Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of PD, and numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of modulations in the intestinal microbiota. This review provides insights into the characterization of the gut microbiota in patients with PD and highlights associations with clinical symptoms and underlying mechanisms. The discussion underscores the increased influence of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PD. While the relationship is not fully elucidated, existing research demonstrates a strong correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and disease development, and further investigation is warranted to explain the specific underlying mechanisms.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Dysbiosis/microbiology*

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety profile of antaitasvir phosphate combined with yiqibuvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) of various genotypes, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:394 cases with CHC from 22 centers were collected from October 2021 to April 2023. They were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental drugs (antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg) or placebo treatment in a 3∶1 ratio. The patients were administered drugs once a day for 12 consecutive weeks, and then followed up for 24 weeks after treatment cessation. All subjects were unblinded at the four-week follow-up following drug discontinuation, with the experimental drug group continuing to complete subsequent post-discontinuation follow-up. The placebo group was switched to receive the experimental drugs for a repeated 12-week treatment period and followed up for another 24 weeks after discontinuation of the drug (placebo delayed treatment phase).The sustained virologic response rate (SVR12) was observed for subjects in the double-blind phase and the placebo delayed-treatment phase at 12 weeks after treatment cessation.Virological resistance analysis was performed on subjects who failed treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR12. The number and percentage of subjects who achieved "HCV RNA

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum annexin A1 (ANXA1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α (MIP-1α), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure and their predictive value.Methods:A total of 197 elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure admitted to the Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively selected, and divided into pulmonary infection group (36 cases) and non pulmonary infection group (161 cases) according to whether the patients had pulmonary infection during hospitalization. Serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 levels were detected in two groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of lung infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure. The predictive value of serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 levels on lung infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The incidence of pulmonary infection in 197 elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure was 18.27%(36/197). Compared with the non pulmonary infection group, the pulmonary infection group had higher levels of serum ANXA1, MIP-1 α, sTREM-1, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and higher proportion of New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade Ⅳ and diabetes, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NYHA cardiac function grade Ⅳ, diabetes mellitus and elevated levels of procalcitonin, ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 were independent risk factors for pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve predicted by serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 combined was 0.909, which was larger than that predicted by serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 alone. Conclusions:Elevated levels of serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 are independent risk factors for pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure, and can be used as auxiliary predictors of pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure.

AIM:To study the clinical characteris-tics of hyperuricemia(HUA)in ulcerative colitis(UC)patients and the role of uric acid in UC through clinical and animal experiments.METH-ODS:The clinical research included UC patients hospitalized for the first time in the Department of Gastroenterology,Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Uni-versity of Chinese Medicine from April 2019 to April 2023.The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of HUA,and the clin-ical data and laboratory indicators were collected.In the animal experiment,24 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into ctrl group(Ctrl),model group(DSS),potassium oxonate group(PO),and uric acid group(UA).The body mass index,dis-ease activity index(DAI)score,pathology,inflam-mation,and intestinal barrier function indexes were compared among groups.RESULTS:The clini-cal research showed that the prevalence of HUA in UC patients was 9％(41/455).Patients with HUA had a significantly higher proportion of male and BMI levels,and more extensive colonic types(P＜0.05)than those without.In laboratory indicators,patients with HUA had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein and triglyceride,and a substan-tially lower level of high-density lipoprotein choles-terol(P＜0.05)than those without.The animal ex-periment found that compared with the Ctrl group,the DSS group significantly decreased body weight,shortened colon length,and increased DAI score.Pathological results showed a large number of in-flammatory infiltrations and significant damage to the crypt structure.Moreover,the expression level of IL-6 in colon tissue was significantly increased,and the expression levels of MUC-2 and ZO-1 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the DSS group,both the PO group and UA group could aggravate the above symptoms,indicating that uric acid has a significant pro-inflammatory ef-fect on DSS-induced UC model mice.CONCLUSION:HUA is not uncommon in UC patients and such pa-tients have a wider range of lesions and more se-vere inflammation.The mechanism may be that high uric acid aggravates inflammation.

