Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Objective To investigate the effect of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1(LCMT1)knockout on fructose-induced lipid deposition in primary mouse hepatocytes.Methods Primary hepatocytes were isolated from wild-type(WT)and hepatocyte-specific LCMT1 knockout(KO)mice via a two-step hepatic portal vein perfusion method.The cells were divided into four groups:WT-control group,WT-fructose group,KO-control group,and KO-fructose group.Cell viability was determined through Alamar-Blue assays.Hepatocyte injury was evaluated based on alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.Lipid deposition was visualized via Oil Red O staining and lipid droplet green fluorescence staining,and the cellular triglyceride content was quantified via a GPO-POD assay.The mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was detected via quantitative real-time PCR,and the protein expression of LCMT1 and PP2Ac was detected via Western blot.Results Fructose treatment did not alter cell viability significantly in any group,and no significant cell damage was observed(P＞0.05).The WT-fructose group exhibited greater accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes than that in the WT-control group(P＜0.001),with significantly elevated triglyceride contents(P＜0.05).The mRNA levels of the de novo lipid synthesis genes ChREBP,SREBP-1c,and ACC1 were increased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.001,P＜0.001),whereas FAS expression did not differ significantly between groups(P＞0.05).The mRNA levels of the lipid uptake genes FABP1 and FATP2 also increased significantly(both P＜0.05).In contrast,the KO-fructose group presented a reduced number of lipid droplets(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),decreased triglyceride content(P＜0.05),and decreased mRNA levels of ChREBP,SREBP-1c,ACC1,FABP1,and FATP2(P＜0.01,P＜0.001,P＜0.001,P＜0.001,P＜0.05);CPT1 mRNA levels were markedly increased(P＜0.01).Total PP2Ac expression was significantly higher(P＜0.05)and PP2Ac demethylation was significantly lower(P＜0.01)in the WT-fructose group than in the WT-control group.In the KO-control group,total PP2Ac expression remained unchanged(P＞0.05),whereas PP2Ac demethylation was markedly elevated(P＜0.001).Compared with levels in the WT-fructose group,the KO-fructose group presented markedly lower total PP2Ac expression and significantly higher PP2Ac demethylation levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,respectively).Conclusions LCMT1 knockout alleviates fructose-induced lipid deposition in primary hepatocytes by inhibiting lipid uptake,increasing fatty acid oxidation,and downregulating de novo lipid synthesis.These effects are medicated by the LCMT1 knockout-mediated upregulation of PP2Ac demethylation,thereby modulating PP2A activity.

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise on the memory of rats modeling vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and also its effects on the hippocampal Sema3G/neuropilin-2 (Nrp2)/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and an exercise group, each of 6. The model and exercise groups underwent VCI modeling via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, while the sham-operated group received the same surgical procedure without vessel ligation or transection. Beginning forty-eight hours after the surgery, the exercise group carried out daily 30-minute treadmill training sessions, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks, while the other two groups were placed on the same treadmill with it not in operation. After the intervention, cognitive functioning was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test and a Y-maze test. Western blotting was employed to evaluate the expression of Sema3G, Nrp2, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of Nrp2 and PlexinA4 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the model group, the exercise group exhibited significantly higher NOR indices during both the short-term and long-term memory testing phases after the intervention. Those rats also tended to have significantly longer total exploration times in the novel arm of the Y-maze test. The western blotting revealed that the expression levels of Sema3G, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus were significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the model group, on average. Immunofluorescence showed significantly increased PlexinA4 fluorescence intensity in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus, and significantly elevated Nrp2 fluorescence intensity in the CA3 region in the exercise group compared to the model group. The Pearson correlation coefficients for Nrp2/PlexinA4 co-localization in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the model group.Conclusions:Exercise training significantly improves memory function in rats with VCI, and this effect may be associated with activation of the hippocampal Sema3G/Nrp2/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1(LCMT1)knockout on fructose-induced lipid deposition in primary mouse hepatocytes.Methods Primary hepatocytes were isolated