ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Bufeitang on intestinal flora of rats with lung Qi-deficiency syndrome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD）， and to explore the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating intestinal flora and thus restoring the balance of lung-gut axis. MethodA total of 84 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups， including blank group， model group， fecal bacterial transplantation（FMT） group， dexamethasone group and low， medium and high dose groups of Bufeitang， 12 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， cigarette and sawdust fumigation combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide（LPS） were used to establish the COPD rat model with lung Qi-deficiency syndrome in all other groups. The low， medium and high dose groups of Bufeitang were intragastric administrated with Bufeitang（3.645， 7.29， 14.58 g·kg^-1）， the FMT group was given fecal bacteria liquid enema（10 mL·kg^-1）， dexamethasone group was given dexamethasone acetate tablet suspension by gavage（0.135 mg·kg^-1）， the blank group and model group were given equal amount of distilled water. Fresh feces were collected after 28 d of continuous intervention for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lung and colon tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin（HE） for pathomorphological observation， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） and interleukin-8（IL-8） in lung tissues. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed severe abnormal lung tissue structure with alveolar atrophy and collapse accompanied by severe inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group， the extent of injury was significantly improved， and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced with basically normal alveolar structure in the high dose group of Bufeitang. Compared with the blank group， the model group had severely abnormal colonic tissue structure， the epithelial cells in the mucosal layer were eroded and shed， the number of inflammatory cells increased， the submucosal layer was edematous and the gap was enlarged. Compared with the model group， the extent of damage was significantly improved in the medium and high dose groups of Bufeitang， the epithelial cells in the mucosal layer were neatly and closely arranged， with only a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and no significant degeneration. Compared with the blank group， the TNF-α and IL-8 levels of lung tissue in the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the TNF-α and IL-8 levels of lung tissues in the low， medium and high dose groups of Bufeitang were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Bufeitang significantly modulated the number of bacteria species as well as alpha and beta diversity of model rats， corrected the return of intestinal flora to normal abundance and diversity， and positively regulated 4 differential phyla（such as Firmicutes， Proteobacteria） and 13 differential genera（such as Turicibacter， Lactobacillus， Anaerobiospirillum， Intestinimonas） in COPD model rats with lung Qi-deficiency syndrome， and down-regulated 2 carbohydrate metabolic pathway functions， including the pentose phosphate pathway（non-oxidative branch） Ⅰ and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle. ConclusionBufeitang can modulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora species， affect the function of metabolic pathways， repair the structure of lung and colon tissues， regulate the level of inflammatory factors， and thus improve COPD with lung Qi-deficiency syndrome. The mechanism may be related to its regulation of inflammation-related intestinal flora to restore the balance of lung-gut axis in COPD with lung Qi-deficiency syndrome.

The feasibility and safety of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a minimal/zero-fluoroscopy approach have recently been reported. This approach helps to reduce ionizing radiation exposure and orthopedic complications resulting from using lead aprons. The objectives of this planned prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) (paroxysmal AF (PAF)-ICE trial; ChiCTR2000033624) are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF and the impact on occupational hazards among lab staff.Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 2 groups: minimal fluoroscopy group ( n = 216) and traditional approach group ( n = 216). In the minimal fluoroscopy group, an ICE catheter will be used for geometry/anatomic construction, transseptal puncture, catheter tracking, and effusion monitoring. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) will be performed using an open-irrigated radiofrequency SmartTouch Surround Flow or SmartTouch catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, California, USA), and confirmed by a multipolar Lasso or PentaRay catheter (Biosense Webster). In the traditional approach group, an ICE catheter will not be used. Transseptal puncture will be performed under fluoroscopic guidance, with all geometries constructed by mapping the catheters. The primary efficacy endpoint is freedom from AF recurrence (without antiarrhythmic medications) at 12 months after ablation. Other endpoints include duration of lead apron use, measures of intra-procedural efficiency, and peri-procedural complications. This RCT will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF, also evaluate the benefits to lab staff (regarding reducing occupational hazards) related to this "minimal/zero-fluoroscopy" and "leadless" mode.

