ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A （DA） pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MIRI） by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats， and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation （OGD/R） model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank， model （OGD/R）， DA， ferroptosis inducer （erastin）， and ferroptosis inhibitor （Fer-1） groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and ferrous ion （Fe²⁺） levels. Dihydroethidium （DHE） fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species （ROS） level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 （ACSL4）. Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control， model （MIRI）， DA， erastin， and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I （cTnI）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and creatine kinase （CK）. Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling （TUNEL）. The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment： compared with the blank group， the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability， elevated levels of ROS， MDA， and Fe²⁺， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4， lowered levels of SOD and GSH， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2， GPX4， and FTH1 （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends： cell viability， SOD and GSH levels， and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2， GPX4， and FTH1 were significantly restored， while the ROS， MDA， and Fe²⁺ levels， and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. In vivo experiment： Compared with the control group， the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI， LDH， and CK， increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， risen levels of ROS， MDA， and Fe²⁺， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However， both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2， GPX4， and FTH1 （P<0.05）. In contrast， both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators （P<0.05）， effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition， the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes， disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers， and massive inflammatory cell infiltration， which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation， demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A （DA） pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MIRI） by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats， and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation （OGD/R） model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank， model （OGD/R）， DA， ferroptosis inducer （erastin）， and ferroptosis inhibitor （Fer-1） groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and ferrous ion （Fe²⁺） levels. Dihydroethidium （DHE） fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species （ROS） level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 （ACSL4）. Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control， model （MIRI）， DA， erastin， and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I （cTnI）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and creatine kinase （CK）. Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling （TUNEL）. The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment： compared with the blank group， the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability， elevated levels of ROS， MDA， and Fe²⁺， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4， lowered levels of SOD and GSH， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2， GPX4， and FTH1 （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends： cell viability， SOD and GSH levels， and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2， GPX4， and FTH1 were significantly restored， while the ROS， MDA， and Fe²⁺ levels， and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. In vivo experiment： Compared with the control group， the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI， LDH， and CK， increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， risen levels of ROS， MDA， and Fe²⁺， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However， both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2， GPX4， and FTH1 （P<0.05）. In contrast， both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators （P<0.05）， effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition， the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes， disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers， and massive inflammatory cell infiltration， which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation， demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that different durations of pressure application on normal muscles can produce varying physiological responses.OBJECTIVE:To explore the expression levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear κB in skeletal muscle under different pressure durations.METHODS:Twenty healthy male SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group,10-second pressure group,20-second pressure group,and 30-second pressure group.The right leg of each rat was used for the experiment.The control group received no intervention,while rats in each pressure group were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 2%pentobarbital sodium(35 mg/kg),and the thin femoral muscle of the rats was pressed continuously at a constant pressure of 200 kPa using a homemade mechanical pressure device for 10,20,and 30 seconds,respectively.Muscle tissue at the pressing site of the right hind limb was collected immediately after pressure.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes of skeletal muscle tissues and changes in the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear factor κB in rat skeletal muscle.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that the pressure groups showed loosely arranged skeletal muscle fibers,reduced cross-sectional area and diameter,and enlarged intermuscular spaces.Compared with the control group,the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was significantly reduced in the pressure groups(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the three pressure groups(P>0.05).The 10-second pressure group showed no significant presence of red blood cells in the interstitial spaces,while the 20-second pressure group exhibited a small amount of red blood cells,and the 30-second pressure group showed capillary dilation with red blood cells in the interstitial spaces.The expression level of tumor necrosis factor α in the 30-second pressure group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The expression level of nuclear factor κB in skeletal muscle showed no significant difference among groups(P>0.05).To conclude,skeletal muscle undergoes morphological changes and reduced cross-sectional area after pressure at 200 kPa,but there is no significant difference among the 10-,20-,and 30-second pressure groups.As the duration of pressure increases to 30 seconds,the inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor α is activated,but nuclear factor κB remains unaffected,suggesting that inflammatory factors may express under short-term pressure,while transcription factors show no significant change.