from wild-type(WT)and hepatocyte-specific LCMT1 knockout(KO)mice via a two-step hepatic portal vein perfusion method.The cells were divided into four groups:WT-control group,WT-fructose group,KO-control group,and KO-fructose group.Cell viability was determined through Alamar-Blue assays.Hepatocyte injury was evaluated based on alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.Lipid deposition was visualized via Oil Red O staining and lipid droplet green fluorescence staining,and the cellular triglyceride content was quantified via a GPO-POD assay.The mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was detected via quantitative real-time PCR,and the protein expression of LCMT1 and PP2Ac was detected via Western blot.Results Fructose treatment did not alter cell viability significantly in any group,and no significant cell damage was observed(P＞0.05).The WT-fructose group exhibited greater accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes than that in the WT-control group(P＜0.001),with significantly elevated triglyceride contents(P＜0.05).The mRNA levels of the de novo lipid synthesis genes ChREBP,SREBP-1c,and ACC1 were increased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.001,P＜0.001),whereas FAS expression did not differ significantly between groups(P＞0.05).The mRNA levels of the lipid uptake genes FABP1 and FATP2 also increased significantly(both P＜0.05).In contrast,the KO-fructose group presented a reduced number of lipid droplets(P＜0.01,P＜0.001),decreased triglyceride content(P＜0.05),and decreased mRNA levels of ChREBP,SREBP-1c,ACC1,FABP1,and FATP2(P＜0.01,P＜0.001,P＜0.001,P＜0.001,P＜0.05);CPT1 mRNA levels were markedly increased(P＜0.01).Total PP2Ac expression was significantly higher(P＜0.05)and PP2Ac demethylation was significantly lower(P＜0.01)in the WT-fructose group than in the WT-control group.In the KO-control group,total PP2Ac expression remained unchanged(P＞0.05),whereas PP2Ac demethylation was markedly elevated(P＜0.001).Compared with levels in the WT-fructose group,the KO-fructose group presented markedly lower total PP2Ac expression and significantly higher PP2Ac demethylation levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,respectively).Conclusions LCMT1 knockout alleviates fructose-induced lipid deposition in primary hepatocytes by inhibiting lipid uptake,increasing fatty acid oxidation,and downregulating de novo lipid synthesis.These effects are medicated by the LCMT1 knockout-mediated upregulation of PP2Ac demethylation,thereby modulating PP2A activity.

Objective To investigate the effects of fructose exposure on mitochondrial oxidative damage in M2-type macrophages and elucidate the regulatory role of protein phosphatase 2A(PP2A)in the process using its specific activator ABL127,an inhibitor of protein phosphatase methylesterase-1(PPME-1).Methods ① Immortalized mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages Ana-1 were subjected and grouped into M0(conventional culture),M2(treated with 20 ng/mL IL-4 for 24 h),and M2+Fru groups(IL-4 plus 0.04,0.20,1.00,or 5.00 mmol/L fructose).Cell viability was assessed with CCK-8 assay.Number of mitochondria,total and mitochondrial levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),and mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨM)were measured using fluorescent probes.Total and demethylated PP2Ac protein levels were detected by Western blotting.② Ana-1 cells were also divided into M0,M2,M2+Fru(20 ng/mL IL-4+5.00 mmol/L fructose,24 h),and M2+Fru+ABL127(20 ng/mL IL-4+5.00 mmol/L fructose+1.00 μmol/L ABL127,24 h)to investigate PP2A-mediated mechanisms.Numbers of mitochondria and lysosomes,ROS level,and ΔΨM were detected via fluorescence assays.Expression of mitophagy-related proteins,PTEN induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),P62,microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),and voltage-dependent anion channel(VDAC)was evaluated by Western blotting,and the mRNA levels of M2 markers,found in inflammatory zone 1(Fizz1),arginase-1(Arg-1),and TGF-β were measured using RT-qPCR.Results ① Compared with the M2 group,fructose treatment at a concentration ranging from 0.04 to 5.00 mmol/L showed no effect on cell viability in M2 macrophages,but increased total ROS level in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).Fructose of 5.00 mmol/L resulted in significantly elevated mitochondrial ROS and mitochondrial quantity(P<0.05),reduced ΔΨM(P<0.05),up-regulated demethylated-PP2Ac(P<0.05),and no changed total-PP2Ac protein level.② Compared with the M2+Fru group,the addition of ABL127 led to decreased number of mitochondria but increased number of lysosomes(P<0.01),up-regulation of PINK1,LC3Ⅱ and VDAC proteins,down-regulation of P62(P<0.05),reduced total and mitochondrial ROS levels,and enhanced ΔΨM(P<0.01).The mRNA expression of Fizz1,Arg-1,and TGF-β was notably decreased in the M2+Fru group than the M2 group(P<0.05),and the levels were rescued by ABL127 treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Fructose induces PP2Ac demethylation and then mitochondrial oxidative damage in M2-type macrophages.PP2A activation promotes mitophagy and reverses fructose-induced damage.

