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*

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

OBJECTIVE: Huachansu injection (HCSI), a promising anti-cancer Chinese medicine injection, has been reported to have the potential for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The objective of this study is to explore the synergistic and detoxifying effects of HCSI when used in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11). METHODS: To investigate the effect of HCSI on anti-CRC efficacy and intestinal toxicity of CPT-11, we measured changes in the biological behavior of LoVo cells in vitro, and anti-tumor effects in LoVo cell xenograft nude mice models in vivo. Meanwhile, the effect of HCSI on intestinal toxicity and the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression was investigated in the CPT-11-induced colitis mouse model. Subsequently, we measured the effect of HCSI and its 13 constituent bufadienolides on the expression of UGT1A1 and organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B3 (OATP1B3) in HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The combination index (CI) results showed that the combination of HCSI and CPT-11 exhibited a synergistic effect (CI < 1), which significantly suppressing the LoVo cell migration, enhancing G2/M and S phase arrest, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, the damage to intestinal tissues was attenuated by HCSI in CPT-11-induced colitis model, while the increased expression of UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells and in mouse was observed. CONCLUSION The co-therapy with HCSI alleviated the intestinal toxicity induced by CPT-11 and exerted an enhanced anti-CRC effect. The detoxifying mechanism may be related to the increased expression of UGT1A1 and OATP1B3 by HCSI and its bufadienolides components. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical insights and strategies to improve CRC patient outcomes. Please cite this article as: Jiang B, Meng ZY, Hu YJ, Chen JJ, Zong L, Xu LY, Zhang XQ, Zhang JX, Han YL. Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):576-590.
Irinotecan/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics* ; Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Up-Regulation/drug effects* ; Male ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Hep G2 Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Amphibian Venoms

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of cylindrical-shaped and conical-shaped cuff catheters for airway closure using different pressure measurement methods at the lowest safe pressure and to guide the clinical application.Methods:Twenty-four patients with endotracheal intubation admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital from December 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled. Leakage test in vitro was performed on the secretion on the patients' cuff. The needle and plunger from 20 mL syringe was separated, the syringe was sealed with adhesive, and the syringe nozzle was filled thoroughly to create a tracheal model. Consecutively, both cylindrical-shaped and conical-shaped cuff catheters were inserted into the simulated trachea, and the cuff pressure was calibrated to 20 cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O≈0.098 kPa) before commencing the experiment. The viscosity of the secretion on the patients' cuff was classified (grade Ⅰ was watery subglottic secretion, grade Ⅱ was thick subglottic secretion, grade Ⅲ was gel-like subglottic secretion), and the same viscosity secretion was injected into the catheter cuff. Utilizing a self-control approach, intermittent pressure measurement was initially conducted on both the cylindrical-shaped and conical-shaped cuff by improved pressure measurement method (intermittent pressure measurement group), followed by continuous pressure measurement experiment (continuous pressure measurement group). The leakage volume of the three viscosity subglottic secretions and the values of cuff pressure measurement of different shaped cuff catheters at 4, 6, 8 hours of inflation were recorded. Results:A total of 180 retention samples were extracted from 24 patients with tracheal intubation during ventilation, with 90 samples in each of the two groups using different pressure measurement methods, and 30 samples of retention materials with different viscosities in each group. In the intermittent pressure measurement group, at 4 hours of inflation, all samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ on cylindrical-shaped cuff leaked, while 3 samples of secretion with grade Ⅲ also leaked. For conical-shaped cuff, 28 samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ leaked, only 2 samples of secretion with grade Ⅱ leaked, and there was no leak for secretion with grade Ⅲ. At 6 hours of inflation, all samples of the three viscosity secretions on different shaped cuffs leaked. The leakage was gradually increased with the prolongation of inflation time. In the continuous pressure measurement group, at 4 hours of inflation, all samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ on cylindrical-shaped cuff leaked, while 29 samples of secretion with grade Ⅱ leaked, and there was no leak for secretion with grade Ⅲ. For the conical-shaped cuff, 26 samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ leaked, and there was no leak for secretion with grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ. At 6 hours of inflation, the conical-shaped cuff still had no leak for secretion with grade Ⅲ. As the inflation time prolonged, the leakage of subglottic secretion on different shaped cuffs in both groups was gradually increased. At 8 hours of inflation, all samples experienced leakage, but the leakage of subglottic secretion on different shaped cuffs in the continuous pressure measurement group was significantly reduced as compared with the intermittent pressure measurement group [leakage for secretion with grade Ⅲ (mL): 1.00 (0.00, 1.25) vs. 2.00 (1.00, 2.00) on the cylindrical-shaped cuff, 1.00 (0.00, 1.00) vs. 2.00 (2.00, 2.00) on the conical-shaped cuff, both P < 0.01]. The values of pressure measurement of cuffs with different shapes at different time points of inflation in the continuous pressure measurement group were within the set range (20-21 cmH 2O). The cuff pressure at 4 hours of inflation in the intermittent pressure measurement group was significantly lower than the initial value (cmH 2O: 18.3±0.6 vs. 20.0±0.0 in the cylindrical-shaped cuff, 18.4±0.6 vs. 20.0±0.0 in the conical-shaped cuff, both P < 0.01), and the cuff pressure in both shaped cuffs showed a significant decrease tendency as inflation time prolonged. However, there was no statistically significant difference in values of pressure measurement between the different shaped cuff catheters. Conclusions:Continuous pressure monitoring devices can maintain the effective sealing of conical-shaped cuff catheters at the lowest safe pressure. When using an improved pressure measurement method for intermittent pressure measurement and/or using a cylindrical cuff catheter, the target pressure should be set at 25-30 cmH 2O, and the cuff pressure should be adjusted regularly.

Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

Objective To propose a modified lung ultrasound score(LUS),and to observe its value for evaluation on severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Data of lung ultrasound,chest X-ray and so on in 33 sudden ARDS patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into moderate-severe group(n=16)and mild group(n=17)according to oxygenation index(OI).The outcomes of LUS,modified LUS and radiographic assessment of lung edema(RALE)score were compared between groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn,the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of various image scores for evaluating the severity of ARDS.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of various image scores with OI,of RALE score with LUS and modified LUS in ARDS patients.Results LUS and modified LUS in moderate-severe group were both higher than those in mild group(both P＜0.05).No significant difference of RALE score was found between groups(P＞0.05).AUC of LUS,modified LUS and RALE score for evaluating the severity of ARDS was 0.809,0.853 and 0.640,respectively.LUS and modified LUS in ARDS patients were moderately negatively correlated with OI(r=-0.570,P=0.001;r=-0.708,P＜0.001),while no obvious correlation of RALE score and OI was found(r=-0.229,P=0.201).RALE score of ARDS patients was moderately positively correlated with both LUS and modified LUS(r=0.588,P＜0.001;r=0.502,P=0.003).Conclusion The above mentioned modified LUS could effectively evaluate severity of ARDS,with better efficacy than LUS and RALE score.

Objective To explore the improving effects of motion sickness acclimatization training methods,namely sinusoidal vertical oscillation stimulation and sinusoidal vertical oscillation stimulation combined with visual virtual reality(VR)swell stimulation,on cognitive performance of individuals with extremely severe motion sickness.Methods A total of 90 individuals with extremely severe motion sickness screened by the Graybiel score during 6 h navigation were randomly divided into vertical group,vertical+VR group,and control group(n=30).The abilities of vigilance,memory,rapid calculation,information processing and visual manipulation were evaluated before and after the acclimatization training using a self-developed cognitive performance evaluation software.Results On the 1st day of training,the numbers of missed targets of the vertical group and vertical+VR group were increased in the vigilance test;the reaction time was prolonged in the short-term memory,rapid calculation,information processing and visual manipulation tasks;and the efficiency of rapid calculation was reduced.After acclimatization training,the numbers of missed targets were reduced to the baseline level in the vertical and vertical+VR groups,and the reaction time in the short-term memory,rapid calculation,information processing and visual manipulation tasks and the efficiency of rapid calculation were improved.Conclusion Motion sickness caused by vertical oscillation stimulation or vertical oscillation combined with visual VR swell stimulation can decrease vigilance,short-term memory,rapid calculation,information processing and visual manipulation abilities.Motion sickness acclimatization training can significantly improve the above cognitive abilities.

