RNA-based gene therapy has been widely used for various diseases, and extensive studies have proved that suitable delivery routes greatly help the development of RNA therapeutics. Identifying a safe and effective delivery system is key to realizing RNA therapeutics' clinical translation. Inhalation is a non-invasive pulmonary delivery modality that can enhance the retention of therapeutic agents in the lungs with negligible toxicity, thereby improving patient compliance. Inhaled RNA therapeutics are increasingly becoming an area of focus for researchers; however, only several clinical trials have explored inhaled delivery of RNA for pulmonary diseases. This review presents an overview of recent advances in inhaled delivery systems for RNA therapeutics, including viral and nonviral systems, highlighting state of the art regarding inhalation in the messenger RNA (mRNA) field. We also summarize the applications of mRNA inhalants in infectious and other lung diseases. Simultaneously, the research progresses on small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and different types of RNA are also discussed to provide new strategies for developing RNA inhalation therapy. Finally, we clarify the challenges inhaled RNA-based therapeutics face before their widespread adoption and provide insights to help advance this exciting field to the bedside.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of orexin-A-mediated regulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors for promoting motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Thirty-six newborn SD rats (aged 7-14 days) were randomized into 6 groups (n=6), including a normal control group, a sham-operated group, and 4 SCI groups with daily intrathecal injection of saline, DNQX, orexin-A, or orexin-A+DNQX for 3 consecutive days after PCI. Motor function of the rats were evaluated using blood-brain barrier (BBB) score and inclined plane test 1 day before and at 1, 3, and 7 days after SCI. For patch-clamp experiment, spinal cord slices from newborn rats in the control, sham-operated, SCI, and SCI+orexin groups were prepared, and ventral horn neurons were acutely isolated to determine the reversal potential and dynamic indicators of glutamate receptor-mediated currents under glutamate perfusion. RESULTS: At 3 and 7 days after SCI, the orexin-A-treated rats showed significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles than those with other interventions. Compared with those treated with DNQX alone, the rats receiving the combined treatment with orexin and DNQX had significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles on day 7 after PCI. In the patch-clamp experiment, the ventral horn neurons from SCI rat models exhibited obviously higher reversal potential and greater rise slope of glutamate current with shorter decay time than those from sham-operated and orexin-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS Orexin-A promotes motor function recovery in rats after SCI possibly by improving the function of the ionotropic glutamate receptors.
Animals ; Spinal Cord Injuries/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate/metabolism* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Orexins/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Animals, Newborn ; Neuropeptides/pharmacology* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology*

Compared with conventional transdermal drug delivery systems, dissolving microneedles significantly enhance drug bioavailability by penetrating the stratum corneum barrier and achieving intradermal drug delivery. In order to improve the transdermal bioavailability of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, in this study, a novel microneedle delivery system was developed for dexmedetomidine hydrochloride based on 3D printing combined with micro-molding. By systematically optimizing the microneedle geometrical parameters, array arrangement, and preparation process parameters, we determined the optimal ratio of drug-carrying matrix as 15% PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) K90. The microneedles exhibited significant drug loading gradients, with mean content of (209.99±27.56) μg/patch, (405.31±30.31) μg/patch, and (621.61±34.43) μg/patch. They showed a regular pyramidal structure under SEM and handheld electron microscopy, and their mechanical strength allowed effective penetration into the stratum corneum. The surface contact angles were all < 90°, indicating excellent hydrophilicity. The microneedles dissolved completely within 10 min after skin insertion, achieving a cumulative release rate of 90% (Higuchi model, r=0.996) during 2 hours of in vitro transdermal permeation. The cytotoxicity test and hemolysis test verified good biocompatibility. Pharmacodynamic evaluation showed that the microneedle group demonstrated pain-relieving effect within 15 min, with the pain threshold at the time point of 60 min being 3 times that in the transdermal cream group. The microneedle system developed in this study not only offers an efficient drug delivery option for patients but also establishes an innovative platform for rapid percutaneous delivery of hydrophilic drugs, demonstrating significant potential in perioperative pain management.
Dexmedetomidine/pharmacokinetics* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Needles ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Microinjections/instrumentation* ; Skin Absorption ; Skin/metabolism*

Platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) is one of the common problems in platelet transfusion, significantly impacting patient clinical outcomes and increasing the demand for allogeneic platelet transfusion. Both immune and non-immune factors contribute to PTR, among which the occurrence mechanism of immune platelet transfusion refractoriness (IPTR) involves humoral and cellular immune processes and is influenced by platelet storage, processing, and the patient's disease, therapy and immune status. This review comprehensively discusses the research related to the factors for alloimmune of IPTR, the mechanism of platelet clearance and its influencing factors. Furthermore, it explores feasible prevention and treatment measures such as platelet compatibility transfusion and clinical treatments. The aim is to provide a systematic cognition for a deeper understanding of the pathological process of platelet alloimmunization and clearance, and to provide a theoretical basis for the construction of precise clinical prevention and treatment strategies for IPTR, as well as to explore feasible research directions in this field in the future.

Objective To observe the role of dried tangerine peel in Yigong Powder improves iron metabolism and promotes red blood cell generation in anemia of chronic disease (ACD).Methods With a two-by-two factorial design,the Yigong Powder was divided into dried tangerine peel and Chenpi absent Decoction. According to the random number table method,32 zymosan-induced generalized inflammation (ZIGI) mice were randomly divided into the model group,the dried tangerine peel group,the Chenpi absent Decoction group,and the Yigong Powder group. The dried tangerine peel group,Chenpi absent Decoction group and the Yigong Powder group were given dried tangerine peel(3.083 g/kg),Chenpi absent Decoction(12.33g/kg),and Yigong Powder(15.413g/kg)by gavage to the corresponding group of mice. The model group was given an equal amount of physiological saline by gavage,and treated continuously for 7 days. After the completion of administration,the body weight of each group of mice was recorded. The hemoglobin content of each group of mice was detected using a fully automatic cell counter,the serum iron content was detected using colorimetry,the serum ferritin content was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the spleen index was calculated. The liver tissue inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interferon-γ (IFN-γ),interleukin-4 (IL-4),and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were detected using Luminex method. The mRNA expressions of liver tissue hepcidin gene (HAMP) and membrane iron transporter ( Fpn) were detected using real-time fluorescence PCR method. Results Dried tangerine peel and Chenpi absent Decoction both showed interactive effects in regulating hemoglobin,serum iron,serum ferritin content,improving spleen index,and regulating the mRNA expressions of HAMP,Fpn,as well as IL-1β and IFN-γ (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,dried tangerine peel significantly increased hemoglobin,serum iron content,and Fpn mRNA expression in ZIGI model mice,while decreasing ferritin content,spleen index,HAMP mRNA expression,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IFN-γ (P<0.05). Chenpi absent Decoction significantly increased serum iron content and Fpn mRNA expression in ZIGI model mice,while reducing spleen index,ferritin content,HAMP mRNA expression,and the levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ、IL-4 (P<0.05). Conclusion The effects of dried tangerine peel on inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) and Fpn may play a key role in the improvement effects of Yigong Powder on ACD and iron metabolism.

