1.Three-dimensional displacement and risk factors of midshaft clavicle fractures treated with titanium elastic intramedullary nailing
Junwei ZHANG ; Lingling CHEN ; Zhenyuan MA ; Weizhi NIE ; Chaohui LI ; Haitao WANG ; Laibao DUAN ; Jinyong HOU ; Hongzheng BI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):269-277
BACKGROUND:Titanium elastic intramedullary nailing for the treatment of significantly displaced midshaft clavicle fractures has the characteristics of minimally invasive and elastic fixation.The displacement of the fracture is closely related to the later function.However,there are few studies on the three-dimensional displacement analysis of the fracture ends before surgery and after intramedullary fixation such as titanium elastic intramedullary nailing.OBJECTIVE:To explore the three-dimensional displacement of fracture ends after midshaft clavicle fracture and fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nails,and to analyze the risk factors.METHODS:A total of 91 patients with midshaft clavicle fracture(fracture end shortening ≥15 mm)admitted to Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital of Shandong Province from April 2019 to April 2024 were selected,including 57 males and 34 females,aged(51.73±10.21)years old.All patients received closed reduction and internal fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nail.CT scans of the affected clavicle were performed before and on the first day after surgery.The CT data were imported into Mimics software for modeling.The length of the clavicle,lateral displacement of the fracture end,and rotation of the distal end of the fracture along the X,Y,and Z axes were measured and recorded before and after surgery.Pearson correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis of various parameters,and generalized linear regression was used to evaluate risk factors.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Preoperatively,the variable that increased the risk of lateral displacement was the number of comminuted bone fragments,the variable that increased the risk of shortening displacement was male patients,and the variable that increased the risk of Z-axis rotation was the left limb.Shortening displacement was significantly positively correlated with lateral displacement(r=0.715,P<0.001);shortening displacement was significantly positively correlated with X-axis rotation displacement and Y-axis rotation displacement(r=0.265,P=0.028;r=0.303,P=0.011);lateral displacement was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation and Z-axis rotation(r=0.258,P=0.032;r=0.250,P=0.038);X-axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation(r=0.382,P=0.001),and Z-axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation(r=0.280,P=0.020).(2)Postoperatively:The number of scapula fractures and comminuted bone fragments were variables that increased the risk of postoperative shortening and lateral displacement:Preoperative X-,Y-,and Z-axis rotation displacements were risk variables that increased postoperative X-,Y-,and Z-axis rotation displacements,respectively.Postoperative lateral displacement was significantly positively correlated with postoperative shortening and displacement(r=0.584,P=0.000),and postoperative lateral displacement was also significantly positively correlated with postoperative Y axis rotation and Z axis rotation(r=0.360,P=0.002;r=0.250,P=0.038).Postoperative Y axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with postoperative Z axis rotation(r=0.248,P=0.040).(3)The results showed that the three-dimensional displacement of the clavicle end before and after surgery was affected by many factors,especially the number of comminuted bone fragments,scapula fractures,gender,and original rotation displacement.At the same time,there were complex correlations between various displacements,especially the correlation between shortening displacement and lateral displacement was the strongest.
