Food-derived bioactive peptides (FBPs), particularly those with ten or fewer amino acid residues and a molecular weight below 1300 Da, have gained increasing attention for their safe, diverse structures and specific biological activities. The development of FBP-based functional foods and potential medications depends on understanding their structure‒activity relationships (SARs), stability, and bioavailability properties. In this review, we provide an in-depth overview of the roles of FBPs in treating various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases, based on the literature from July 2017 to Mar. 2023. Subsequently, attention is directed toward elucidating the associations between the bioactivities and structural characteristics (e.g., molecular weight and the presence of specific amino acids within sequences and compositions) of FBPs. We also discuss in silico approaches for FBP screening and their limitations. Finally, we summarize recent advancements in formulation techniques to improve the bioavailability of FBPs in the food industry, thereby contributing to healthcare applications.
Humans ; Peptides/therapeutic use* ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Functional Food ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Biological Availability ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy* ; Hypertension/drug therapy* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Bioactive Peptides, Dietary

OBJECTIVE To screen out the pharmacodynamic substances of Cistanches Herba aqueous extracts, explore the basis of the pharmacodynamic substances and their mechanism of action in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN), based on the spectral relationship between the mass spectral peak areas of different elution sites of Cistanches Herba aqueous extracts and their anti-DN effects. METHODS UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS technique was used to characterise the chromatographic peaks; MTT method was used to detect the effects of different elution sites of Cistanches Herba aqueous extract on the proliferation of high glucose and high fat HK-2 cells; grey correlation analysis and partial least squares method were used to analyse the spectral relationship between mass spectrometry peak area and anti-DN activity. MTT method was used to determine the anti-DN activities of the individual components of Cistanches Herba aqueous extract; biochemical kit and ELISA were used to determine the levels of oxidative indicators(SOD, GSH-P) and inflammatory factors(IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β); Western blotting was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS technique speculated and identified 72 common compounds; In Cistanches Herba aqueous extracts, water, 20% ethanol, and 40% ethanol-eluted sites differentially increased the proliferation rate of HK-2 cells in a high-sugar, high-fat environment; Partial least squares and grey correlation analyses showed that the constituents of the aqueous extracts of Cistanches Herba with greater anti-DN contributions were 8-epideoxymatricinic acid, geniposidic acid, pinoresinol, betaine and syringin, et al. MTT assay reveals that 8-epi-deoxystrychnic acid and geniposidic acid had significant proliferative effects on HK-2 cells in a high glucose and high fat environment; Biochemical kit and ELISA showed that 8-epideoxystrychnic acid and geniposidic acid were able to up-regulate the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, and at the same time they had an inhibitory effect on the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β. Western blotting results showed that 8-epideoxystrychnic acid and geniposidic acid were able to down-regulate and up-regulate the markers of dermal mesenchymal transition: α-SMA, Collagen Ⅰ and E-cadherin, and they could exert anti-DN effects by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway. CONCLUSION The two compounds, 8-epideoxystrychnic acid and geniposidic acid, which are screened by the spectroeffective relationship of anti-DN among the many chemical constituents contained in Cistanches Herba, can affect oxidative stress, inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of renal tubular cells by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, and improve renal pathology, degree of fibrosis and renal function, which will be useful for the in-depth study of aqueous extracts of Cistanches Herba in the treatment of DN.

