OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture for adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children. METHODS: Seventy-two children with AH were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 5 cases dropped out, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (36 cases, 4 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated). The observation group received deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture. The needle depth of Xiaguan (ST7) was 20-30 mm. Electroacupuncture was applied at Xiaguan (ST7), Yingxiang (LI20), Yintang (GV24⁺), Baihui (GV20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz. Warm acupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST36). The treatment was performed 30 min each time, once a week for 12 weeks. The control group was treated with mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray, one spray per nostril each time, once a day for 12 weeks. The symptom score, adenoid-to-nasopharynx ratio (A/N), and 18-item health-related quality-of-life survey for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA-18) score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the total scores of symptom, A/N, and OSA-18 scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than 83.3% (25/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture could effectively improve symptoms, reduce adenoid volume, and improve the quality of life in children with AH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hypertrophy/therapy* ; Adenoids/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

The study aims to examine the effects and potential mechanisms of disulfiram (DSF) on cardiac hypertrophic injury, focusing on the role of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-mediated pan-apoptosis (PANoptosis). H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 µmol/L) to establish an in vitro model of myocardial hypertrophy. DSF (40 µmol/L) was used to treat cardiomyocyte hypertrophic injury models, either along or in combination with the TAK1 inhibitor, 5z-7-oxozeaenol (5z-7, 0.1 µmol/L). We assessed cell damage using propidium iodide (PI) staining, measured cell viability with CCK8 assay, quantified inflammatory factor levels in cell culture media via ELISA, detected TAK1 and RIPK1 binding rates using immunoprecipitation, and analyzed the protein expression levels of key proteins in the TAK1-mediated PANoptosis pathway using Western blot. In addition, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was measured with Phalloidin staining. The results showed that Ang II significantly reduced the cellular viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes and the binding rate of TAK1 and RIPK1, significantly increased the surface area of H9C2 cardiomyocytes, PI staining positive rate, levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] in cell culture media and p-TAK1/TAK1 ratio, and significantly up-regulated key proteins in the PANoptosis pathway [pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 (p20), and GSDMD-N (p30), apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 (p17), Caspase-7 (p20), and Caspase-8 (p18), as well as necroptosis-related proteins p-MLKL, RIPK1, and RIPK3]. DSF significantly reversed the above changes induced by Ang II. Both 5z-7 and exogenous IL-1β weakened these cardioprotective effects of DSF. These results suggest that DSF may alleviate cardiac hypertrophic injury by inhibiting TAK1-mediated PANoptosis.
Animals ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/physiology* ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology* ; Disulfiram/pharmacology* ; Cardiomegaly ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line ; Angiotensin II ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Lactones ; Resorcinols ; Zearalenone/administration & dosage*