OBJECTIVE To explore the possible mechanism of Qingchang Huashi Formula in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a control(Ctrl)group,a model group,a low-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula group,a high-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula group,and a 5-aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA)group based on body weight.The UC model was established in mice by drinking 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)for 6 d.On d7 and d8,DSS was withdrawn and ultrapure water was given daily.Ultrapure water or different drugs were administered orally throughout the experiment:Ctrl and model groups received 0.2 mL of ultrapure water,while the low-dose and high-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula groups re-ceived 6 and 12 g·kg-1,respectively,and the concentration of 5-ASA was 100 mg·kg-1.Body weight and fecal characteristics of the mice were recorded daily,and the experiment ended on d9.Serum was collected from mice for serum metabolomics and inflam-matory factor expression analysis.The colons of the mice were isolated and their lengths were measured,and the distal colon was ob-tained for pathological analysis.The livers and colons of the mice were isolated for subsequent total bile acid analysis.RESULTS Compared with the Ctrl group,the model group mice showed a significant decrease in body weight and colon length(P<0.000 1),a remarkable increase in disease activity index(P<0.000 1).The concentration of inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α was signifi-cantly increased(P<0.000 1).High-dose and low-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula,as well as 5-ASA could significantly alleviate the loss of body weight,increased DAI,colon shortening,and disappearance of colon tissue morphology in mice.Through ELISA tes-ting,it was found the concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α was remarkably decreased after Qingchang Huashi Formula and 5-ASA treat-ment(P<0.01,P<0.000 1).Through LC-MS analysis of serum metabolites and KEGG enrichment analysis,we found that interven-tion with Qingchang Huashi Formula could significantly affect the primary bile acid synthesis,secondary bile acid synthesis and bile se-cretion.Using total bile acid reagent kit,we found that the total bile acid in the liver of colitis mice did not show significant changes when compared with the Ctrl group of mice,and the concentration of total bile acid in the serum was significantly reduced,the concen-tration of TBA in the colon was significantly increased(P<0.05).After intervention with the Qingchang Huashi Formula,the concen-tration of total bile acid in the serum of mice was significantly increased,while the concentration of total bile acid in the colon was re-duced(P<0.05).Compared with mice in Ctrl group,the levels of deoxycholic acid(DCA)and taurine deoxycholic acid(TDCA)in serum of colitis mice were significantly reduced(P<0.05).After intervention with Qingchang Huashi Formula,the levels of DCA,TD-CA and Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)in serum of mice were restored(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Qingchang Huashi Formula can effectively relieve DSS-induced colitis in mice,reducing immune inflammatory response,reregulating the disorder of serum metabolism and enterohepatic circulation.

OBJECTIVE To explore the possible mechanism of Qingchang Huashi Formula in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a control(Ctrl)group,a model group,a low-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula group,a high-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula group,and a 5-aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA)group based on body weight.The UC model was established in mice by drinking 3%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)for 6 d.On d7 and d8,DSS was withdrawn and ultrapure water was given daily.Ultrapure water or different drugs were administered orally throughout the experiment:Ctrl and model groups received 0.2 mL of ultrapure water,while the low-dose and high-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula groups re-ceived 6 and 12 g·kg-1,respectively,and the concentration of 5-ASA was 100 mg·kg-1.Body weight and fecal characteristics of the mice were recorded daily,and the experiment ended on d9.Serum was collected from mice for serum metabolomics and inflam-matory factor expression analysis.The colons of the mice were isolated and their lengths were measured,and the distal colon was ob-tained for pathological analysis.The livers and colons of the mice were isolated for subsequent total bile acid analysis.RESULTS Compared with the Ctrl group,the model group mice showed a significant decrease in body weight and colon length(P<0.000 1),a remarkable increase in disease activity index(P<0.000 1).The concentration of inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α was signifi-cantly increased(P<0.000 1).High-dose and low-dose Qingchang Huashi Formula,as well as 5-ASA could significantly alleviate the loss of body weight,increased DAI,colon shortening,and disappearance of colon tissue morphology in mice.Through ELISA tes-ting,it was found the concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α was remarkably decreased after Qingchang Huashi Formula and 5-ASA treat-ment(P<0.01,P<0.000 1).Through LC-MS analysis of serum metabolites and KEGG enrichment analysis,we found that interven-tion with Qingchang Huashi Formula could significantly affect the primary bile acid synthesis,secondary bile acid synthesis and bile se-cretion.Using total bile acid reagent kit,we found that the total bile acid in the liver of colitis mice did not show significant changes when compared with the Ctrl group of mice,and the concentration of total bile acid in the serum was significantly reduced,the concen-tration of TBA in the colon was significantly increased(P<0.05).After intervention with the Qingchang Huashi Formula,the concen-tration of total bile acid in the serum of mice was significantly increased,while the concentration of total bile acid in the colon was re-duced(P<0.05).Compared with mice in Ctrl group,the levels of deoxycholic acid(DCA)and taurine deoxycholic acid(TDCA)in serum of colitis mice were significantly reduced(P<0.05).After intervention with Qingchang Huashi Formula,the levels of DCA,TD-CA and Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)in serum of mice were restored(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Qingchang Huashi Formula can effectively relieve DSS-induced colitis in mice,reducing immune inflammatory response,reregulating the disorder of serum metabolism and enterohepatic circulation.