The feasibility and safety of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a minimal/zero-fluoroscopy approach have recently been reported. This approach helps to reduce ionizing radiation exposure and orthopedic complications resulting from using lead aprons. The objectives of this planned prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) (paroxysmal AF (PAF)-ICE trial; ChiCTR2000033624) are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF and the impact on occupational hazards among lab staff.Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 2 groups: minimal fluoroscopy group ( n = 216) and traditional approach group ( n = 216). In the minimal fluoroscopy group, an ICE catheter will be used for geometry/anatomic construction, transseptal puncture, catheter tracking, and effusion monitoring. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) will be performed using an open-irrigated radiofrequency SmartTouch Surround Flow or SmartTouch catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, California, USA), and confirmed by a multipolar Lasso or PentaRay catheter (Biosense Webster). In the traditional approach group, an ICE catheter will not be used. Transseptal puncture will be performed under fluoroscopic guidance, with all geometries constructed by mapping the catheters. The primary efficacy endpoint is freedom from AF recurrence (without antiarrhythmic medications) at 12 months after ablation. Other endpoints include duration of lead apron use, measures of intra-procedural efficiency, and peri-procedural complications. This RCT will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICE-guided minimal-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with PAF, also evaluate the benefits to lab staff (regarding reducing occupational hazards) related to this "minimal/zero-fluoroscopy" and "leadless" mode.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the role of the Notch pathway in Toll-like receptor 4 ( TLR4 )-mediated in-flammatory response in renal ischemia reperfusion injury ( IRI) in rats.METHODS: A total of 75 male sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group , IRI group and DAPT treatment group .Blood samples and the kid-neys were obtained at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after reperfusion .The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were measured.The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by ELISA, and the expression of Notch1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the renal tissues was assessed by im-munohistochemistry and Western blot .RESULTS: The serum levels of BUN, Scr, TNF-αand IL-6 in IRI group were markedly increased as compared with sham group (P<0.05).The protein levels of Notch1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in re-nal tubular epithelial cells in IRI group was significantly enhanced as compared with sham group ( P<0.05 ) .In DAPT group, the serum levels of BUN, Scr, TNF-αand IL-6 were significantly reduced compared with IRI group (P<0.05), and the protein levels of Notch1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were apparently less than those in IRI group (P<0.05).CON-CLUSION:Significant changes of renal function , a rise of serum inflammatory factor including TNF-αand IL-6 and en-hanced expression of Notch 1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the renal tissue occurred in the rats with IRI .γ-Secretase inhibitor DAPT attenuates TLR4-mediated inflammatory response in the renal IRI through the inhibition of Notch 1 and down-regula-tion of NF-κB.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the expression of calprotectin ( CALP) in the rats with renal ischemia-reperfu-sion injury ( IRI) .METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation and IRI group ( n=25 in each group) .Blood samples and the kidneys were obtained at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after reperfusion.The pathological changes of the kidneys were observed.The serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) and serum cre-atinine (SCr) were measured.The serum levels of CALP, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by ELISA, and the expression of CALP, Toll-like receptor 4 ( TLR4) and NF-κB p65 in the renal tissues were de-termined by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot.RESULTS: Different serial ischemia changes were observed in the renal tissues, mainly in the renal tubular epithelial cells and the mesenchyma, with the infiltration of in-flammatory cells.The serum levels of BUN, SCr, CALP, TNF-αand IL-6 in IRI group were markedly increased as com-pared with sham group (P<0.05).The protein expression of CALP, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the renal tubular epithelial cells in IRI group was greatly enhanced in comparison with that in sham group ( P<0.05) .CONCLUSION:The serum concentrations of CALP, TNF-αand IL-6, and the protein expression levels of CALP, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the renal tissue are significantly increased in the rats with IRI, suggesting that calprotectin plays an important role in the inflamma-tion in rats with IRI.