2.Three-dimensional displacement and risk factors of midshaft clavicle fractures treated with titanium elastic intramedullary nailing
Junwei ZHANG ; Lingling CHEN ; Zhenyuan MA ; Weizhi NIE ; Chaohui LI ; Haitao WANG ; Laibao DUAN ; Jinyong HOU ; Hongzheng BI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):269-277
BACKGROUND:Titanium elastic intramedullary nailing for the treatment of significantly displaced midshaft clavicle fractures has the characteristics of minimally invasive and elastic fixation.The displacement of the fracture is closely related to the later function.However,there are few studies on the three-dimensional displacement analysis of the fracture ends before surgery and after intramedullary fixation such as titanium elastic intramedullary nailing.OBJECTIVE:To explore the three-dimensional displacement of fracture ends after midshaft clavicle fracture and fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nails,and to analyze the risk factors.METHODS:A total of 91 patients with midshaft clavicle fracture(fracture end shortening ≥15 mm)admitted to Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital of Shandong Province from April 2019 to April 2024 were selected,including 57 males and 34 females,aged(51.73±10.21)years old.All patients received closed reduction and internal fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nail.CT scans of the affected clavicle were performed before and on the first day after surgery.The CT data were imported into Mimics software for modeling.The length of the clavicle,lateral displacement of the fracture end,and rotation of the distal end of the fracture along the X,Y,and Z axes were measured and recorded before and after surgery.Pearson correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis of various parameters,and generalized linear regression was used to evaluate risk factors.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Preoperatively,the variable that increased the risk of lateral displacement was the number of comminuted bone fragments,the variable that increased the risk of shortening displacement was male patients,and the variable that increased the risk of Z-axis rotation was the left limb.Shortening displacement was significantly positively correlated with lateral displacement(r=0.715,P<0.001);shortening displacement was significantly positively correlated with X-axis rotation displacement and Y-axis rotation displacement(r=0.265,P=0.028;r=0.303,P=0.011);lateral displacement was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation and Z-axis rotation(r=0.258,P=0.032;r=0.250,P=0.038);X-axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation(r=0.382,P=0.001),and Z-axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation(r=0.280,P=0.020).(2)Postoperatively:The number of scapula fractures and comminuted bone fragments were variables that increased the risk of postoperative shortening and lateral displacement:Preoperative X-,Y-,and Z-axis rotation displacements were risk variables that increased postoperative X-,Y-,and Z-axis rotation displacements,respectively.Postoperative lateral displacement was significantly positively correlated with postoperative shortening and displacement(r=0.584,P=0.000),and postoperative lateral displacement was also significantly positively correlated with postoperative Y axis rotation and Z axis rotation(r=0.360,P=0.002;r=0.250,P=0.038).Postoperative Y axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with postoperative Z axis rotation(r=0.248,P=0.040).(3)The results showed that the three-dimensional displacement of the clavicle end before and after surgery was affected by many factors,especially the number of comminuted bone fragments,scapula fractures,gender,and original rotation displacement.At the same time,there were complex correlations between various displacements,especially the correlation between shortening displacement and lateral displacement was the strongest.
3.Breast-conserving surgery vs. mastectomy in centrally located breast cancer
Wenjing ZENG ; Shouman WANG ; Ayong CAO ; Weizhi XIA ; Jinyue GAO ; Liya LI ; Ziqi TANG ; Hongmei WANG ; Juan HUANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(8):1726-1737
Background and Aims:Centrally located breast cancer(CLBC),due to its proximity to the nipple-areolar complex,has long been treated primarily with mastectomy,while the oncologic safety of breast-conserving surgery(BCS)remains controversial.This study,based on a large-scale database combined with a real-world cohort,compared the survival outcomes of BCS and mastectomy to evaluate the feasibility and oncologic safety of BCS in CLBC patients.Methods:Data of 10 325 female CLBC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were extracted from the SEER database,including 5 601 patients who underwent BCS and 4 724 who underwent mastectomy.Propensity score matching(PSM)yielded 1 951 matched pairs,and disease-specific survival(DSS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between groups.Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors,and subgroup analyses were conducted.Additionally,an independent validation cohort from Xiangya Hospital,Central South University(2015-2016)included 221 BCS and 636 mastectomy patients,with OS and progression-free survival(PFS)assessed.Results:After PSM,baseline characteristics between groups were well balanced.Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no significant differences in DSS or OS between BCS and mastectomy,and 5-,7-,and 10-year OS rates were comparable(all P>0.05).Subgroup analyses revealed equivalent outcomes for BCS and mastectomy in patients with T1/T2 disease,different HER2 statuses,and those receiving chemotherapy,while in patients receiving radiotherapy,BCS showed significantly better DSS and OS than mastectomy(both P<0.05).Multivariate Cox regression identified T,N,and M stage,histologic grade,molecular subtype,ER/PR status,and chemotherapy as independent prognostic factors(all P<0.05),whereas surgical type was not(P>0.05).The validation cohort confirmed the SEER findings,with no significant differences in OS or PFS between the two groups(both P>0.05).Conclusions:BCS provides DSS and OS comparable to mastectomy in CLBC patients and may confer additional survival benefits when combined with radiotherapy.These findings suggest that CLBC should not be considered a contraindication to BCS,supporting BCS as a feasible and safe surgical strategy that offers valuable evidence for individualized clinical decision-making and may help improve patients' quality of life.