AIM:To study the clinical characteris-tics of hyperuricemia(HUA)in ulcerative colitis(UC)patients and the role of uric acid in UC through clinical and animal experiments.METH-ODS:The clinical research included UC patients hospitalized for the first time in the Department of Gastroenterology,Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Uni-versity of Chinese Medicine from April 2019 to April 2023.The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of HUA,and the clin-ical data and laboratory indicators were collected.In the animal experiment,24 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into ctrl group(Ctrl),model group(DSS),potassium oxonate group(PO),and uric acid group(UA).The body mass index,dis-ease activity index(DAI)score,pathology,inflam-mation,and intestinal barrier function indexes were compared among groups.RESULTS:The clini-cal research showed that the prevalence of HUA in UC patients was 9％(41/455).Patients with HUA had a significantly higher proportion of male and BMI levels,and more extensive colonic types(P＜0.05)than those without.In laboratory indicators,patients with HUA had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein and triglyceride,and a substan-tially lower level of high-density lipoprotein choles-terol(P＜0.05)than those without.The animal ex-periment found that compared with the Ctrl group,the DSS group significantly decreased body weight,shortened colon length,and increased DAI score.Pathological results showed a large number of in-flammatory infiltrations and significant damage to the crypt structure.Moreover,the expression level of IL-6 in colon tissue was significantly increased,and the expression levels of MUC-2 and ZO-1 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the DSS group,both the PO group and UA group could aggravate the above symptoms,indicating that uric acid has a significant pro-inflammatory ef-fect on DSS-induced UC model mice.CONCLUSION:HUA is not uncommon in UC patients and such pa-tients have a wider range of lesions and more se-vere inflammation.The mechanism may be that high uric acid aggravates inflammation.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety profile of antaitasvir phosphate combined with yiqibuvir in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) of various genotypes, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:394 cases with CHC from 22 centers were collected from October 2021 to April 2023. They were randomly assigned to receive either the experimental drugs (antaitasvir phosphate 100 mg+yiqibuvir 600 mg) or placebo treatment in a 3∶1 ratio. The patients were administered drugs once a day for 12 consecutive weeks, and then followed up for 24 weeks after treatment cessation. All subjects were unblinded at the four-week follow-up following drug discontinuation, with the experimental drug group continuing to complete subsequent post-discontinuation follow-up. The placebo group was switched to receive the experimental drugs for a repeated 12-week treatment period and followed up for another 24 weeks after discontinuation of the drug (placebo delayed treatment phase).The sustained virologic response rate (SVR12) was observed for subjects in the double-blind phase and the placebo delayed-treatment phase at 12 weeks after treatment cessation.Virological resistance analysis was performed on subjects who failed treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR12. The number and percentage of subjects who achieved "HCV RNA

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum annexin A1 (ANXA1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α (MIP-1α), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure and their predictive value.Methods:A total of 197 elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure admitted to the Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively selected, and divided into pulmonary infection group (36 cases) and non pulmonary infection group (161 cases) according to whether the patients had pulmonary infection during hospitalization. Serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 levels were detected in two groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of lung infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure. The predictive value of serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 levels on lung infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The incidence of pulmonary infection in 197 elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure was 18.27%(36/197). Compared with the non pulmonary infection group, the pulmonary infection group had higher levels of serum ANXA1, MIP-1 α, sTREM-1, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and higher proportion of New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade Ⅳ and diabetes, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NYHA cardiac function grade Ⅳ, diabetes mellitus and elevated levels of procalcitonin, ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 were independent risk factors for pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve predicted by serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 combined was 0.909, which was larger than that predicted by serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 alone. Conclusions:Elevated levels of serum ANXA1, MIP-1α and sTREM-1 are independent risk factors for pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure, and can be used as auxiliary predictors of pulmonary infection in elderly patients with coronary heart disease combined with heart failure.

Objective To systematically explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)common symptoms,syndrome elements,clinical syndrome differentiation,and medication rules of coronary microvascular disease(CMVD),and to provide a reference for quantitative criteria of clinical differentiation of CMVD,specification of the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of TCM clinical syndrome,and guidance of clinical medication.Methods The databases including CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,and SinoMed were searched for research papers on the treatment of CMVD by TCM published from database inception to May 16,2023.Relevant information of the included literature was extracted and the database was established.Then,the frequency statistics of symptoms,syndrome elements,syndrome types and Chinese medicinals were carried out.Latent structural models were constructed using Latern 5.0 and Rstudio softwares respectively for comprehensive clustering and association rule analysis,so as to explore the symptom characteristics,syndrome elements distribution,common syndromes and medication rules for TCM treatment of CMVD.Results A total of 107 literature were included,involving 36 syndromes,17 syndrome elements,121 symptoms and 143 Chinese medicinals.It was speculated that the main syndrome element of CMVD was blood stasis,followed by qi deficiency,qi stagnation,phlegm turbidity,yin deficiency and yang deficiency.The main type of syndrome was qi deficiency and blood stasis,followed by heart blood stasis obstruction,qi stagnation and blood stasis,phlegm blended with stasis,qi-yin deficiency,etc..The main medicinals were Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Angelica Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix.The medicinals used in the treatment of CMVD were classified as blood-activating and stasis-resolving drugs,deficiency-tonifying drugs,qi-regulating drugs in terms of their efficacy.Conclusion The location of CMVD is in heart,and related to liver and kidney.The syndrome of CMVD is deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality.Blood stasis runs through the development of the disease.The treatment is mainly to activate blood circulation and remove stasis,activate meridians and relieve pain,which should be supplemented with the therapies of tonifying and invigorating qi,soothing the liver and regulating qi,dispelling phlegm and dissipating masses according to the patients'syndromes.