Objective To explore the promoting effect of long-term administration of nicotiflorin on the recovery of neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury （CIRI）. Methods The CIRI model was established and nicotiflorin was injected intraperitoneally after 1 hour of obstruction for 8 weeks. Tail suspension deflection experiment, balance beam experiment and water maze test were performed in the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks. After 8 weeks, TTC staining was used to observe the volume of infarct atrophy, transcriptome sequencing was employed to screen differential expressed genes （DEGs） and highly enriched pathways were analyzed, Western-bloting and Elisa were used to assess proteins expression related to the pyroptosis pathway and inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Results By long-term administration of nicotiflorin, the contralateral deflection rate was significantly reduced and beam experiment score of CIRI rats was balanced, the number of crossing the platform in water maze test was increased （P<0.05）, the volume of cerebral infarction atrophy was decreased （P<0.01）, which significantly promoted the recovery of neurological function in rats. Transcriptome sequencing found that the expression of genes in the pyroptosis-related signaling pathways in the brain tissue of rats in the nicotiflorin group was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. Western-blot and Elisa experiments showed that nicotiflorin reduced the expression levels of Caspase-1 and GSDMD-N and other pyroptosis-related proteins, and at the same time, the release of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, indicating that nicotiflorin could inhibit the inflammatory process of pyroptosis. Conclusion Nicotiflorin exhibited a significant long-term promotion effect on the recovery of neurological function in CIRI rats, which potentially attributed from its ability to inhibit pyroptosis.

Septic acute kidney injury(SAKI)is an acute renal dysfunction induced by sepsis,characterized by rapid onset,severe condition,and poor prognosis.With high incidence and mortality rates,it remains one of the leading cause of death in critically ill patients.The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SAKI are multifactorial,involving ischemia,hypoperfusion,immune dysregulation,inflammatory response,microcirculatory disturbances,and mitochondrial dysfunction.Despite extensive research,no specific therapeutic strategies are currently available.In recent years,with the proposal of the"gut-kidney axis"theory,which emphasizes the bidirectional interaction between the gut and kidney,new insights have emerged for the treatment of SAKI.Sepsis leads to intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis,which exacerbate renal injury through inflammatory mediators and toxins.Conversely,renal dysfunction further disrupts intestinal homeostasis,forming a vicious cycle.In recent years,the integrated approach of combining traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medicine in the management of SAKI has garnered increasing attention.TCM,which asserts that"the spleen governs transportation and transformation,while the kidney regulate water and fluids"is consistent with the Western conceptualization of the"gut-kidney axis"and its functional regulatory mechanisms.The"simultaneous treatment of the gut and kidney"approach leverages TCM interventions that tonify the spleen and kidney,clear heat,detoxify,and promote bowel movements,in conjunction with Western therapies such as anti-infection treatments and renal replacement strategies,facilitating a multi-target therapeutic paradigm for SAKI.In conclusion,the integration of TCM and Western medicine based on the"gut-kidney axis"theory represents a burgeoning area of research.This combined therapeutic strategy,which targets both the gut and kidneys,demonstrates substantial potential in modulating gut function,promoting renal recovery,and enhancing patient prognosis.

Objective To investigate the renal function recovery and perioperative risk factors for chronic kidney disease in patients after acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent ATAAD repair at the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University from 2020 to 2021, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 255 patients were included, with 200 males and 55 females, and an average age of (52.80±12.46) years. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after ATAAD repair was 43.9%. Dissection involving the renal artery [OR=2.144, 95%CI (1.234, 3.765), P=0.007], intraoperative urine output [OR=0.761, 95%CI (0.625, 0.911), P=0.004], and intraoperative red blood cell transfusion [OR=1.288, 95%CI (1.088, 1.543), P=0.004] were significantly associated with early AKI after ATAAD repair. Long-term renal function follow-up data were available for 232 patients, among whom 40 (17.2%) patients developed chronic kidney disease (CKD). Independent predictors for CKD included lower body mass index [OR=0.827, 95%CI (0.723, 0.931), P=0.003], preoperative cardiac tamponade [OR=5.344, 95%CI (1.65, 17.958), P=0.005], preoperative renal hypoperfusion syndrome [OR=12.629, 95%CI (5.003, 35.373), P<0.001], postoperative peak serum creatinine time>3 d [OR=7.566, 95%CI (2.799, 22.731), P<0.001], and AKI grade [grade 1: OR=4.418, 95%CI (1.339, 15.361), P=0.016; grade 2: OR=8.345, 95%CI (1.762, 40.499), P=0.007; grade 3: OR=9.463, 95%CI (2.602, 37.693), P<0.001]. Conclusion AKI related to ATAAD repair can recover in the early postoperative period, but both the duration and severity of AKI will affect long-term renal function. In addition, patients' nutritional status, preoperative cardiac tamponade, and renal hypoperfusion syndrome are also independent risk factors for long-term renal dysfunction.