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric treadmill exercise on adaptive hypertrophy of skeletal muscle in rats. Thirty-two 3-month-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were selected and randomly assigned to one of the four groups based on their body weights: 2-week quiet control group (2C), 2-week downhill running exercise group (2E), 4-week quiet control group (4C), and 4-week downhill running exercise group (4E). The downhill running protocol for rats in the exercise groups involved slope of -16°, running speed of 16 m/min, training duration of 90 min, and 5 training sessions per week. Twenty-four hours after the final session of training, all the four groups of rats underwent an exhaustion treadmill exercise. After resting for 48 h, all the rats were euthanized and their gastrocnemius muscles were harvested for analysis. HE staining was used to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) and diameter of muscle fibers. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes in muscle fibers. Purithromycin surface labeling translation method was used to measure protein synthesis rate. Immunofluorescence double labeling was used to detect the colocalization levels of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (Lamp2)-leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LARS) and Lamp2-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIb and LARS, as well as the phosphorylation levels of mTOR, p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). The results showed that, compared with the 2C group rats, the 2E group rats showed significant increases in wet weight of gastrocnemius muscle, wet weight/body weight ratio, running distance, running time, pre- and post-exercise blood lactate levels, myofibrillar protein content, colocalization levels of Lamp2-LARS and Lamp2-mTOR, and LARS protein expression. Besides these above changes, compared with the 4C group, the 4E group further exhibited significantly increased fiber CSA, fiber diameter, protein synthesis rate, and phosphorylation levels of mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1. Compared with the quiet control groups, the exercise groups exhibited ultrastructural damage of rat gastrocnemius muscle, which was more pronounced in the 4E group. These findings suggest that eccentric treadmill exercise may promote mTOR translocation to lysosomal membrane, activating mTOR signaling via up-regulating LARS expression. This, in turn, increases protein synthesis rate through the mTOR-p70S6K-4E-BP1 signaling pathway, promoting protein deposition and inducing adaptive skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Although the ultrastructural changes of skeletal muscle are more pronounced, the relatively long training cycles during short-term exercise periods have a more significant effect on promoting gastrocnemius muscle protein synthesis and adaptive hypertrophy.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology* ; Rats ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Male ; Hypertrophy ; Adaptation, Physiological/physiology* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa/metabolism* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Resistance training promotes protein synthesis and hypertrophy, enhancing strength of skeletal muscle through the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the subsequent increases of ribosome biogenesis and translation capacity. Recent studies indicate that resistance training has positive effects on physical fitness and illness treatment, yet the mechanisms underlying hypertrophic adaptation remain insufficiently understood. Human studies focused on the correlation between mTOR signals and hypertrophy-related protein production, while animal research demonstrated that mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) is the main regulator of resistance training induced-hypertrophy. A number of upstream factors of mTORC1 have been identified, while the downstream mechanisms involved in the resistance training induced-hypertrophy are rarely studied. mTORC1 regulates the activation of satellite cells, which fuse with pre-existing fibers and contribute to hypertrophic response to resistance training. This article reviews the research progress on the mechanism of skeletal muscle hypertrophy caused by resistance training, analyzes the role of mTOR-related signals in the adaptation of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and aims to provide a basis for basic research on muscle improvements through resistance training.
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology* ; Resistance Training ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology* ; Hypertrophy ; Animals ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1

A primary hallmark of pathological cardiac hypertrophy is excess protein synthesis due to enhanced translational activity. However, regulatory mechanisms at the translational level under cardiac stress remain poorly understood. Here we examined the translational regulations in a mouse cardiac hypertrophy model induced by transaortic constriction (TAC) and explored the conservative networks versus the translatome pattern in human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The results showed that the heart weight to body weight ratio was significantly elevated, and the ejection fraction and fractional shortening significantly decreased 8 weeks after TAC. Puromycin incorporation assay showed that TAC significantly increased protein synthesis rate in the left ventricle. RNA-seq revealed 1,632 differentially expressed genes showing functional enrichment in pathways including extracellular matrix remodeling, metabolic processes, and signaling cascades associated with pathological cardiomyocyte growth. When combined with ribosome profiling analysis, we revealed that translation efficiency (TE) of 1,495 genes was enhanced, while the TE of 933 genes was inhibited following TAC. In DCM patients, 1,354 genes were upregulated versus 1,213 genes were downregulated at the translation level. Although the majority of the genes were not shared between mouse and human, we identified 93 genes, including Nos3, Kcnj8, Adcy4, Itpr1, Fasn, Scd1, etc., with highly conserved translational regulations. These genes were remarkably associated with myocardial function, signal transduction, and energy metabolism, particularly related to cGMP-PKG signaling and fatty acid metabolism. Motif analysis revealed enriched regulatory elements in the 5' untranslated regions (5'UTRs) of transcripts with differential TE, which exhibited strong cross-species sequence conservation. Our study revealed novel regulatory mechanisms at the translational level in cardiac hypertrophy and identified conserved translation-sensitive targets with potential applications to treat cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in the clinic.
Animals ; Humans ; Cardiomegaly/physiopathology* ; Ribosomes/physiology* ; Protein Biosynthesis/physiology* ; Mice ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics* ; Ribosome Profiling

