-1) for AMA, and 1×10~(-4) mol·L~(-1) for CoQ10, with a hypoxia duration of 6 h. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased ATP content and CK activity, increased apoptosis rates, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression in H9c2 cells. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial biogenesis-related factors(PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα), mRNA expression of TFAM, COX1, and ND1, ND2, and protein expression of Na~+-K~+-ATPase in mitochondrial DNA, were also reduced. In the TSG and CoQ10 groups, ATP content and CK activity increased, and apoptosis rates decreased compared with those in the model group. The TSG group showed decreased protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, increased protein and mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, and PPARα, and increased NRF-2 protein expression and TFAM mRNA expression in mitochondrial DNA. Conversely, in the AMA group, ATP content and CK activity decreased, the apoptosis rate increased, Bcl-2 expression decreased, and Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression increased, alongside reductions in PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα protein and mRNA expression, as well as TFAM, COX1, ND1, ND2 mRNA expression and Na~+-K~+-ATPase protein expression. Compared with the TSG group, the TSG+AMA group exhibited decreased ATP content and CK activity, increased apoptosis rates, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression, along with decreased PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, and PPARα protein and mRNA expression and TFAM, COX1, and ND1, ND2 mRNA expression. Compared with the AMA group, the TSG+AMA group showed increased CK activity, decreased apoptosis rate, increased Bcl-2 expression, and decreased Bax, caspase-8, and caspase-9 expression. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression of PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, PPARα, mRNA expression of TFAM, COX1, ND1, ND2, and Na~+-K~+-ATPase protein expression increased. In conclusion, TSG enhance ATP content and CK activity and inhibit apoptosis in H9c2 cells under hypoxia, and the mechanisms may be related to the regulation of PGC-1α, ERRα, NRF-1, NRF-2, PPARα, and TFAM expression, thus promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.
Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
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Energy Metabolism/drug effects*
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Animals
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Rats
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Cell Line
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Cell Hypoxia/drug effects*
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Organelle Biogenesis
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Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism*
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Humans
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Cell Survival/drug effects*

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