4.Relationship between Serum CCL23,STC1 Level Expression and Prognosis in Patients with Severe Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Bo CHEN ; Yabin YUN ; Weizhi WANG ; Junfeng DU ; Hongyan FAN
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(1):143-147,157
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum C-C motif ligand 23 (CCL23),Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) levels and prognosis in patients with severe hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). Methods A total of 122 severe HICH patients who visited the Department of Neurosurgery,Hohhot First Hospital from March 2021 to March 2023 were regarded as the study subjects (HICH group),122 patients with mild HICH during the same period (mild group) and 122 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations were considered healthy. HICH patients were separated into survival group(n=94) and death group(n=28)based on prognosis. ELISA was applied to detect serum levels of CCL23 and STC1. Spearson on method was used to analyze correlations and multivariate COX regression was used to investigate the influencing factors of prognosis in HICH patients,and ROC curve was applied to analyze the predictive value of serum CCL23 and STC1 levels for the prognosis. Kaplan-Meier was applied to analyze the relationship between serum CCL23,STC1 levels and clinical outcomes. Results Serum CCL23(53.32±10.85pg/ml,78.49±11.21pg/ml,112.47±11.53pg/ml)and STC1 (15.12±2.63ng/ml,19.07±2.58ng/ml,22.15±2.75ng/ml)levels in the healthy group,mild disease group and HICH group were increased successively,and the differences was statistically significant (F=856.967,215.043,all P<0.05). The serum levels of CCL23 (108.02±13.51pg/ml) and STC1 (21.06±3.28ng/ml) in the survival group were lower than those in the death group(127.41±13.55 pg/ml,25.83±3.23 ng/ml),the Glasgow coma (GCS) score (8.95±0.92 ) of the survival group was higher than that of the death group(7.61±0.77),and the differences were statistically significant (t=6.663,6.810,7.005,all P<0.001). The serum levels of CCL23 and STC1 were negatively correlated with GCS score (r=-0.481,-0.426,all P<0.001). CCL23[OR(95%CI):1.240(1.091~1.409)],STC[OR(95%CI):1.754(1.215~2.533)]and GCS[OR(95%CI):0.087(0.020~0.382)]score were the influencing factors for poor prognosis in HICH patients . The AUC(95%CI) of CCL23 combined STC1 in the prediction of the prognosis of HICH patients was 0.939 (0.880~0.974) which was higher than that of single diagnosis (Z=1.974,2.040,P=0.048,0.041),the sensitivity and specificity of combined diagnosis were 85.71% and 94.68%,respectively. The 6-month follow-up survival rate of patients with high expression of CCL23 and STC1 (51.06% vs 93.33%,56.86% vs 91.55%) was lower than that of patients with low expression of CCL23 and STC1,and the differences were statistically signrficant (Log rank x2=34.777,23.781,all P<0.05). Conclusion The serum levels of CCL23 and STC1 are high in severe HICH patients,which are closely related to their prognosis. High expression of CCL23 and STC1 may indicate poor clinical outcomes in patients.
