OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic potential of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=32) were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The HFD mice were divided into 3 groups according to a simple random method, including HFD, PAB low-dose [10 mg/(kg·d), PAB-L], and PAB high-dose [20 mg/(kg·d), PAB-H] groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Biochemical assays were used to measure the serum and cellular levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). White adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver tissue were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining or Oil Red O staining to observe the alterations in adipose tissue and liver injury. PharmMapper and DisGeNet were used to predict the NAFLD-related PAB targets. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway involvement was suggested by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and search tool Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) analyses. Luciferase reporter assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) were conducted to confirm direct binding of PAB with PPARα. Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to further validate target engagement. RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to assess the downstream genes and proteins expression, and validated by PPARα inhibitor MK886. RESULTS: PAB significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, and increased HDL-C level in HFD mice (P<0.01). Target prediction analysis indicated a significant correlation between PAB and PPARα pathway. PAB direct target binding with PPARα was confirmed through luciferase reporter assay, CETSA, and DARTS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The target engagement between PAB and PPARα protein was further confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and the top 3 amino acid residues, LEU321, MET355, and PHE273 showed the most significant changes in mutational energy. Subsequently, PAB upregulated the genes expressions involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis downstream of PPARα (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significantly, the PPARα inhibitor MK886 effectively reversed the lipid-lowering and PPARα activation properties of PAB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION PAB mitigates lipid accumulation, ameliorates liver damage, and improves mitochondrial biogenesis by binding with PPARα, thus presenting a potential candidate for pharmaceutical development in the treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; PPAR alpha/metabolism* ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Diterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Diet, High-Fat ; Humans ; Mice ; Liver/metabolism* ; Insulin Resistance ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation

This study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder on ulcerative colitis(UC) in rats from the perspective of dampness. SD rats were randomly allocated into six groups(n=10): control, model, mesalazine, and Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder at low(3.96 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium(7.92 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and high(15.84 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) doses. UC was induced in all groups except the control by administration with 3% dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) solution for 7 days. The disease activity index(DAI) was recorded, and the colon tissue was collected for analysis. Histopathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum levels of D-lactic acid(D-LA) and diamine oxidase(DAO) were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry and PCR were employed to evaluate the expression of aquaporins(AQP3, AQP4) and tight junction proteins [zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and occludin] at both protein and mRNA levels. Compared with the control group, the model group showed an increased DAI scores(P<0.05), intestinal mucosal damage, elevated serum levels of DAO and D-LA(P<0.05), and decreased expression of AQP3, AQP4, ZO-1, and occludin(P<0.05). Treatment with Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder reduced the DAI scores(P<0.05), lowered the serum levels of D-LA and DAO(P<0.05), and upregulated the expression of AQP3, AQP4, ZO-1, and occludin at both protein and mRNA levels compared with the model group. These findings suggest that Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder exerts therapeutic effects on UC by reducing the intestinal mucosal permeability, promoting colonic mucosal repair, and regulating abnormal intestinal water metabolism, which may involve the upregulation of AQP3 and AQP4 expression.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Male ; Aquaporin 3/metabolism* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Permeability/drug effects* ; Humans ; Powders ; Intestinal Barrier Function