Objective:To explore the correlation between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP)and ad-verse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:A total of 511 singleton pregnant women with ICP treated at The Third Affili-ated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2017 to January 2024 were selected as the study sub-jects.Among them,patients were divided into the adverse pregnancy outcome group(n=49)and the control group without adverse pregnancy outcomes(n=462).The general and clinical data of the two groups were com-pared and analyzed.Results:①General situation:The number of pregnancies and deliveries,ICU transfer rate,total hospital stay,and total hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the adverse pregnancy outcome group compared to the control group(P<0.05).The number of prenatal check-ups,diagnostic gestational weeks,and gestational weeks at delivery were significantly lower compared to the control group(P<0.05).②Clinical symp-toms:The incidence of itching in the adverse pregnancy outcome group was lower compared to the control group(10.2%vs.26.6%,P<0.05),while other symptoms such as rash,fatigue,jaundice,and gastrointestinal symp-toms showed no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).③Laboratory examinations:Compared with the control group,patients in the adverse pregnancy outcome group had significantly the increased levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,uric acid,urea nitrogen,and triglycerides,and significantly the decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase and fasting blood glucose,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Other biochemical indicators showed no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).④ICP grading and complications:The proportion of early-onset ICP,severe and very severe ICP in the adverse pregnancy out-come group was significantly higher compared to the control group(P<0.001);the proportion of adverse preg-nancy outcome group with pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly higher compared to the control group;the incidence of preterm birth,fetal growth restriction,meconium-stained amniotic fluid,and fetal distress in the adverse pregnancy outcome group was significantly higher compared to the control group(P<0.001).⑤Neo-natal outcomes:The neonatal Apgar scores(1 min,5 min,10 min)and neonatal weight in the adverse pregnancy outcome group were lower compared to the control group(P<0.001),and the incidence of mild neonatal asphyx-ia was significantly higher,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Conclusions:The severity of ICP is closely related to the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Therefore,it is clinically necessary to pay at-tention to the grading of ICP,closely monitor the levels of total bile acids and liver enzymes,and try to avoid ad-verse pregnancy outcomes,especially intrauterine fetal death.

Objective:To explore the correlation between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP)and ad-verse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:A total of 511 singleton pregnant women with ICP treated at The Third Affili-ated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2017 to January 2024 were selected as the study sub-jects.Among them,patients were divided into the adverse pregnancy outcome group(n=49)and the control group without adverse pregnancy outcomes(n=462).The general and clinical data of the two groups were com-pared and analyzed.Results:①General situation:The number of pregnancies and deliveries,ICU transfer rate,total hospital stay,and total hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the adverse pregnancy outcome group compared to the control group(P<0.05).The number of prenatal check-ups,diagnostic gestational weeks,and gestational weeks at delivery were significantly lower compared to the control group(P<0.05).②Clinical symp-toms:The incidence of itching in the adverse pregnancy outcome group was lower compared to the control group(10.2%vs.26.6%,P<0.05),while other symptoms such as rash,fatigue,jaundice,and gastrointestinal symp-toms showed no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).③Laboratory examinations:Compared with the control group,patients in the adverse pregnancy outcome group had significantly the increased levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,uric acid,urea nitrogen,and triglycerides,and significantly the decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase and fasting blood glucose,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Other biochemical indicators showed no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).④ICP grading and complications:The proportion of early-onset ICP,severe and very severe ICP in the adverse pregnancy out-come group was significantly higher compared to the control group(P<0.001);the proportion of adverse preg-nancy outcome group with pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly higher compared to the control group;the incidence of preterm birth,fetal growth restriction,meconium-stained amniotic fluid,and fetal distress in the adverse pregnancy outcome group was significantly higher compared to the control group(P<0.001).