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

This study explored the prescription pattern of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the treatment of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH), so as to provide a relevant theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive LVH. The study systematically searched the databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed to screen out the qualified literature on TCM treatment of hypertensive LVH and used Microsoft Excel 2021 to establish the relevant prescription database. It also counted the frequency, property, flavor, and meridian affiliation of TCM in the prescriptions and classified their efficacy. The study used Lantern 5.0 and Rstudio software to analyze the hidden structural models and association rules of the high-frequency TCM with a frequency of >3.50% and adopted Origin 2024 software to visualize the data, so as to explore the prescription pattern of TCM in treating hypertensive LVH. The results showed that a total of 128 TCM prescriptions were included, involving 163 TCM with a total frequency of 1 242. The high-frequency TCM included Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis, Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Poria, and Chuanxiong Rhizoma, with the main efficacy from blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs, tonic herbs, and liver-calming and wind-extinguishing herbs. The latent structure analysis(LSA) identified 10 latent variables, 20 latent classes, 7 comprehensive clustering models, and 23 core prescriptions. It was speculated that the common syndromes of hypertensive LVH included blood stasis obstructing the collaterals, ascending hyperactivity of liver Yang, Yin deficiency with Yang hyperactivity, and intermingled phlegm and blood stasis. The association rule analysis yielded 33 strong association rules, with the highest comprehensive association rule being Gastrodiae Rhizoma→Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis. Hypertensive LVH is characterized by asthenia in origin and asthenia in superficiality, with Yin deficiency and Qi deficiency as the origin and blood stasis and phlegm as the superficiality. Clinical treatment focuses on activating blood circulation, resolving stasis, tonifying Qi, and nourishing Yin, combined with syndrome-specific therapies such as calming wind and stopping convulsions, clearing heat, eliminating dampness and resolving phlegm, and promoting diuresis and reducing swelling.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Data Mining ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications* ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/physiopathology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drug Prescriptions

This study aims to explore the specific mechanism by which puerarin inhibits ferroptosis and improves the myocardial contractile function in myocardial hypertrophy through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) signaling pathway. The hypertrophic cardiomyocyte model was established using phenylephrine, and H9c2 cells were divided into control group, model group, puerarin group, and puerarin+ML385 group. Cell viability and surface area were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) and immunofluorescence experiments. The mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca~(2+) concentration were measured. The ferroptosis-related indicators were detected by biochemical and fluorescence staining methods. The expression of proteins related to ferroptosis and the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. A myocardial hypertrophy model was established, and 40 rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, puerarin group, and puerarin+Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385) group, with 10 rats in each group. Echocardiogram, hemodynamic parameters, and myocardial hypertrophy parameters were measured. Histopathological changes of myocardial tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining. Biochemical methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and fluorescence staining were used to detect inflammatory factors and ferroptosis-related indicators. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of proteins related to ferroptosis and the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway. Cell experiments showed that puerarin intervention significantly enhanced the viability of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes, reduced their surface area, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca~(2+) homeostasis. Mechanism studies revealed that puerarin promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation, upregulated the expression of HO-1, solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and decreased malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS), and iron levels. These protective effects were reversed by ML385. In animal experiments, puerarin improved cardiac function in rats with myocardial hypertrophy, alleviated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, inhibited inflammatory responses and ferroptosis, and promoted nuclear Nrf2 translocation and HO-1 expression. However, combined intervention with ML385 led to deterioration of hemodynamics and a rebound in ferroptosis marker levels. In conclusion, puerarin may inhibit cardiomyocyte ferroptosis through the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby improving myocardial contractile function in myocardial hypertrophy.
Animals ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Rats ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Isoflavones/pharmacology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Cardiomegaly/genetics* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Antioxidant Response Elements/drug effects* ; Myocardial Contraction/drug effects* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Cell Line