5.Breast-conserving surgery vs. mastectomy in centrally located breast cancer
Wenjing ZENG ; Shouman WANG ; Ayong CAO ; Weizhi XIA ; Jinyue GAO ; Liya LI ; Ziqi TANG ; Hongmei WANG ; Juan HUANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(8):1726-1737
Background and Aims:Centrally located breast cancer(CLBC),due to its proximity to the nipple-areolar complex,has long been treated primarily with mastectomy,while the oncologic safety of breast-conserving surgery(BCS)remains controversial.This study,based on a large-scale database combined with a real-world cohort,compared the survival outcomes of BCS and mastectomy to evaluate the feasibility and oncologic safety of BCS in CLBC patients.Methods:Data of 10 325 female CLBC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were extracted from the SEER database,including 5 601 patients who underwent BCS and 4 724 who underwent mastectomy.Propensity score matching(PSM)yielded 1 951 matched pairs,and disease-specific survival(DSS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between groups.Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors,and subgroup analyses were conducted.Additionally,an independent validation cohort from Xiangya Hospital,Central South University(2015-2016)included 221 BCS and 636 mastectomy patients,with OS and progression-free survival(PFS)assessed.Results:After PSM,baseline characteristics between groups were well balanced.Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no significant differences in DSS or OS between BCS and mastectomy,and 5-,7-,and 10-year OS rates were comparable(all P>0.05).Subgroup analyses revealed equivalent outcomes for BCS and mastectomy in patients with T1/T2 disease,different HER2 statuses,and those receiving chemotherapy,while in patients receiving radiotherapy,BCS showed significantly better DSS and OS than mastectomy(both P<0.05).Multivariate Cox regression identified T,N,and M stage,histologic grade,molecular subtype,ER/PR status,and chemotherapy as independent prognostic factors(all P<0.05),whereas surgical type was not(P>0.05).The validation cohort confirmed the SEER findings,with no significant differences in OS or PFS between the two groups(both P>0.05).Conclusions:BCS provides DSS and OS comparable to mastectomy in CLBC patients and may confer additional survival benefits when combined with radiotherapy.These findings suggest that CLBC should not be considered a contraindication to BCS,supporting BCS as a feasible and safe surgical strategy that offers valuable evidence for individualized clinical decision-making and may help improve patients' quality of life.
6.Rethinking of robotic radical gastric cancer surgery: similarities and differences to laparoscopic surgery
Fengyuan LI ; Hongda LIU ; Zhongyuan HE ; Zhe XUAN ; Weizhi WANG ; Linjun WANG ; Zekuan XU ; Hao XU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(2):191-194
The da Vinci Surgical System provides surgeons with a three-dimensional image view with greater clarity, which improves surgical precision, particularly in confined surgical spaces. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery has a shorter learning curve and may be a better choice for surgeons. However, some surgeons are susceptible to laparoscopic experience when performing robotic surgery, which can diminish the advantages of the robotic system. We discussed some key issues such as indications, use of energy instruments, surgical approach, lymph node dissection, and digestive tract reconstruction, from the habit of laparoscopic surgery, in light of our team's experience with robotic radical gastric cancer surgery and the latest literature, in order to help beginners better understand the robotic surgical system.
7.Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy
Yawei QIAN ; Zhongyuan HE ; Fengyuan LI ; Pengyu LI ; Weizhi WANG ; Linjun WANG ; Diancai ZHANG ; Hao XU ; Zekuan XU ; Li YANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(8):908-915
Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic purse- string suture clamps combined with multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis during total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy (TLTG).Methods:This was a retrospective descriptive study of 42 patients with primary gastric malignancies who underwent TLTG at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University that utilized laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis between May, 2024 and January, 2025. The cohort included 33 males and 9 females, with a mean age of (67.7 ±9.5) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of (23.9±2.9) kg/m 2. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications were I - II in 40 patients and III in 2 patients, and all patients were definitively diagnosed preoperatively via gastroscopy, dual-energy CT, and/or MRI. Tumor locations included the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) in 28 cases (Siewert type II - III), the upper third of the stomach in 12 cases, and the middle third in 2 cases. The median distance of esophageal invasion was 1.3 cm, though in 10 cases this was ≥2 cm. Preoperative TNM staging was I-II in 17 patients and III in 25 patients. Surgical outcomes including operative time, anastomosis time, intraoperative blood loss, pathological results, and postoperative recovery were retrospectively analyzed. Results:All 42 operations were successful. The mean operative time was(212.5±26.4) minutes, and the average time from multi-functional seal cap placement to completion of the esophagojejunal anastomosis was (54.2±7.5) minutes. Mean intraoperative blood loss was (79.9±21.3) ml. Postoperative pathology confirmed R0 resection in all specimens, with a mean proximal esophageal margin distance of (2.1±1.6) cm. Furthermore, (51.9±15.1) lymph nodes on average were harvested from each patient; the mean time to oral intake was (149.5±41.4) hours; and the mean hospital stay was (11.3±5.4) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients: anastomotic leakage ( n=2), residual intra-abdominal infection ( n=1), pulmonary infection ( n=3), and Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications occurred in 2 patients. No recurrence, mortality, or anastomosis-related complications were observed within a median follow-up of 5.8 months (range 3.5-11.2). Conclusion:We find the application of the laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis in TLTG to be safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term outcomes.