Objective To study the acclimatization time and effects for preventing motion sickness under sinusoidal vertical oscillation stimulation,visual virtual reality(VR)swell stimulation,and their combined stimulation.Methods Totally 120 individuals with extremely severe motion sickness during 6 h navigation were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=30):vertical group,VR group,vertical+VR group,and control group.The severity of symptoms during the training period was assessed daily by Graybiel scale,and the number of drops from flexible treadmill in the VR group was recorded.The Graybiel score of 0 for 3 d and/or the number of drops for 0 were considered as complete acclimatization.The training effect was validated by navigation under more severe sea conditions.Results The Graybiel scores of the vertical group and vertical+VR group,as well as the number of drops of the VR group were decreased with the increase of training days,and reached the acclimatization level on the 3rd,5th,and 2nd training day,respectively.The longest acclimatization time in the vertical,vertical+VR,and VR groups was 8,8,and 5 d,with an average acclimatization time of 3.6,3.9,and 2.7 d,respectively;the acclimatization rates within 5 d were 93.33％(28/30),76.67％(23/30),and 100.00％(30/30),respectively;the proportions of individuals with effective acclimatization training in the verification voyage were 86.67％(26/30),96.67％(29/30),and 66.67％(20/30),respectively;and the training efficiency was 85.19％,96.30％,and 62.97％,respectively.Conclusion Three training methods all have effects on motion sickness acclimatization,and the acclimatization period is 5-8 d.The acclimatization effects of the vertical oscillation and vertical oscillation+VR training are better than the VR training.

Objective To observe the effect of the supine-posture ripple wood training in preventing motion sickness caused by linear acceleration.Methods Totally 61 motion sickness sensitive males were screened by a vertical oscillation simulator and divided into mildly sensitive group(Graybiel score 1-15,n=28)and severely sensitive group(Graybiel score 16,n=33).The participants in the 2 groups received 5-d ripple wood training,30 min/d.The movement frequency of the ripper wood was maintained at 0.25-0.35 Hz,with an acceleration of 0.15-0.25 g.Graybiel score during the training period was recorded.The static balance function test was conducted before and after training on the 1st and 5th day.Results During the training period,the Graybiel scores and motion sickness incidence in the severely sensitive group were decreased with the increase of training days,and all participants achieved complete acclimatization on the 4th day.The Graybiel scores of the mildly sensitive group were low during the whole period,and the complete acclimatization period was 2 d.There was no significant difference in the sway area of the severely sensitive group in static balance function test before and after training(P＞0.05).The mean velocity of the severely sensitive group in static balance function test was significantly increased after training versus before training on the 1st day(P＜0.01),and there was no significant difference before and after training on the 5th day(P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in the sway area or mean velocity of the mildly sensitive group during the whole training period(all P＞0.05).The validation experiment showed that the motion sickness incidence and the symptom severity were significantly decreased in both groups;the motion sickness incidence of the mildly sensitive group decreased from 100.00％(28/28)to 35.71％(10/28);the incidence of severe symptoms in the severely sensitive group decreased from 100.00％(33/33)to 6.06％(2/33)and the vomiting incidence decreased from 96.97％(32/33)to 6.06％(2/33).Conclusion The supine-posture ripple wood training has great effect in preventing motion sickness,with widespread use and simple operation.

Objective To observe the distribution characteristics of motion sickness susceptibility and compare the efficacy of modified motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire(MSSQ),motion sickness history questionnaire and Graybiel scale in evaluating motion sickness.Methods The susceptibility to motion sickness and historical symptoms were investigated using MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire among 1 661 males in navy units A,B,and C.A total of 389 people from the unit C were selected for simulating vertical oscillation stimulation,and the severity of motion sickness was evaluated by Graybiel scale during the stimulation process.The evaluation efficacy of MSSQ,motion sickness history questionnaire and Graybiel scale for motion sickness was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results The overall distribution of motion sickness susceptibility assessed by MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire in this population was right skewed.The distribution characteristics in the units A,B,and C were consistent with the overall distribution,and there was no significant difference among the 3 units.A positive correlation was observed between the MSSQ and the motion sickness history questionnaire in the units A,B,and C(rs=0.565,0.565,0.554),and both of them were comparable in assessing the incidence of motion sickness and severe motion sickness.However,the incidence of motion sickness assessed by Graybiel scale was significantly lower than that assessed by MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire(both P＜0.05),and the incidence of severe motion sickness was significantly higher than that assessed by MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire(both P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that MSSQ had good predictive value for motion sickness susceptibility and severe motion sickness(area under curve[AUC]=0.736,0.750),while the Graybiel scale had poor predictive ability(AUC=0.559,0.557).Conclusion The right skewed distribution of susceptibility to motion sickness is preliminarily determined.During the acclimatization training for motion sickness,the susceptible individuals can be screened by MSSQ and then subjected to vertical oscillation stimulation to improve the training efficiency.