⑤Neo-natal outcomes:The neonatal Apgar scores(1 min,5 min,10 min)and neonatal weight in the adverse pregnancy outcome group were lower compared to the control group(P<0.001),and the incidence of mild neonatal asphyx-ia was significantly higher,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Conclusions:The severity of ICP is closely related to the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Therefore,it is clinically necessary to pay at-tention to the grading of ICP,closely monitor the levels of total bile acids and liver enzymes,and try to avoid ad-verse pregnancy outcomes,especially intrauterine fetal death.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that different durations of pressure application on normal muscles can produce varying physiological responses.OBJECTIVE:To explore the expression levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear κB in skeletal muscle under different pressure durations.METHODS:Twenty healthy male SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group,10-second pressure group,20-second pressure group,and 30-second pressure group.The right leg of each rat was used for the experiment.The control group received no intervention,while rats in each pressure group were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 2%pentobarbital sodium(35 mg/kg),and the thin femoral muscle of the rats was pressed continuously at a constant pressure of 200 kPa using a homemade mechanical pressure device for 10,20,and 30 seconds,respectively.Muscle tissue at the pressing site of the right hind limb was collected immediately after pressure.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes of skeletal muscle tissues and changes in the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear factor κB in rat skeletal muscle.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that the pressure groups showed loosely arranged skeletal muscle fibers,reduced cross-sectional area and diameter,and enlarged intermuscular spaces.Compared with the control group,the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was significantly reduced in the pressure groups(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the three pressure groups(P>0.05).The 10-second pressure group showed no significant presence of red blood cells in the interstitial spaces,while the 20-second pressure group exhibited a small amount of red blood cells,and the 30-second pressure group showed capillary dilation with red blood cells in the interstitial spaces.The expression level of tumor necrosis factor α in the 30-second pressure group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The expression level of nuclear factor κB in skeletal muscle showed no significant difference among groups(P>0.05).To conclude,skeletal muscle undergoes morphological changes and reduced cross-sectional area after pressure at 200 kPa,but there is no significant difference among the 10-,20-,and 30-second pressure groups.As the duration of pressure increases to 30 seconds,the inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor α is activated,but nuclear factor κB remains unaffected,suggesting that inflammatory factors may express under short-term pressure,while transcription factors show no significant change.

Aim To investigate the influence of Ramu-lus mori polysaccharides ( RMP) on blood glucose and anti-oxidative effect in streptozotocin ( STZ )-induced diabetic mice .Methods Diabetic mice were induced by intraperitoneal injection with 120 mg? kg -1 STZ and were randomly divided into the following 5 groups with 20 animals per group: model group , valsartan group ( 20 mg? kg -1 ) , low-, medium-, high-dose (0.3,0.6,1.2 g? kg -1 ) of RMP groups.Other 20 normal mice were treated as normal control group .The mice were administered orally for 90 d.On 45 d of ad-ministration , the 24 h urine was collected through met-abolic cages for urine protein detection .Pathological changes of kidney tissues were observed through HE staining .The serum levels of urea nitrogen ( BUN) and creatinine ( Cr ) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer; and the manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase(CAT), malonaldehyde(MDA) and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ,Ⅲac-tivity of kidney tissues were also determined .ELISA method was used to detect ROS content in renal cortex . The SIRT1 , FOXO1 and NF-κB protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot .Results Compared with model group, the FBG, microalbuminuria, BUN and Cr were decreased by RMP medication ( P <0.05).The activities of Mn-SOD, CAT and mitochon-drial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ,Ⅲ in RMP groups were enhanced , while MDA and ROS levels were re-duced. Moreover, the expressions of SIRT1 and FOXO1 were up-regulated by RMP , the expression of NF-κB was down-regulated ( P<0.05) .Conclusion RMP exerts renal protective effect through up-regula-ting the expressions of SIRT1 and FOXO1 in renal cor-tex , which may relate to the improvement of anti-oxida-tive capability .