Osteoporosis is a generalized disease of bone that leads to a loss of bone density and bone mass, destruction of bone microstructure, increased brittleness and therefore fracture. At present, the main treatment of Western medicine is drug therapy such as bisphosphonates, calcitriol, vitamin D, etc. However, long-term use of these drugs may bring some adverse reactions. Chinese herbal medicine Cistanche deserticola could regulate bone metabolism by promoting osteoblast activity and inhibiting osteoclast activity with low toxicity and adverse reactions. Therefore, Cistanche deserticola has attracted increasing attention for its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in recent years. Here we present a literature review of the molecular pathways involved in osteoporosis and the effects of Cistanche deserticola on bone metabolism. Our objective is to clarify the mechanism of Cistanche deserticola in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Objective:To explore the differences of renal dynamic imaging parameters between operation group and non-operation group in infants with severe hydronephrosis, so as to accumulate theoretical basis for diuretic renal scintigraphy to help the treatment decision making.Methods:A total of 107 infants (age: 3(2, 6) months; 90 males and 17 females) with severe hydronephrosis, who underwent diuretic renal scintigraphy between March 2018 and October 2021 in Shanxi Children′s Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were diagnosed with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and divided into operation group ( n=87) and no-operation group ( n=20). The differences of differential renal function (DRF), peak time, half-time and drainage curve between the two groups were compared with the independent-sample t test or χ2 test, and the correlation between the renal function of the affected side and the anteroposterior pelvic diameter (APD) was analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis. Results:The operation group included 17 patients with DRF<40%, 60 patients with DRF between 40%-55%, and 10 patients with DRF>55%(supernormal renal function). The 40%-55% was considered as normal DBF, and the rest were abnormal. Infants with abnormal renal function in the operation group ( n=27) were more than those in the non-operation group ( n=3), but there was no statistical difference ( χ2=2.07, P=0.150). The proportion of obstruction curve in the operation group (85.1%, 74/87) was significantly higher than that in the non-operation group (55.0%, 11/20; χ2=7.24, P=0.007). Compared with the non-operation group, the peak time of affected kidney in the operation group was significantly longer ((22.77±7.52) vs (15.26±10.29) min; t=3.78, P<0.001), as well as the peak time of contralateral kidney ((11.25±8.47) vs (6.65±5.75) min; t=2.30, P=0.023). There was a negative correlation between the DRF of the affected side and the APD ( r=-0.48, P<0.001). Conclusions:The DBF is mostly in the normal range in infants with severe hydronephrosis, and supernormal renal function is common. The previous operation indication (DRF<40%) is not suitable for the infants, and it needs to be analyzed combined with the type of curve and the APD determined by color Doppler ultrasound. The prolongation of contralateral renal peak time may be an important parameter for the surgical evaluation of severe hydronephrosis in infants.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are major pathological manifestations observed in left ventricular remodeling induced by angiotensin II (AngII). Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been reported to ameliorate cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis in myocardial infarction (MI) through mechano-transduction and its downstream pathways. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LIPUS could exert a protective effect by ameliorating AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and if so, to further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We used AngII to mimic animal and cell culture models of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. LIPUS irradiation was applied in vivo for 20 min every 2 d from one week before mini-pump implantation to four weeks after mini-pump implantation, and in vitro for 20 min on each of two occasions 6 h apart. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis levels were then evaluated by echocardiographic, histopathological, and molecular biological methods. RESULTS: Our results showed that LIPUS could ameliorate left ventricular remodeling in vivo and cardiac fibrosis in vitro by reducing AngII-induced release of inflammatory cytokines, but the protective effects on cardiac hypertrophy were limited in vitro. Given that LIPUS increased the expression of caveolin-1 in response to mechanical stimulation, we inhibited caveolin-1 activity with pyrazolopyrimidine 2 (pp2) in vivo and in vitro. LIPUS-induced downregulation of inflammation was reversed and the anti-fibrotic effects of LIPUS were absent. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that LIPUS could ameliorate AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis by alleviating inflammation via a caveolin-1-dependent pathway, providing new insights for the development of novel therapeutic apparatus in clinical practice.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of CTA in the bronchial artery embolization treatment.Methods TwentyGeight patients undergoing bronchial artery embolization treatment were divided into two groups.Patients with the examination of bronchial artery CTA before interventional treatment were in group A,others in group B.In group A,according to the distribution of the bronchial artery shown by the CTA,the appropriate catheter was selected for the bronchial artery angiography and embolization.In group B,various catheters for the bronchial artery angiography were performed to find the responsible blood vessels for embolization.The total therapeutic effect, operation time,DSA exposure time and contrast agent were compared between the two groups.Results The pretreatment CTA and DSA contrast were compared and the consistency of the bronchial artery was 90.9%.The effective efficiency of group A was 100%, and the effective rate of group B was 83.3 3%.The time of operation was (6 6.9 ± 1 4.5 )min in group A and (1 3 3.5 ± 1 9.4)min in group B,respectively.DSA exposure time was (2 7.9 ± 1 3.8)min and (5 5.1 ± 1 7.2 )min respectively,and the contrast agent dosage was (89.7±1 7.1)mL and (235.1±1 6.6)mL respectively.The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P＜0.0 1).Conclusion The bronchial artery CTA examination before interventional treatment is an advantage in increasing the success rate,saving time,and improving efficacy.