Septic acute kidney injury(SAKI)is an acute renal dysfunction induced by sepsis,characterized by rapid onset,severe condition,and poor prognosis.With high incidence and mortality rates,it remains one of the leading cause of death in critically ill patients.The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SAKI are multifactorial,involving ischemia,hypoperfusion,immune dysregulation,inflammatory response,microcirculatory disturbances,and mitochondrial dysfunction.Despite extensive research,no specific therapeutic strategies are currently available.In recent years,with the proposal of the"gut-kidney axis"theory,which emphasizes the bidirectional interaction between the gut and kidney,new insights have emerged for the treatment of SAKI.Sepsis leads to intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis,which exacerbate renal injury through inflammatory mediators and toxins.Conversely,renal dysfunction further disrupts intestinal homeostasis,forming a vicious cycle.In recent years,the integrated approach of combining traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medicine in the management of SAKI has garnered increasing attention.TCM,which asserts that"the spleen governs transportation and transformation,while the kidney regulate water and fluids"is consistent with the Western conceptualization of the"gut-kidney axis"and its functional regulatory mechanisms.The"simultaneous treatment of the gut and kidney"approach leverages TCM interventions that tonify the spleen and kidney,clear heat,detoxify,and promote bowel movements,in conjunction with Western therapies such as anti-infection treatments and renal replacement strategies,facilitating a multi-target therapeutic paradigm for SAKI.In conclusion,the integration of TCM and Western medicine based on the"gut-kidney axis"theory represents a burgeoning area of research.This combined therapeutic strategy,which targets both the gut and kidneys,demonstrates substantial potential in modulating gut function,promoting renal recovery,and enhancing patient prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the role of m.4435A>G and YARS2 c.572G>T(p.G191V)mutations in the development of essential hypertension.Methods:A hypertensive patient with m.4435A>G and YARS2 p.G191V mutations was identified from previously collected mitochondrial genome and exon sequencing data.Clinical data were collected,and a molecular genetic study was conducted in the proband and his family members.Peripheral venous blood was collected,and immortalized lymphocyte lines constructed.The mitochondrial transfer RNA(tRNA),mitochondrial protein,adenosine triphosphate(ATP),mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the constructed lymphocyte cell lines were measured.Results:Mitochondrial genome sequencing showed that all maternal members carried a highly conserved m.4435A>G mutation.The m.4435A>G mutation might affect the secondary structure and folding free energy of mitochondrial tRNA and change its stability,which may influence the anticodon ring structure.Compared with the control group,the cell lines carrying m.4435A>G and YARS2 p.G191V mutations had decreased mitochondrial tRNA homeostasis,mitochondrial protein expression,ATP production and MMP levels,as well as increased ROS levels(all P<0.05).Conclusion:The YARS2 p.G191V mutation aggravates the changes in mitochondrial translation and mitochondrial function caused by m.4435A>G through affecting the steady-state level of mitochondrial tRNA and further leads to cell dysfunction,indicating that YARS2 p.G191V and m.4435A>G mutations have a synergistic effect in this family and jointly participate in the occurrence and development of essential hypertension.