Objective To investigate the serum level of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and explore its correlation with MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with coronary artery disease (CHD). Methods A total of 103 CHD patients treated in our hospital between October, 2013 and May, 2014 were enrolled, including 39 with stable angina pectoris (SAP), 39 with unstable angina (UA), and 25 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with 38 non-CHD volunteers as the control group. The serum levels of ICTP, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were detected in all the subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results No significant difference in serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, or ICTP was found between the control and SAP groups or between UA and AMI groups (P>0.05), but the latter two groups had significantly higher serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and ICTP than the former two groups (P<0.05). Serum ICTP level was found to negatively correlated with the fibrotic area and positively with the lipid component in the plaques (P<0.05). Regression analysis revealed significant positive correlations of serum ICTP with MMP-2 and MMP-9 (P<0.05). Conclusions An elevated serum ICTP level is indicative of the presence of unstable plaques in CHD patients. Serum ICTP is more strongly correlated with MMP-2 than with MMP-9, and can be used as a non-invasive marker for assessing vulnerable plaques in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective To investigate the serum level of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and explore its correlation with MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with coronary artery disease (CHD). Methods A total of 103 CHD patients treated in our hospital between October, 2013 and May, 2014 were enrolled, including 39 with stable angina pectoris (SAP), 39 with unstable angina (UA), and 25 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with 38 non-CHD volunteers as the control group. The serum levels of ICTP, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were detected in all the subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results No significant difference in serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, or ICTP was found between the control and SAP groups or between UA and AMI groups (P>0.05), but the latter two groups had significantly higher serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and ICTP than the former two groups (P<0.05). Serum ICTP level was found to negatively correlated with the fibrotic area and positively with the lipid component in the plaques (P<0.05). Regression analysis revealed significant positive correlations of serum ICTP with MMP-2 and MMP-9 (P<0.05). Conclusions An elevated serum ICTP level is indicative of the presence of unstable plaques in CHD patients. Serum ICTP is more strongly correlated with MMP-2 than with MMP-9, and can be used as a non-invasive marker for assessing vulnerable plaques in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of carvacrol pretreatment on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSWild-type male C57 BL/6 mice were randomized into 5 groups (n=13), namely the sham-operated group, vehicle (DMSO in saline)+ I/R group, carvacrol (20 mg/kg) + I/R group, carvacrol (40 mg/kg) + I/R group, and carvacrol (60 mg/kg) + I/R group. The mouse models of myocardial I/R injury were established by a 45-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Carvacrol or vehicle was administered intravenously 15 min before LAD occlusion. After reperfusion, the mice were examined for myocardial oxidative stress level and apoptosis rate.

RESULTSCompared with the vehicle group, the 3 carvacrol-pretreated groups showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, oxidative stress level and cardiac myocyte apoptosis rate (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCarvacrol can protect against myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Random Allocation

Objective To investigate the effect of carvacrol pretreatment on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Wild-type male C57 BL/6 mice were randomized into 5 groups (n=13), namely the sham-operated group, vehicle (DMSO in saline)+I/R group, carvacrol (20 mg/kg)+I/R group, carvacrol (40 mg/kg)+I/R group, and carvacrol (60 mg/kg)+I/R group. The mouse models of myocardial I/R injury were established by a 45-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Carvacrol or vehicle was administered intravenously 15 min before LAD occlusion. After reperfusion, the mice were examined for myocardial oxidative stress level and apoptosis rate. Results Compared with the vehicle group, the 3 carvacrol-pretreated groups showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, oxidative stress level and cardiac myocyte apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Conclusion Carvacrol can protect against myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice.

Objective To investigate the effect of carvacrol pretreatment on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Wild-type male C57 BL/6 mice were randomized into 5 groups (n=13), namely the sham-operated group, vehicle (DMSO in saline)+I/R group, carvacrol (20 mg/kg)+I/R group, carvacrol (40 mg/kg)+I/R group, and carvacrol (60 mg/kg)+I/R group. The mouse models of myocardial I/R injury were established by a 45-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Carvacrol or vehicle was administered intravenously 15 min before LAD occlusion. After reperfusion, the mice were examined for myocardial oxidative stress level and apoptosis rate. Results Compared with the vehicle group, the 3 carvacrol-pretreated groups showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, oxidative stress level and cardiac myocyte apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Conclusion Carvacrol can protect against myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice.