OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules (QDG) for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks. The control rats, along with 6 age-matched WKY rats, were treated with saline only. Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored, and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining. Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR, and the protein expressions of NeuN, STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis, expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA, and protein expressions of STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with WKY rats, SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, reduced expressions of NeuN, miR-124 and Bcl-2, and enhanced expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG (P<0.05). In the HT22 cell model, QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis, increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2, and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.
Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Male ; Hypertension

ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats （SHR）. In this experiment， 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model （n=8）， captopril （0.01 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.342 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）. Additionally， 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration， 3 h post administration， and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions， 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model， blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1）， antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1）， 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.824 g·kg^-1）， 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.969 g·kg^-1）， and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （1.112 g·kg^-1）. The normal group included 8 WKY rats， and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks， and blood pressure was recorded at various time points （pre-administration， 3 h post administration， and on days 4， 7， 10， and 14 of administration）. Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）， renin， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， and angiotensinogen （AGT） in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot， while the expression of nuclear factor （NF）-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group， all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE， Ang Ⅱ， renin， and IL-6， while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups， with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R， AGT， NF-κB p65， and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with model group， with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system （RAAS） and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Qingxin Jieyu granules （QXJYG） on FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombosis in rats and on the expression of thrombosis-related proteins tissue factor （TF） and tissue factor pathway inhibitor （TFPI） as well as the protein kinase B （Akt）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in EA.hy926 cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， thus preliminarily exploring the mechanism of QXJYG in inhibiting thrombosis. MethodsThirty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control， model， positive control （aspirin， 9 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （0.99， 1.98， 3.96 g·kg^-1， respectively） QXJYG groups （n=6）. The rats in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs， and those in the normal control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. After 14 consecutive days of prophylactic gavage， the rat model of common carotid artery thrombosis was established with 45% FeCl₃ solution， and the blood vessels were collected and the wet weight of thrombus was weighed by an electronic balance （precision of 1/10 000）. The thrombosis in the common carotid artery of each group of rats was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The plasma levels of von Willebrand factor （vWF）， platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （PECAM-1）， tissue-type plasminogen activator （t-PA）， and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （PAI-1） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An endothelial cell injury model was established by treating EA.hy926 human umbilical vein endothelial cells with TNF-α. The cell counting kit-8 method was used to screen the intervention concentrations of QXJYG. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TF， TFPI， Akt， p-Akt， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 in each group of cells. ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the normal control group， the model group showed an increase in carotid artery thrombus weight （P<0.05）， with unclear vascular structure and extensive thrombosis in the lumen. In addition， the plasma levels of vWF， PECAM-1， and PAI-1 were elevated， while the t-PA level became lowered （P<0.05） in the model group. Compared with the model group， the aspirin and QXJYG groups showed reductions in the weight of FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombi （P<0.05） and thrombosis in the lumen， declines in plasma levels of PECAM-1 and PAI-1， and an elevation in the t-PA level （P<0.05）. Moreover， the QXJYG groups showed reductions in the plasma level of vWF （P<0.05）， which， however， had no significant difference between the aspirin group and the model group. The cell experiments indicated that 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500 mg·L^-1 QXJYG had no effect on the viability of EA.hy926 cells. Therefore， 250， 500 mg·L^-1 QXJYG were selected as the intervention concentrations for subsequent experiments. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group， the TNF-α stimulation downregulated the expression of TFPI （P<0.05）， upregulated the expression of TF， and increased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05） in EA.hy926 cells. Compared with the model group， the intervention with QXJYG upregulated the expression of TFPI （P<0.05）， inhibited the expression of TF， and decreased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05）. ConclusionQXJYG has the effect of inhibiting thrombosis and regulating the expression of TF and TFPI in endothelial cells exposed to TNF-α by suppressing the abnormal activation of the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules(QDG)for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).Methods Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks.The control rats,along with 6 age-matched WKY rats,were treated with saline only.Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored,and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining.Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR,and the protein expressions of NeuN,STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R),the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis,expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA,and protein expressions of STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay,Hoechst 33342 staining,RT-qPCR,and Western blotting.Results Compared with WKY rats,SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex,reduced expressions of NeuN,miR-124 and Bcl-2,and enhanced expressions of STAT3,Bax and cleaved caspase-3(P＜0.05).All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG(P＜0.05).In the HT22 cell model,QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis,increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2,and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3,Bax and cleaved caspase-3.Conclusion QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized primarily by oral and periocular dryness. Astragalus-Salvia (AS) and Ophiopogon-Dendrobium (OD) represent two frequently utilized herb pairs in SS treatment. While the combination of AS-OD herb pairs demonstrates clinical efficacy in alleviating SS symptoms, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This investigation sought to assess the therapeutic effects and elucidate the potential mechanisms of AS-OD in non-obese diabetic (NOD)/Ltj mice with SS. The study utilized NOD/Ltj mice as SS models, administering AS-OD treatment for 10 weeks at doses of 113.1, 226.2, and 339.3 mg·d^-1·20 g^-1. Results demonstrated that AS-OD improved SS symptoms, evidenced by enhanced salivary flow rate, decreased anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibody levels, increased swimming duration, and reduced lactate (LA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in NOD/Ltj mice. AS-OD reduced lymphocyte infiltration, enhanced Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) expression in the submandibular gland, decreased inflammatory cytokine levels in the submandibular gland, and reduced the T helper type 17/regulatory T lymphocyte (Th17/Treg) cell ratio in the spleen. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicated AS-OD's involvement in regulating phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and Janus kinase 3/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK1/STAT3) pathways, with inhibitory effects validated in both NOD/Ltj mice submandibular gland and A-253 cells. Furthermore, AS-OD enhanced cell viability and reduced A-253 cell apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT pathway. In A-253 cells, AS-OD reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, CXC chemokine ligand 9/10 (CXCL9/10), and T-cell chemotaxis by inhibiting the JAK1/STAT3 pathway. AS-OD mitigates SS by suppressing inflammation and immune responses through the PI3K/AKT and JAK1/STAT3 pathways.
Animals ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Janus Kinase 1/genetics* ; Humans ; Female ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Male

Objective To observe the effect of Qing-Xin-Jie-Yu granule(QXJYG)on the formation of thrombosis in the rat model of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis and the adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-induced platelet aggregation.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,clopidogrel positive control group,QXJYG low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.The dose of clopidogrel positive control group was 6.74 mg/(kg?d),the dosages of QXJYG in low,medium and high groups were 0.99,1.98,3.96 g/(kg?d),respectively,normal control group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water,and continuous prophylactic intragastric administration for 14 days,once a day.One hour after the final administration,the rats were anesthetized,and the arteriovenous bypass thrombosis model was established by using a polyethylene tube as the arteriovenous bypass bridge(except control group).The thrombus was extracted after 15 min and its weight was weighed by 1/10,000th precision electronic balance.The levels of thromboxane B2(TXB2)and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α)in plasma were determined by ELISA kits.The rate of platelet aggregation induced by ADP in each group was measured using a microplate reader by turbidimetric method.Results Compared with the control group,the weight of arteriovenous bypass thrombus was significantly higher,the level of TXB2 in plasma was significantly higher,while the level of 6-keto-PGF1α was significantly lower,and platelet aggregation was significantly higher after ADP induction in the model group(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the weight of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis in clopidogrel positive control group and QXJYG dose groups was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the inhibition rate of thrombosis formation was 53.80％,23.96％,33.63％,and 32.59％,respectively.The content of TXB2 in plasma was significantly decreased,the content of 6-keto-PGF1α was significantly increased;additionally,the platelet aggregation rate induced by ADP was reduced in clopidogrel positive control group and QXJYG group.Meanwhile,there was a dose-dependence between different doses in QXJYY group(P＜0.05),and the inhibition rate of platelet aggregation was 86.90％,26.17％,38.87％,54.48％,respectively.Conclusion QXJYG can prevent thrombosis formation in the rat model of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis and inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP.

Objective To compare the effects of subcostal nerve injury between two incision methods in retroperitoneoscopic surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 91 patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery in the Department of Urology of this hospital from July 2022 to June 2024.The patients were divided into group A(47 cases)and group B(44 cases)based on the different first opening methods for establishing the retroperitoneal space.In group A,the costovertebra angle was the first incision,while in group B,the midaxillary line above the iliac spine was the first incision.The patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months after the operation to observe the injury of the subcostal nerve on the surgical side,including the incidence of chronic pain,sensory numbness and abdominal wall bulge.Results The overall incidence of subcostal nerve injury in group A was 55.3%(26/47),significantly higher than 15.9%(7/44)in group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).Among them,the incidence of chronic pain in group A was 31.9%(15/47),which was significantly higher than 9.1%(4/44)in group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the side of nerve injury between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).Conclusion When retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery uses the costovertebra angle as the first incision,there is relatively high risk of subcostal nerve injury.