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of bone setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirschner needle internal fixation in treating SandersⅡ-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture. METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with types Sanders Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture (foot) treated with bone-setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirscher needle internal fixation from July 2017 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 72 years old with an average of (50.83±10.48) years old; 15 patients with Sanders typeⅡ and 37 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ. The changes of Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus width and calcaneus height before operation and 24 months after operation were compared, and Maryland foot function score was performed to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of (41.50±9.86)months. The fracture healed normally and the healing time was (11.00±0.95) weeks. Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal bone width and calcaneal bone height were increased from (16.37±8.36)°, (96.27±9.62)°, (46.82±4.67) mm, (38.41±3.58) mm before operation to (31.48±8.24)°, (111.62±8.69)°, (42.06±4.83) mm, (44.21±3.82) mm at 24 months after operation, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.01). Postoperative Maryland score at 24 months was (93.04±8.83), 40 patients got excellent result, 7 good and 5 fair. CONCLUSION Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation could significantly improve Bühler angle, Gissane angle, width, and height of Sanders typeⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, and the curative effect is satisfactory.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Adult ; Aged ; Fractures, Bone/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Wires ; Manipulation, Orthopedic/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical symptoms and MRI outcomes of patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation(LDH) through a multicenter randomized controlled study, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue formula() in the treatment of this disease. METHODS: A total of 160 outpatients and inpatients with ruptured LDH admitted to 4 medical centers from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the Yiqi Huoxue formula group and the control group, with 80 patients in each group. In the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, there were 43 males and 37 females, with an age of (41.03±9.56) years and a disease duration of (10.45±25.37) days, and the patients were treated with Yiqi Huoxue formula. In the control group, there were 34 males and 46 females, with an age of (42.14±8.73) years and a disease duration of (11.31±21.14) days;during the acute phase, patients in this group could take celecoxib capsules orally, and methylcobalamin orally at the same time. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in the volume of herniated disc tissue on MRI, herniation rate, and absorption rate were recorded at the time of enrollment and during follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients completed the clinical follow-up, and 4 patients withdrew midway. The clinical symptoms of all patients who completed the study were relieved to varying degrees, and reabsorption of herniated disc tissue was observed in all patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group after treatment. For the JOA score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (10.73±2.76) points before treatment and (24.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (11.01±1.20) points before treatment and (17.07±3.26) points at the 12th month after treatment. For the ODI score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (26.21±3.55) points before treatment and (5.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (27.92±2.51) points before treatment and (9.09±2.15) points at the 12th month after treatment. At the 12th month after treatment, the JOA and ODI scores of both groups were better than those before treatment, and the scores of the Yiqi Huoxue formula group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In terms of the herniated disc volume and herniation rate on MRI, the Yiqi Huoxue formula group was superior to the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Reabsorption occurred in 56.96%(45/79) of patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, which was significantly higher than the 37.66%(29/77) in the control group. CONCLUSION After treatment with Yiqi Huoxue formula, patients with ruptured LDH show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and a marked reduction in the volume of herniated discs. During the follow-up period, no obvious adverse drug reactions are observed in patients, and no recurrence of symptoms is found at the last follow-up, indicating that the formula has safe and reliable efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy* ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Hallux valgus is a common disorder of the forefeet,and its diagnosis and treatment have always drawn the attention of the practitioners.This article introduced the minimally-invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine,which was established by Professor WEN Jian-Min after more than 40 years of in-depth clinical practice and research based on the theory of yin-yang balance and theory of tendons and bones in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and through the combination of modern surgical experience.The minimally-invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus embodies the principles of balancing yin and yang,laying equal stress on tendons and bones,unifying the fixation and functional exercises,and treating the fractures and the whole body simultaneously,and includes the key technologies such as minimally-invasive osteotomy for the first metatarsal bone,curtain-wrapped external fixation,perioperative Chinese medicine therapy based on syndrome differentiation,and rehabilitation and nursing of TCM.The system will provide a systematic guide for the standardized minimally-invasive treatment of hallux valgus,and will supply an important approach to the treatment of other orthopedic diseases with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.The minimally-invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus reflects the scientific research achievements and clinical experience of Professor WEN Jian-Min,which exerts high significance of reference and application value.

Aim To observe the effects of Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula(WFJZF)on rats with vascular de-mentia and investigate its possible mechanism of ac-tion.Methods Thirty-six healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group,model group,donepezil group,and low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups of Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula,with six rats per group.Except for the sham group,the other groups were prepared as VaD models,and each group was gavaged with the corresponding drugs after suc-cessful modeling,and tests were performed after three weeks of treatment.Behavioral,hippocampal CA1 area morphology,neural dendrites and mitochondrial chan-ges were observed in all groups of rats,and phospho-glycerate mutase 5(PGAM5),dynamics-related pro-teins1(Drp1),opticatrophyprotein-1(OPA1),and other proteins were detected in each group.Results Compared with the sham group,rats in the model group and each intervention group had prolonged es-cape latency(P＜0.05),a shorter number of travers-als across the platforms(P＜0.05),a sparse morphol-ogy of hippocampal neurons,a reduction in the number of secondary dendritic spines,and a rupture of the out-er membrane of the mitochondria;the expression of the PGAM5 and Drp1 proteins in hippocampal tissues was elevated(P＜0.05),and the expression of the OPA1 and Mfn1/2 protein expression decreased(P＜0.05);compared with the model group,donepezil group and Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula high-dose group of rats had shorter evasion latency(P＜0.05),increased number of times to traverse the platform(P＜0.05),increased number of hippocampal neurons,tightly packed,more secondary dendritic structures,and reduced mitochon-drial damage;the expression of PGAM5 and Drp1 pro-teins was reduced(P＜0.05),and the expression of OPA1 and Mfn1/2 proteins was elevated(P＜0.05).Conclusions Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula can regulate the PGAM5-Drp1 signaling axis to improve the balance of mitochondrial homeostasis,thus improving the cog-nitive condition of the brain and exerting cerebroprotec-tive effects.