AIM:The direct renin inhibitor aliskiren displays antihypertensive and antialbuminuric effects in humans and in animal models . Emerging evidence has shown that aliskiren localizes and persists in medullary collecting ducts even after treatment was discontinued . The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether aliskiren regulates renal aquaporin expression and improves urinary concen -trating defect induced by lithium .METHODS:The mice were either fed with normal chow or LiCl diet (40 mmol/kg dry food per day for first 4 days and 20 mmol/kg dry food per day for last 3 days ) for seven days .Some mice were intraperitoneally injected aliskiren ( 50 mg/kg BW per day in saline ) .RESULTS:Mice injected aliskiren developed decreased urine output and increased urine osmolal -ity when compared with controls .Aliskiren significantly increased protein abundance of AQP 2 and phosphorylated-S256 AQP2 in the kidney inner medulla .Immunohistochemistry and immunofluoresence showed increased apical and intracellular labeling of AQP 2 and pS256-AQP2 in collecting duct principal cells of kidneys in mice treated with aliskiren .Aliskiren treatment prevented urinary concen-trating defect in lithium-treated mice , and improved the downregulation of AQP 2 and pS256-AQP2 protein abundance in inner medulla of the kidney .In primary cultured rat inner medulla collecting duct cells , aliskiren dramatically increased AQP 2 protein abundance which was significantly inhibited either by PKA inhibitor H 89 or by adenylyl cyclase inhibitor MDL 12330, indicating an involvement of the cAMP signalling pathway in mediating aliskiren-induced increased AQP 2 expression .CONCLUSION: The direct renin inhibitor aliskiren upregulates AQP 2 protein expression in inner medullary collecting duct principal cells and prevents lithium -induced nephro-genic diabetes insipidus ( NDI) likely via PKA-cAMP pathways .

Objective To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in quantitative diagnosis of chronic kidney dysfunction(CKD) by comparing it with color Doppler imaging (CDFI). Methods Tirty-three cases (15 males and 18 females) of clinical confirmed CKD (stage Ⅲ～Ⅴ)were included. Forty-five healthy volunteers were performed as control group. CEUS and CDFI were performed on each patient. After intravenous bolus injection of 1ml SonoVue each side,CEUS of renal cortex blood perfusion was collected successively,and a time-intensity curve(TIC) was created with Philips iU22 system's QLAB software. Resistance index(RI) and peak systolic velocity(PSV) of renal partial arteries were also tested. Results Compared with normal kidney,CKD patients had delayed perfusion and decreased intensity. Changes of area under curve(AUC), derived peak intensity(DPI), slope rate of ascending curve(A)and time to peak(TTP) were statistically significant ( P ＜0. 05). Sensitivities of AUC,DPI,A and TTP in diagnosis of CKD (stage Ⅲ～Ⅴ ) were 91.2% ,84. 9% ,90.9% and 85.3%, their specificities were 95.4%,88.9% ,93.3% and 90.9%, their accuracies were 93.6%, 87. 2%, 92.3% and 88. 5%, respectively. The results of CEUS were better than RI in CDFI (sensitivity 70.4%, specificity 37. 8%, accuracy 52.2%).Conclusions CEUS can precisely display the hemodynamic change in CKD ( stage Ⅲ～Ⅴ ), and is more sensitive than CDFI.

Objective To evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in quantitative diagnosis of chronic renal insufficiency. Methods Correlation of CEUS indexes with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) detected by 99mTc-DTPA renography was examined. Thirty-three cases of clinical chronic renal insufficiency were enrolled in the study. They were 15 males and 18 females with average age of (43.33±6.78) years. After intravenous bolus injection of 1 ml SonoVue,CEUS of renal cortex blood perfusion was performed successfully, and a time-intensity curve (TIC)was created with PHILIPS iU22 system's QLAB software. A 148 to 222 MBq dose of 99mTc-DTPA was injected as a bolus from antecubital vein. Renal scintigraphic images were collected immediately and GFR was obtained. Results The significant correlation coefficients between GFR and CEUS quantitative indexes were as follows: rAUC (area under curve)=0.886 (P＜0.05), rA (slope rate of ascending curve, A) =0.804(P＜0.05). However, rDPI (derived peak intensity, DPI)=0.021 (P＞0.05), rTTP (time to peak, TTP) =0.043 (P＞0.05), rα (slope rate of descending curve,α)=0.039 (P＞0.05). Conclusion CEUS can precisely display the hemodynamic change of chronic renal insufficiency, which is well correlated with GFR by 99mTc-DTPA renography.