Objective To observe the expression and trends of tight junction proteins Occludin and zonula occlu-den-1(ZO-1)in blood-brain barrier(BBB)of rats with traumatic brain injury(TBI),and to explore the interven-tion effect of cannabidiol(CBD)on the BBB.Methods The TBI model of rat was prepared by modified"Feeney free fall method"and randomly divided into three groups:the sham-operated group(Sham group),the model group(TBI+vehicle group)and the CBD intervention group(TBI+CBD group),with 24 rats in each group.Each group was subdivided into six time points:8 h,1,2,3,5 and 7 d after injury.The expression of Occludin and ZO-1,which are closely related to the permeability of BBB,was detected by immunohistochemistry,immuno-fluorescence staining and Western blot at different points.The permeability of BBB was detected by sodium fluores-cein assay.Results The results of immunohistochemistry showed that compared with Sham group,the positive ex-pression of Occludin and ZO-1 decreased with time after brain trauma(P<0.05),and both reached the lowest level at 2 d.The expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1 were up-regulated after 1 d of CBD intervention(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed a similar trend to Western blot results,with Occludin and ZO-1 fluo-rescence expression intensity and protein expression reduced after TBI compared with Sham group(P<0.05).And the expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1 were up-regulated after 2 d of CBD intervention(P<0.05).The results of fluorescein sodium experiment showed that the BBB integrity of brain tissue was destroyed after TBI,and the permeability increased after TBI(P<0.01).The permeability of BBB decreased after CBD intervention(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of tight junction proteins Occludin and ZO-1 decreases after TBI,and the permeability of BBB is disrupted,and CBD intervention reverses the disruption of the BBB by TBI.

Objective To investigate testicular damage in traumatic brain injury(TBI)rats and to analyze the in-terventional effects of cannabidiol(CBD)on TBI-induced testicular damage.Methods 18 Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into three groups:the sham operation group(Sham group),model group(TBI group)and treatment group(TBI+CBD group).HE staining was used to observe the testicular histopathological changes in the rat testis.ELISA was used to detect testosterone level in rat serum.TUNEL staining was utilized to observe apoptosis,while immunofluorescence staining,Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to evaluate Bax,Bcl-2,Cleaved Caspase-3 and TNF-α protein and mRNA expression.Results HE staining showed pathological changes in the testes of TBI rats compared with those in the Sham group.ELISA assay showed a decrease in testosterone levels in the TBI group compared to the Sham group,but there was no significant difference(P＞0.05).Immunofluores-cence results showed that the intensity of Bax fluorescence expression increased in the TBI group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the intensity of Bax fluorescence decreased and the intensity of Bcl-2 fluorescence increased in the rats after the CBD intervention(P＜0.01).Western Blot results showed that CBD treatment in rats decreased the protein levels of testicular apoptosis-related proteins(Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3,all P＜0.05)and inflammation-related proteins(TNF-α,P＜0.01),and increased the protein level of the anti-apoptotic protein,Bcl-2(P＜0.05).The trend of RT-qPCR results was similar,with mRNA expression of Bax(P＜0.05)and TNF-α(P＜0.01)decreased and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 increased after CBD intervention compared with the TBI group(P＜0.05).Conclusion TBI induces testis injury,and CBD treatment effectively repairs apoptosis and in-flammatory in testicular tissue of TBI rats.

Objective To study the changes in erythrocyte osmotic fragility(EOF)in patients with hypercythemia,pol-ycythemia and anemia under a high altitude environment.Methods A total of 174 outpatients,inpatients and people un-dergoing physical examination in Tibet Autonomous Region People′s Hospital in October 2020 were enrolled and divided into four groups according to hemoglobin levels:the polycythemia group(n=42),the physiologic increase group(n=48),the a-nemia group(n=29)and the healthy control group(n=55).They were compared with 67 anemia patients and 67 healthy people in the laboratory of Peking Union Medical College Hospital in the same period as the plain control group.The classic EOF test method was used to compare the results of each group′s EOF.The concentrations of NaCl solution for starting he-molysis(STH)and NaCl solution for complete hemolysis(CTH)were included,and the data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software.Results There was a significant difference in CTH between Zang and Han healthy people(P＜0.05).STH in high altitude polycythemia group(0.52)was higher than that in high altitude healthy control group(0.48)(P＜0.001).Compared with plain,the median CTH of plateau anemia group(0.36)and plateau health control group(0.36)was signifi-cantly higher than that of plain anemia group(0.28)and plain control group(0.28)(P＜0.001).Multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis showed that plateau region,female polycythemia and anemia were risk factors for STH elevation.Conclusion This study finds that the EOF increases in the plateau population and patients with polycythemia,which provides reference for studying red blood cell disorders and blood transfusion strategy in the plateau region.