Background and aims:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate,but there are still no effective treatments.The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer po-tential of the combined use of brefeldin A(BFA)and tunicamycin(TM)in HepG2 cells,as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods:HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of BFA(0.1-2.5 mg/L)and TM(1-5 mg/L)for 24 h.DMSO(0.1％,v/v)was used as a vehicle control.Cell viability and cell migration were measured using MTT assay and scratch wound assay,respectively.Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and acridine orange(AO)staining.The protein and mRNA levels of various factors involved in apoptosis(poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1(PARP-1),caspase-12,caspase-3,and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1)and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress(binding immunoglobulin protein(BiP),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha(p-eIF2α),activating transcription factor(ATF)4,and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP))were measured using Western blotting and qRT-PCR,respectively.Results:Both BFA and TM alone significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent way.The co-incubation with TM(1 mg/L)further significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells treated with BFA(0.25 mg/L)alone(P＜0.05).BFA significantly increased the protein and mRNA levels of caspase-3 and PARP-1(P＜0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells,indicating that BFA induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by increasing the expression of caspase-3 and PARP-1.The induction of apoptosis by BFA could be further significantly enhanced by co-incubation with TM.In addition,BFA significantly increased the mRNA levels of BiP,PERK and ATF4(P＜0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells.After co-incubation of BFA and TM,the protein levels of BiP,p-PERK,p-eIF2α and CHOP were significantly increased,indicating that TM could enhance BFA-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.Conclusions:BFA could induce apoptosis and ER stress,and TM could enhance the ability of BFA to induce apoptosis and ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of the combined use of BFA and TM in treating HCC.

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise on the memory of rats modeling vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and also its effects on the hippocampal Sema3G/neuropilin-2 (Nrp2)/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and an exercise group, each of 6. The model and exercise groups underwent VCI modeling via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, while the sham-operated group received the same surgical procedure without vessel ligation or transection. Beginning forty-eight hours after the surgery, the exercise group carried out daily 30-minute treadmill training sessions, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks, while the other two groups were placed on the same treadmill with it not in operation. After the intervention, cognitive functioning was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test and a Y-maze test. Western blotting was employed to evaluate the expression of Sema3G, Nrp2, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of Nrp2 and PlexinA4 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the model group, the exercise group exhibited significantly higher NOR indices during both the short-term and long-term memory testing phases after the intervention. Those rats also tended to have significantly longer total exploration times in the novel arm of the Y-maze test. The western blotting revealed that the expression levels of Sema3G, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus were significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the model group, on average. Immunofluorescence showed significantly increased PlexinA4 fluorescence intensity in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus, and significantly elevated Nrp2 fluorescence intensity in the CA3 region in the exercise group compared to the model group. The Pearson correlation coefficients for Nrp2/PlexinA4 co-localization in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the model group.Conclusions:Exercise training significantly improves memory function in rats with VCI, and this effect may be associated with activation of the hippocampal Sema3G/Nrp2/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate changes in coagulation function and inflammation levels during sepsis.Methods A rat model of sepsis was established using the multiple infection sepsis model(MIM)based on cecal ligation and puncture.Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to the following groups:control group,sham group,4 h sepsis group,8 h sepsis group,12 h sepsis group,and 16 h sepsis group(n=8 per group).Inflammatory markers and coagulation-related indicators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and coagulation analysis.Results(1)Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels were significantly higher in the model rats at all time points compared with the sham group(P＜0.001).LPS and IL-6 levels increased gradually with disease progression,with no further changes in LPS after 12 hours.(2)Prothrombin time(PT)was significantly prolonged in the middle and late stages of the sepsis model,starting from 8,compared with the sham group(P＜0.01).(3)Partially activated prothrombin time(APTT)time was significantly prolonged in the 8,12,and 16 h groups compared with the sham group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).APTT gradually lengthened from 8 h,but approached control levels thereafter.(4)Fibrinogen(Fbg)content was significantly higher in all sepsis groups,except for the 8 h group,compared with the sham group(P＜0.01).(5)Fibrin degradation products(FDP)differed significantly between the control and sham groups(P＜0.01),but not between the sham and sepsis groups.(6)Antithrombin-Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ)levels decreased significantly throughout each stage of sepsis progression compared with the sham group(P＜0.01),and AT-Ⅲ showed a downward trend with the course of disease,with significant differences among the 4,8,and 16 h groups.Conclusions The MIM rat model can reflect the development of inflammatory and blood coagulation disorders and their relationship during the course of sepsis,and may thus provide a good foundation for further research into the disease course of sepsis.