8.Current status and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer
Wenjing ZENG ; Juan HUANG ; Shouman WANG ; Yangyi LI ; Weizhi XIA ; Yulong ZHANG ; Jun WU ; Taohong SHEN ; Fangli ZHOU ; Ayong CAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):1044-1055
Inflammatory breast cancer(IBC)is a rare but highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by rapid clinical progression and poor prognosis.Although it accounts for only 2%-4%of all breast cancer cases,it is responsible for 8%-10%of breast cancer-related mortality.The etiology of IBC is multifactorial,involving genetic,hormonal,environmental,and socioeconomic factors.Pathologically,IBC is marked by the presence of dermal lymphatic tumor emboli,and molecular subtypes are predominantly HER2-positive and triple-negative,indicating high tumor invasiveness.Diagnosis relies on characteristic clinical manifestations and histopathological confirmation,while imaging techniques such as MRI and PET/CT play important roles in evaluating disease extent and metastasis.Given that IBC is often diagnosed at a locally advanced or metastatic stage,there is currently no specific treatment protocol.Instead,management generally follows the treatment paradigm of non-IBC,emphasizing systemic therapy within a multidisciplinary framework.HER2-positive IBC benefits from chemotherapy combined with dual-targeted anti-HER2 therapy;triple-negative IBC may respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors;and CDK4/6 inhibitors show potential efficacy in hormone receptor-positive subtypes.Despite advancements,the prognosis remains poor,with a high risk of early recurrence and distant metastasis.Prognostic factors include lymph node involvement,molecular subtype,and response to neoadjuvant therapy.As research into the tumor microenvironment and molecular mechanisms deepens,targeted and individualized therapies hold promise for improving outcomes.This review summarizes the epidemiology,pathology,diagnostic criteria,treatment strategies,and prognostic factors of IBC,aiming to inform clinical practice and future research.
9.Current status and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer
Wenjing ZENG ; Juan HUANG ; Shouman WANG ; Yangyi LI ; Weizhi XIA ; Yulong ZHANG ; Jun WU ; Taohong SHEN ; Fangli ZHOU ; Ayong CAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):1044-1055
Inflammatory breast cancer(IBC)is a rare but highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by rapid clinical progression and poor prognosis.Although it accounts for only 2%-4%of all breast cancer cases,it is responsible for 8%-10%of breast cancer-related mortality.The etiology of IBC is multifactorial,involving genetic,hormonal,environmental,and socioeconomic factors.Pathologically,IBC is marked by the presence of dermal lymphatic tumor emboli,and molecular subtypes are predominantly HER2-positive and triple-negative,indicating high tumor invasiveness.Diagnosis relies on characteristic clinical manifestations and histopathological confirmation,while imaging techniques such as MRI and PET/CT play important roles in evaluating disease extent and metastasis.Given that IBC is often diagnosed at a locally advanced or metastatic stage,there is currently no specific treatment protocol.Instead,management generally follows the treatment paradigm of non-IBC,emphasizing systemic therapy within a multidisciplinary framework.HER2-positive IBC benefits from chemotherapy combined with dual-targeted anti-HER2 therapy;triple-negative IBC may respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors;and CDK4/6 inhibitors show potential efficacy in hormone receptor-positive subtypes.Despite advancements,the prognosis remains poor,with a high risk of early recurrence and distant metastasis.Prognostic factors include lymph node involvement,molecular subtype,and response to neoadjuvant therapy.As research into the tumor microenvironment and molecular mechanisms deepens,targeted and individualized therapies hold promise for improving outcomes.This review summarizes the epidemiology,pathology,diagnostic criteria,treatment strategies,and prognostic factors of IBC,aiming to inform clinical practice and future research.
10.Efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya Pills with Different Proportions of Goat Horn Replacing Antelope Horn on Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Tengjian WANG ; Wanlu ZHAO ; Yang YU ; Yan LIU ; Kun CAO ; Zheyuan LIN ; Yue WU ; Lilan LUO ; Weizhi LAI ; Zhaohuan LOU ; Qiaoyan ZHANG ; Quanlong ZHANG ; Luping QIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):68-78
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.

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