Objective A rat model of cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)was established by unilateral injection of a single dose of sodium laurate into the internal carotid artery.The effectiveness of the model was assessed by behavior scoring and analysis of serum-related indicators,cerebral infarction volume,cerebral microvascular density,hemodynamics,brain histopathology and the expression of blood-brain barrier(BBB)-related proteins.Methods SPF-grade male SD rats were divided randomly into a control group and a model group(n=6 per group).The model group received a single injection of 100 μL of sodium laurate(2 g/L)via the internal carotid artery,while the control group underwent the same surgical procedure but received an equal volume of saline.Neurobehavioral assessments were conducted using the Longa score and postural reflex test.Serum homocysteine(HCY)levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Cerebral infarction volume was detected by magnetic resonance imaging and changes in cerebral vascular density were observed by cerebrovascular imaging.The resistance index(RI)and perfusion index(PI)were measured by ultrasonography.Histopathological changes in brain tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Expression of the cerebral microvascular marker CD31 and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin in brain cortex tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Results The Longa score,postural reflex score(P＜0.05),and cerebral infarction volume were significantly increased(P＜0.05)while the cerebral vascular density was decreased in the model group compared with the control group.Serum HCY levels,carotid RI,and PI values were all significantly increased in the model group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed solidified neuronal nuclei and enlarged perivascular spaces in the brain cortex in the model group.Immunohistochemical staining revealed that CD31,ZO-1,and Occludin expression were significantly reduced in the brain cortex in the model group compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions A rat model of CSVD can be established rapidly and effectively by a single unilateral injection of high-concentration sodium laurate via the internal carotid artery.This model is characterized by neurobehavioral abnormalities,cerebral infarction,insufficient cerebral blood supply,reduced vascular density,and disruption of the BBB,suggesting that it may serve as an effective rat model for the study of CSVD.

Objective To compare the effects of subcostal nerve injury between two incision methods in retroperitoneoscopic surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 91 patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery in the Department of Urology of this hospital from July 2022 to June 2024.The patients were divided into group A(47 cases)and group B(44 cases)based on the different first opening methods for establishing the retroperitoneal space.In group A,the costovertebra angle was the first incision,while in group B,the midaxillary line above the iliac spine was the first incision.The patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months after the operation to observe the injury of the subcostal nerve on the surgical side,including the incidence of chronic pain,sensory numbness and abdominal wall bulge.Results The overall incidence of subcostal nerve injury in group A was 55.3%(26/47),significantly higher than 15.9%(7/44)in group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).Among them,the incidence of chronic pain in group A was 31.9%(15/47),which was significantly higher than 9.1%(4/44)in group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the side of nerve injury between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).Conclusion When retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery uses the costovertebra angle as the first incision,there is relatively high risk of subcostal nerve injury.

Objective To observe the effect of Qing-Xin-Jie-Yu granule(QXJYG)on the formation of thrombosis in the rat model of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis and the adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-induced platelet aggregation.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,clopidogrel positive control group,QXJYG low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.The dose of clopidogrel positive control group was 6.74 mg/(kg?d),the dosages of QXJYG in low,medium and high groups were 0.99,1.98,3.96 g/(kg?d),respectively,normal control group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water,and continuous prophylactic intragastric administration for 14 days,once a day.One hour after the final administration,the rats were anesthetized,and the arteriovenous bypass thrombosis model was established by using a polyethylene tube as the arteriovenous bypass bridge(except control group).The thrombus was extracted after 15 min and its weight was weighed by 1/10,000th precision electronic balance.The levels of thromboxane B2(TXB2)and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α)in plasma were determined by ELISA kits.The rate of platelet aggregation induced by ADP in each group was measured using a microplate reader by turbidimetric method.Results Compared with the control group,the weight of arteriovenous bypass thrombus was significantly higher,the level of TXB2 in plasma was significantly higher,while the level of 6-keto-PGF1α was significantly lower,and platelet aggregation was significantly higher after ADP induction in the model group(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the weight of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis in clopidogrel positive control group and QXJYG dose groups was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the inhibition rate of thrombosis formation was 53.80％,23.96％,33.63％,and 32.59％,respectively.The content of TXB2 in plasma was significantly decreased,the content of 6-keto-PGF1α was significantly increased;additionally,the platelet aggregation rate induced by ADP was reduced in clopidogrel positive control group and QXJYG group.Meanwhile,there was a dose-dependence between different doses in QXJYY group(P＜0.05),and the inhibition rate of platelet aggregation was 86.90％,26.17％,38.87％,54.48％,respectively.Conclusion QXJYG can prevent thrombosis formation in the rat model of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis and inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP.