OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC). METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with HSPC and renal-yang deficiency at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Mayang Miao Autonomous County from 1st April 2021 to 30th April 2024 were randomly divided into 2 groups. The patients in the control group were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). And the patients in treatment group were treated with Shenqi Pills orally on the basis of the control group. The baseline data of the two groups were analyzed. After 36 months of treatment, the differences between the two groups were compared in terms of overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA response rate, Functional Assessment Scale for Prostate Cancer Therapy (FACT-P), Chinese medicine evidence scores, testosterone level and safety. RESULTS: A total of 80 study subjects were included in this study, including 42 cases in the treatment group and 38 cases in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the baseline data between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). At the end of the observation period, a statistically significant difference in OS was found in the treatment group compared to the control group in the subgroup of patients with a disease duration ranged of 0-6 months (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in PSA levels in the treatment group at 3 months (P>0.05). And the differences in the proportion of PSA50 (98.1% vs 91.4%), PSA90 (92.9% vs 84.6%) and the proportion of decrease in PSA (56.7% vs 33.8%) in the treatment group were found compared to those in the control group after 6 months of tre atment. After 12 months of treatment, the scores of FACT-4 and renal-yang deficiency in the treatment group were (95.28±7.93) and (15.73±5.70) respectively, compared to the scores in the control group (［85.46±10.12］ and ［18.20±4.27］ (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone (［0.60±0.24］ nmol/L vs ［1.09±2.10］ nmol/L) between the two groups (P>0.05). After 24 months of treatment, there were significant differences in in the FACT-4 total score (［97.95±7.54］ vs ［80.33±8.58］), renal-yang deficiency syndrome score (［14.64±5.15］ vs ［24.94±8.75］) between the treatment group and the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ( ［0.73±1.01］ nmol/L vs ［0.59±0.25］ nmol/L) between the two groups (P> 0.05). Better therapeutic results were showed in the treatment group in terms of total FACT-P score, physical situation score, social and family situation score, emotional state score, functional state score, additional score and renal-yang deficiency symptom score (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no serious adverse reaction in the course of treatment, and no obvious abnormality was found in the liver and kidney function of the patients from two groups. CONCLUSION Endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills is safe and effective in HSPC and can reduce the risk of death in HSPC patients, and the earlier the intervention, the longer the overall survival of the patients. In addition, this treatment regimen can increase the PSA response rate, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the renal-yang deficiency syndrome score without the risk of elevating serum testosterone levels.
Humans ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Flos Farfarae (FF) fumigation on cigarette smoke-induced lung injury mice, and analyze the metabolic profile of lung tissue by metabolomics. All animal experiments were conducted under the guidance and approval of the Animal Ethics Review Committee of Shanxi University (Approval number: SXULL2019014). By using HS-GC-MS to analyze volatile components of Flos Farfarae, 23 compounds were identified. The results showed that FF fumigation improved the lung tissue morphology of cigarette smoke-induced lung injury mice, lowered the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The lung tissue samples were applied for metabolomic analysis based on UHPLC-QTOF MS, the results showed that 70 metabolites were changed in the lung tissue of mice after cigarette exposure, and 35 of them could be regulated, including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), 12-HETE, adenosine, and xanthine. These metabolites, such as LPC, 12-HETE, adenosine, and xanthine were mainly associated with the body's inflammatory response. It was observed that these metabolites are primarily involved in purine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism pathways. These findings suggest that the volatile terpenoids in the FF may regulate the metabolites associated with the inflammatory response in the lung tissue, such as lysophosphatidylcholine, 12-HETE, and adenosine, which could further alleviate lung inflammation induced by cigarette smoke through the metabolic pathways of purine metabolism and others. This study proved the scientific basis of the traditional application of FF fumigation, and provided a theoretical basis for the further product development.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA(miR)-30a-regulated MAPK pathway on the formation of intercalation,inflammatory factors and vasoconstriction in a rat model of aortic coarctation.Methods Fifty SD rats were selected to establish the rat model of aortic coarctation,and were randomly divided into control group,model group,miR-NC group,miR-30a group and miR-30a inhibitor group,10 rats in each group.Histopathological changes in the aortic tissue and changes in the elastic fibers and collagen fibers of the aortic mesothelium were observed;The expression of miR-30a,systolic blood pressure before and after the intervention and the expression of serum inflammatory factors in each group were measured by PCR,tail artery manometry and ELISA;Matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-6,MMP-2 protein expression and MAPK pathway were measured by Western blotting in each group.The expression of MMP-6,MMP-2 and MAPK pathway related proteins were measured by Western blotting.Results The miR-30a inhibitor group improved the degree of vessel wall tearing and disorganized internal arterial wall arrangement;The miR-30a group improved vascular remodeling;miR-30a expression was higher in the model group compared with the control group,and lower in the miR-30a group and miR-30a inhibitor group compared with the miR-NC group,P<0.05;Before the intervention,the difference in systolic blood pressure between the groups compared was not