Objective To investigate the influence mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on β-glycerophosphate-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification.Methods The effect of CS on VSMC cell viability was detected by CCK-8.The cellular models of rat VSMC calcification were established by treating with β-glycerophosphate (β-GP,10 mmol/L);then CS (10 mg/L),autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA,5 mmol/L),and AMPK inhibitor compound C (CC,10 μmol/L) were added to the cell cultures.There were a total of 5 experiment groups:VSMC cultured in normal medium (Control),VSMC treated with β-GP,VSMC treated with β-GP and CS,VSMC treated with 3-MA,β-GP and CS,and VSMC treated with CC,β-GP and CS.The calcium nodules and calcium content were examined with alizarin red S staining and the O-cresolphthaleincomplexone method,respectively.The autophagosomes within the VSMC were observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM).Immunofluorescence showed the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) puncta.In addition,levels of osteogenic related proteins,autophagy related proteins,and AMPK/mTOR pathway related proteins were evaluated by Western blotting.Results CS increased the number of autophagosomes and the accumulation of LC3 puncta within VSMC.It also upregulated the protein levels of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ,beclin1,α-SMA,and p-AMPK;whereas,the protein levels of Runx2 and p-mTOR,as well as calcium nodules and calcium content were reduced (all P ＜ 0.01).When the cells were pretreated with 3-MA before treating with β-GP and CS,the autophagosomes,accumulation of LC3 puncta,and protein levels of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ,beclinl,and α-SMA were decreased (all P ＜ 0.01);however,the protein level of Runx2,and the calcium nodules and calcium content were increased (all P ＜ 0.01).Nevertheless,when the cells were pretreated with CC before giving β-GP and CS,the autophagosomes,the accumulation of LC3 puncta,and the expression levels of p-AMPK,LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ,beclin1,and α-SMA were significantly down-regulated (all P ＜ 0.01);whereas,the expression levels of Runx2 and p-mTOR,as well as calcium nodules and calcium content were increased (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions CS can effectively alleviate β-GP-induced VSMC calcification,which may be due to the activation of autophagy by AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the injury characteristics of victims and treatment strategies in the explosion accident on the 17th May 2018 in Xixia county (Xixia "May 17th" explosion accident). Methods Based on the practice featured in pre-hospital emergency of Henan province and Nanyang city Emergency Center in the explosion accident, a retrospective analysis for the Level Three medical rescue was conducted, where a total of thirteen survived victims in Xixia "May 17" explosion accident were studied retrospectively. The data included the gender, age, burned extent and depth of the patients, burns complicated by trauma, complication of burn, respiratory function maintenance, resuscitation during shock stage, skin grafting with excision and scab. Furthermore, the data of organ function and the effect of the 90-day comprehensive treatment for the burned victims wereanalyzed. Results completion the Level Three treatment on time, which was depended on the leading role played by the regional trauma centers was the main rescuing mode of the work in Xixia county, where the primary and secondary treatments were the key parts. The three-level treatment model includes: the local hospital acts as a level-one emergency medical institution, county hospitals function as secondary emergency medical institutions, and other higher medical institutions are the tertiary first aid medical institutions. The pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency procedures were initiated immediately after the large-scale explosive burn being identified, the key to the successfully rescue was to set up a comprehensive treatment team for burns and trauma. Rescue team should involve burn department and other related departments, including the departments of emergency, general surgery, orthopedic, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, intensive care unit, blood transfusion unit, anesthesiology, and interventional radiology, etc. All the thirteen burned patients were male, with inhalation injury, blast injury, hemopneumothorax, brain injury, bone fractures, and etc. Eight of them (61.54%) had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). MODS mainly involved respiratory, circulatory, liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidney and coagulation function. With the multi-discipline treatment, the wound of 6 severely-burned patients started healing and can be discharged after keeping the patency of airway, applying resuscitation fluid and comprehensive treatments such as debridement and dressing change. Among 7 patients with extensive deep burns, one case with skull-based fracture, open craniocerebral, extensive intracranial hemorrhage and hemopneumothorax, died 9 hours later. Another case died within 24 hours after injury due to obvious exudation on the site of early incision and relaxation of wound. The escharotomy, micro-dermis and allograft skin transplantation were carried out for five cases with extensive deep burns from the 4th day after the recovery of shock. One week later, the second stage of microsphere skin transplantation was performed. But all died of sepsis or fungal infection. Conclusions MODS and infection often occur during the course especially for patients with extensive and deep burns due to the great explosion in Xixia county, most of whom were accompanied with MODS and infection. Therefore, assembling multi-discipline team for treating the group of explosively-burned patients can increase the survival rate and reduce the possibility of disability.

Objective To study the effect of cyclosporine combined with eleven acid testosterone on serum T helper cells in patients with chronic aplastic anemia.Methods A total of 86 patients with chronic aplastic anemia received treatment in our hospital were collected as the research objects,and divided into experimental group and control group,patients in the experimental group received eleven acid testosterone combined with cyclosporine therapy,patients in the control group received eleven acid testosterone therapy.Blood routine indexes,Th1,Th2,Th17 and Treg cells contents of the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results Before treatment,hemoglobin content,leukocyte count,platelet count,peripheral blood Th1,Th2,Th17 and Treg cells contents of the two groups had no significant difference(P>0.05).After two courses of treatment,hemoglobin content,leukocyte count,platelet count of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group.After two courses and four courses of treatment,peripheral blood Th1 and Th17 contents of experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group,Th2 and Treg contents were significantly higher than those of the control group.Conclusion Eleven acid testosterone combined with cyclosporine treatment could be more effective to stimulate hematopoiesis,regulate immune function and T lymphocyte subsets content,it′s an effective method for the treatment of chronic aplastic anemia.

Objective:To study influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) levels and blood pressure variability (BPV) in aged patients with essential hypertension (EH) .Methods:A total of 80 aged EH +T2DM patients treated in our hospital from Jun 2014 to Jan 2016 were selected as observation group ,another 80 aged pure EH patients were selected as EH control group .The 24hABP indexes and BPV indexes were compared between two groups . Results:Compared with EH control group , there were significant rise in 24h mean systolic blood pressure [24hSBP , (126.47 ± 9.64) mmHg vs .(134.98 ± 10.63) mmHg] ,nighttime mean SBP [nSBP ,(125.73 ± 10.19) mmHg vs .(133.74 ± 11.29) mmHg] ,daytime mean SBP [dSBP ,(128.29 ± 10.97) mmHg vs .(136.42 ± 12.18) mmHg] ,daytime mean pulse pressure [dPP ,(59.46 ± 10.79) mmHg vs .(65.38 ± 11.69) mmHg] ,nPP [ (58.00 ± 10.11) mmHg vs .(67.14 ± 9.93) mmHg] and 24hPP [ (59.27 ± 10.16) mmHg vs .(64.76 ± 11.62) mmHg] , P<0.01 all;and significant rise in 24hSBP standard deviation [24hSBPSD ,(12.63 ± 2.87) mmHg vs .(18.41 ± 3.09) mmHg] and nSBPSD [ (10.14 ± 3.53) mmHg vs .(14.89 ± 3.54) mmHg] in observation group , P<0.01 both .Conclusion:Diabetes mellitus elevates daytime and nighttime SBP ,increases BPV and risk of cardiovascular diseases in aged EH patients .