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effectiveness of the modified edge resection technique for composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction with preserved microstructures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 36 female patients, who were diagnosed with composite hypertrophy of the labia minora and clitoral hood and admitted between September 2022 and December 2024. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 45 years (mean, 27.4 years). The primary surgical motivations included poor appearance alone (8 cases), functional impairment alone (14 cases), both poor appearance and functional impairment (12 cases), and psychological factors (2 cases). All patients were treated with the modified edge resection technique for composite labiaminora and clitoral hood reduction with preserved microstructures. The surgical technique emphasized precise adjustments to the clitoral-labial junction and optimization of the anterior labial structure to ensure a natural postoperative appearance and functional integrity. Postoperative follow-up assessed improvements in appearance and function of clitoral hood and labia minora, complications, and overall patient satisfaction. RESULTS: One patient exhibited suboptimal wound healing, while the remaining patients experienced no complications such as postoperative bleeding, hematoma, wound dehiscence, suture cutting, or labial edema and enlargement. Thirty patients were followed up with a duration of 1-6 months (mean, 2.4 months). In the early postoperative period, 2 patients perceived asymmetry of the bilateral labia minora; 1 underwent labial revision surgery, while the other achieved near-symmetry without intervention. At last follow-up, 25 patients experienced varying degrees of relief from preoperative functional impairments, while the remaining patients showed no improvement; 27 patients reported varying degrees of improvement in appearance, 2 reported no change, and 1 reported a worse appearance compared to preoperatively. Sixteen patients were very satisfied with the surgical results, 8 were satisfied, 5 were moderate satisfied, and 1 was dissatisfied, with a satisfaction rate of 80% (24/30). CONCLUSION The modified edge resection technique for composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction with preserved microstructures which preserves and optimizes fine anatomical structures through precise adjustments at the clitoral-labial junction, achieves high patient satisfaction with both aesthetic and functional outcomes while minimizing postoperative complications.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Vulva/pathology* ; Clitoris/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Adolescent ; Patient Satisfaction ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Hypertrophy/surgery*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Circ-MYOCD back-splicing and its regulatory role in myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS: Sanger sequencing and RNase R assays were performed to verify the circularity and stability of Circ-MYOCD, whose subcellular distribution was determined by nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation. Bioinformatics analysis and mass spectrometry from pull-down assays were conducted to predict the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) interacting with Circ-MYOCD. In rat cardiomyocytes H9C2 cells, the effects of HNRNPH1 and HNRNPL knockdown and overexpression on Circ-MYOCD back-splicing were evaluated. In a H9C2 cell model of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced myocardial hypertrophy, the expression of HNRNPH1 was detected, the effects of HNRNPH1 knockdown and overexpression on progression of myocardial hypertrophy were assessed, and the regulatory effect of HNRNPH1 on Circ-MYOCD back-splicing was analyzed. RESULTS: Sanger sequencing confirmed that the junction primers could amplify the correct Circ-MYOCD sequence. RNase R and nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation assays showed that Circ-MYOCD was stable and predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. Bioinformatics analysis and mass spectrometry from the Circ-MYOCD pull-down assay identified HNRNPH1 and HNRNPL as the RBPs interacting with Circ-MYOCD. In H9C2 cells, HNRNPH1 knockdown significantly enhanced while its overexpression inhibited Circ-MYOCD back-splicing; HNRNPH1 overexpression obviously increased the expressions of myocardial hypertrophy markers ANP and BNP, while its knockdown produced the opposite effect. In Ang II-induced H9C2 cells, which exhibited a significant increase of HNRNPH1 expression and increased expressions of ANP and BNP, HNRNPH1 knockdown obviously increased Circ-MYOCD expression, decreased MYOCD expression and lowered both ANP and BNP expressions. CONCLUSIONS HNRNPH1 regulates Circ-MYOCD back-splicing to influence the progression of myocardial hypertrophy.
Animals ; Rats ; RNA, Circular/genetics* ; Cardiomegaly/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group F-H/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; RNA Splicing ; Angiotensin II ; RNA-Binding Proteins