statistically significant,P>0.05;Compared with the control group,systolic blood pressure was higher in the model group,higher expression in the miR-30a group and lower expression in the miR-30a inhibitor group compared with the miR-NC group,P<0.05;compared with the control group,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β expression was higher in the model group,higher expression in the miR-30a group compared with the miR-NC group,lower expression in the miR-30a inhibitor group,P<0.05;higher expression of TNF-α,MMP-6,MMP-2,Ras,Raf,P38 MAPK,ERK1/2 proteins in the model group compared with the control group,higher expression in the miR-30a group compared with the miR-NC group,lower expression in the miR-30a inhibitor group,P<0.05.Conclusion MiR-30a is involved in the process of aortic coarctation formation,inflammatory response,and regulation of aortic coarctation vascular remodeling,possibly through regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and the HALP score with the prognosis of patients with middle-to-advanced prostate cancer. Methods:A total of 168 patients with middle-to-advanced prostate cancer admitted to three comprehensive tertiary hospitals were observed from 2013 to 2018. Patient medical records were reviewed,and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were followed up. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and the optimal cut-off value of PNI and HALP scores for predicting patients' prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves,and the Log-rank test and Cox regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of patient OS and PFS. Results:The follow-up period was 55 (38.5,63) months,with 87 deaths (51.79％) during this period. The median OS and PFS times were 50 months and 45 months,respectively. The 3-year OS and PFS survival rates were 72.02％ and 64.29％,respectively. The areas under the ROC curve for predicting patients' prognosis with PNI and HALP scores were 0.912 and 0.828,respectively,with optimal cut-off values of 46.3 and 31.64 (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression showed that PNI<46.3,HALP score<31.64,and age ≥ 60 years were risk factors for OS with HR (95％ CI) of 6.016 (3.273～11.056),2.537 (1.531～4.205),and 1.776 (1.221～2.967),respectively (P<0.05). AJCC stage Ⅳ,PNI<46.3,and HALP<31.64 were risk factors for PFS with HR (95％ CI) of 2.777 (1.381～5.419),5.940 (3.245～10.872),and 2.481 (1.498～4.109),respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion:PNI and HALP scores can predict the prognosis of patients with middle-to-advanced prostate cancer.

Objective To explore the incidence and risk factors of perioperative ischemic stroke in non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical surgeries and its correlation with preoperative risk assessment of cerebrovascular events,so as to guide perioperative risk management.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 40 patients aged≥18 years who underwent non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical surgeries and experienced perioperative ischemic stroke in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from January 2015 to January 2022,forming the stroke group.A control group of 160 patients without perioperative ischemic stroke was selected in a 1:4 case-control ratio,matched for gender,age,date of operation,and the surgeon.Clinical data and preoperative risk assessment of cerebrovascular events(including the single or combined application of head CT/MRI,transcranial Doppler ultrasound,carotid ultrasound,and neurological consultation)of the two groups of patients were collected and statistically analyzed.Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with perioperative ischemic stroke.Results The incidence of perioperative ischemic stroke was 0.042%.Multiple logistic analysis results showed that hypertension(OR=7.858,95%CI 2.175-28.388,P=0.002),hyperlipidemia(OR=4.457,95%CI 1.320-15.049,P=0.016),renal insufficiency(OR=8.277,95%CI 1.480-46.282,P=0.016),and intraoperative hypotension(OR=3.862,95%CI 1.211-12.317,P=0.022)were independent risk factors for perioperative ischemic stroke in non-cardiac and non-neurological surgeries;preoperative cerebrovascular risk assessment(OR=0.130,95%CI 0.031-0.542,P=0.005)was a protective factor against it.Conclusions The incidence of perioperative ischemic stroke in non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical surgery is low but has a poor prognosis.Hypertension,hyperlipidemia,renal insufficiency,and postoperative hypotension are risk factors for perioperative ischemic stroke,while preoperative cerebrovascular event risk assessment is beneficial to reducing its incidence.

Infectious bone defect is bone defect with infection or as a result of treatment of bone infection. It requires surgical intervention, and the treatment processes are complex and long, which include bone infection control,bone defect repair and even complex soft tissue reconstructions in some cases. Failure to achieve the goals in any step may lead to the failure of the overall treatment. Therefore, infectious bone defect has been a worldwide challenge in the field of orthopedics. Conventionally, sequestrectomy, bone grafting, bone transport, and systemic/local antibiotic treatment are standard therapies. Radical debridement remains one of the cornerstones for the management of bone infection. However, the scale of debridement and the timing and method of bone defect reconstruction remain controversial. With the clinical application of induced membrane technique, effective infection control and rapid bone reconstruction have been achieved in the management of infectious bone defect. The induced membrane technique has attracted more interests and attention, but the lack of understanding the basic principles of infection control and technical details may hamper the clinical outcomes of induced membrane technique and complications can possibly occur. Therefore, the Chinese Orthopedic Association organized domestic orthopedic experts to formulate An evidence-based clinical guideline for the treatment of infectious bone defect with induced membrane technique ( version 2023) according to the evidence-based method and put forward recommendations on infectious bone defect from the aspects of precise diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, operation procedure, postoperative management and rehabilitation, so as to provide useful references for the treatment of infectious bone defect with induced membrane technique.