Aim To prepare prostate cancer exosomes containing melittin and observe their uptake by prostate cancer cells. Methods Cells treated with starvation for different time were screened for exosome extraction. Exosomes from PC-3 cells were extracted by ultracentrifugation, and the extracted particles were examined by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analyzer(NTA), and Western blot. Melittin exosome system was prepared by repeated freeze-thaw method, incubation at room temperature as well as electroporation, and the size of encapsulation efficiency was measured by centrifugation. A high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)method was applied to assay the content of melittin exosomes(exo-mel). Fluorescence inverted microscopy was employed to evaluate the uptake of melittin exosomes by PC-3 cells, DU145 cells as well as LNCaP cells. Results The results of starvation treatment showed that 24 h starvation treatment was the optimal time point. TEM results showed that the exosomes were round or oval in shape with a distinct membranous structure, and the diameter was around 100 nm. The reagent protein concentration for NTA analysis of exosomes was 0.222 g·L-1. The results of Western blot for the marker proteins of exosomes showed that Alix and CD63 were positively expressed, which indicated that the exosomes could be obtained by starvation culture of PC-3 cells and ultracentrifugation. The results of entrapment efficiency showed that the entrapment efficiency of electroporation method was 17.51% ± 2.39%, that of repeated freeze-thaw method was 11.46% ± 1.02%, and that of room temperature incubation method was 3.93% ± 2.44%. The encapsulation efficiency of electroporation was the highest with significant difference(P<0.05). The uptake assay showed that PC-3 cells could efficiently take up exo-mel in a time-dependent manner, and DU145 cells and LNCaP cells also could take up exo-mel over time. Conclusions Exosomes can be accessed by starvation treatment and high-speed centrifugation, and the prostate cancer melittin exosome system prepared by electroporation method could be taken up by prostate cancer cells.

Aim To investigate the effects of acid sphingomyelinase(ASMase)on high-fat induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice and its regulation of PPARα- PGC-1α pathway. Methods ASMase knockout mice based on C57BL/6 background were constructed. Closed group heterozygotes were obtained through hybridized with wild-type mice(ASMase+/-),together with the littermate WT mice were prepared for NAFLD model in this study. The experiment was divided into four groups:WT+Chow:the WT mice were fed with normal diet for 12 weeks; WT+HFD:the WT mice were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks; ASMase+/-+Chow:the ASMase+/- mice were fed with normal diet for 12 weeks; ASMase+/- +HFD:the ASMase+/- mice were fed with high fat diet for 12 weeks. Biochemical method was used to detect serum TC,TG and liver TC,TG contents and liver function such as ALT and AST. Oil red staining,HE staining,Masson staining and Sirius red staining were performed to detect liver lipid accumulation,hepatocyte morphology and liver fibrosis. AmplexTM red sphingomyelinase kit was applied to detect ASMase activity. Western blot was performed to detect protein expressions of ASMase,PPARα,PGC-1α and CPT1. Results WT+HFD group displayed hypercholesterolemia and liver dysfunction. Levels of liver triglyceride(TG)were significantly higher than those in WT+Chow group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile,the hepatocytes showed marked steatosis,balloon-like changes,and fibrosis. Protein expression and activity of ASMase in liver increased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.001),whereas CPT1,PPARα and PGC-1α expressions were not statistically significant compared with matched control group. Heterozygously ASMase-deficient mice reduced the elevated liver TG induced by HFD,as well as improving balloon-like changes and liver fibrosis. Furthermore,the expressions of PPARα,PGC-1α and CPT1 were up-regulated in ASMase+/- +HFD mice compared with WT+Chow group.Conclusions ASMase promotes hepatic steatosis and fibrosis,which may be related to its inhibition of PPARα-PGC-1α pathway.