Objective:To explore the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)on learning and memory dysfunc-tion in rats,as well as the expression of high mobility group box-1(HMGB1)and nuclear transcription factor-KB(NF-κB)in the hippocampus region.Methods:The CIH rat model was established,and forty SD rats were randomly divid-ed into four groups:normoxia group,hypoxia for 4 weeks group(CIH4 group),hypoxia for 8 weeks group(CIH8 group),and hypoxia for 12 weeks group(CIH12 group).Morris water maze was used to assess the learning memory ability of rats,and immunohistochemistry and ELISA were used to detect the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB in the hippocampus of rats.Results:Compared with the normoxia group,the CIH12 and CIH8 groups had longer escape la-tency,the number of crossing the platform and the residence time in the quadrant of the platform were significantly shortened,but there was no significant difference in the CIH4 group.Additionally,there was no significant expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB in the hippocampal region of the normoxia group,but little expression was observed in CIH4 group,and significantly expressed in CIH8 group and CIH12 group,and the expression of CIH12 group was significantly higher than that of CIH8 group.Conclusion:CIH can lead to a decline in learning and memory function in rats,and the longer time of intermittent hypoxia led to the more significant effect on their learning and memory function.In addi-tion,CIH also leads to increased expression levels of HMGB1 and NF-κB in the hippocampus region,and the expres-sion increased more significantly after hypoxia for 12 weeks,comparing to hypoxia for 8 weeks.

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that widely existing in traditional Chinese medicine. They have many biological activities and pharmacological effects. In recent years, studies have found that flavonoids can play an effective protective role in the treatments of ischemic stroke and ischemic heart disease through various ways. The mechanisms of their protective effects have been systematically explained in detail. For example, flavonoids can affect pathophysiological mechanisms such as antioxidant, inhibition of inflammatory response, apoptosis and autophagy pathway. This paper reviews the protective effect and mechanisms of the treatments of flavonoids on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic diseases by referring to relevant literatures. The purpose is to provide reference for future research and development of drugs for the treatments of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Objective To explore the function of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) in safflower flavonoid, especially hydroxysafflower yellow A (HSYA) biosynthesis. Methods SDRs involved in HSYA biosynthesis pathway were screened based on safflower transcriptome database and metabolome database. The expression pattern was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The overexpression vector was constructed by seamless cloning technology, then genetically transformed to the Yunnan Weishan safflower strain by Agrobacterium gv3101. The transgenic T₂ generation plants were positively verified, and the gene expression of corolla SDRs was analyzed. The content of secondary metabolites was assayed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Results Three SDRs genes named CtSDR1, CtSDR2 and CtSDR3 involved in HSYA biosynthesis pathway were screened. Their expression in safflower from high to low was corolla > leaf > stem > root. The expression level in corolla increased gradually with corolla development. qRT-PCR analysis of corolla with positive verification of genome insertion sequence showed that the transcription level of CtSDR3 in corolla of T₂ positive plants increased by 2~3 times compared with the blank control group, and the content of secondary metabolite HSYA increased by 7.1%~16.6% (P< 0.05). Conclusion CtSDR3 may be involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, especially HSYA, in safflower. It provides the support data for explaining the function of CtSDR3 in HSYA biosynthesis pathway.

Objective To investigate the long-term protective effects of the nicotiflorin on ischemic stroke rats. Methods Ischemic stroke model in rats was established for this study. The effects of nicotiflorin on long-term survival rate, nervous system function, body weight and brain neurons in rats were observed. Results The nicotiflorin had significantly improved the long-term survival rate of cerebral ischemia rats, which also promoted weight gain, alleviated pathological damage of brain tissue, maintained morphology of brain neurons and function of nervous system. Conclusion The nicotiflorin has obvious long-term protective effect on ischemic stroke rats and the mechanism may be related to the protection of the structure and function of brain neurons.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of the total bakkenolides from P.tricholobus on improving hypoxia tolerance in mice. Methods Mice normobaric pressure hypoxia model and oxygen glucose deprivation model in PC12 cells were established, and the effects of PTB on survival time, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, brain and heart superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities, brain tissue pathological changes and cell survival were observed. Results The total bakkenolides from P.tricholobus had prolonged the survival time of mice in confined spaces, increased the activity of SOD and GSH, reduced the production of lipid peroxidation, decreased the degree of anaerobic glycolysis, protected the structure and function of neural cells, and improved the survival rate of OGD-treated cells. Conclusion The total bakkenolides from P.tricholobus could promote the hypoxia tolerance in mice which might be related to scavenging oxygen free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation reaction and protecting the structures and functions of nerve cells.