OBJECTIVE To explore the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of vitexin on inflammation in ulcerative colitis （UC） mice. METHODS The UC mice model was established by continuous administration of 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 5 days. Mice with successful modeling were randomly divided into UC group， vitexin low- and high-dose groups （vitexin-L and vitexin-H groups， 40， 80 mg/kg）， mesalazine group （400 mg/kg）， and vitexin-H+recombinant Jagged canonical Notch ligand 1 （rJagged-1） group （vitexin-H+rJagged-1 group， 80 mg/kg vitexin+1 mg/kg rJagged-1）， with 12 mice in each group. Another 12 normal mice were used as the control （CK） group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drugs or the corresponding drugs and normal saline by gavage and intraperitoneal injection once daily for 7 consecutive days. General conditions were observed during the experiment. At 24 h after the last administration， the disease activity index （DAI） score was evaluated. Colonic histopathological morphology was observed and scored. Macrophage polarization levels in the spleen and colon tissues were measured. The protein expressions of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-10， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， transforming growth factor-β 1 （TGF-β 1 ）， Jagged-1， Notch1 and Notch intracellular domain （NICD） in colonic tissues were determined. RESULTS Compared with the UC group， the symptoms （reduced food and water intake， dull fur， etc.） and pathological changes （epithelial cell shedding， inflammatory cell infiltration， etc.） were significantly improved in the vitexin-L， vitexin-H and mesalazine groups. DAI scores， colonic histopathological scores， M1 macrophage contents in spleen tissue， M1/M2 macrophage ratios， M1 macrophage proportions in colon tissue， and protein expressions of IL-6， TNF-α， Jagged-1， Notch1 and NICD in colon tissue were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. Meanwhile， the M2 macrophage contents in spleen tissue， M2 macrophage proportions in colon tissue， and protein expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β 1 in colon tissue were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. Moreover， the improvement effects in the vitexin-H and mesalazine groups were significantly superior to those in the vitexin-L group （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the vitexin-H group， the above symptoms and pathological changes were aggravated， and all quantitative indicators were significantly reversed in the vitexin-H+rJagged-1 group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Vitexin can ameliorate the inflammation of UC mice， which is associated with its inhibition of the Jagged-1/Notch1 pathway and regulation of macrophage polarization （inhibition of M1-type polarization and promotion of M2-type polarization）.

ObjectiveNon-invasive magnetic stimulation technology has been widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but there is a lack of convenient and timely methods for evaluating and providing feedback on the effectiveness of the stimulation, which can be used to guide the adjustment of the stimulation protocol. This study aims to explore the possibility of heart rate variability (HRV) in diagnosing AD and guiding AD magnetic stimulation intervention techniques. MethodsIn this study, we used a 40 Hz, 10 mT pulsed magnetic field to expose AD mouse models to whole-body exposure for 18 d, and detected the behavioral and electroencephalographic signals before and after exposure, as well as the instant electrocardiographic signals after exposure every day. ResultsUsing one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we found that some HRV indicators could identify AD mouse models as accurately as behavioral and electroencephalogram(EEG) changes (P<0.05) and significantly distinguish the severity of the disease (P<0.05), including rMSSD, pNN6, LF/HF, SD1/SD2, and entropy arrangement. These HRV indicators showed good correlation and statistical significance with behavioral and EEG changes (r>0.3, P<0.05); HRV indicators were significantly modulated by the magnetic field exposure before and after the exposure, both of which were observed in the continuous changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) (P<0.05), and the trend of the stimulation effect was more accurately observed in the continuous changes of ECG. ConclusionHRV can accurately reflect the pathophysiological changes and disease degree, quickly evaluate the effect of magnetic stimulation, and has the potential to guide the pattern of magnetic exposure, providing a new idea for the study of personalized electromagnetic neuroregulation technology for brain diseases.

This study developed a core outcome set(COS) for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) interventions in diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN), standardizing evaluation metrics for TCM efficacy and providing a new framework for DPN treatment and management. A systematic search was conducted across databases, including CNKI, Wanfang, and PubMed, targeting clinical trial literature published between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2023. The search focused on extracting outcome indicators and measurement tools used in TCM treatments for DPN. Retrospective data collection was performed from January 2018 to June 2023, involving 200 DPN patients hospitalized at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with inpatients, outpatients, their families, and nursing staff to further refine and enhance the list of outcome indicators. After two rounds of Delphi questionnaire survey and consensus meeting, a consensus was reached. The study initially retrieved 3 421 publications, of which 170 met the inclusion criteria after review. These publications, combined with retrospective analysis and semi-structured interviews, supplemented the list of indicators. After two rounds of Delphi surveys, experts agreed on 24 indicators and 6 measurement tools. The final COS determined by expert consensus meeting included 5 domains and 13 outcome indicators: neurological function signs, quality of life, TCM syndrome score, nerve conduction velocity, current perception threshold test, fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, complete blood count, urinalysis, liver function test, kidney function test, and electrocardiogram.
Humans ; Diabetic Neuropathies/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the common mechanisms among collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and CIA+BLM to evaluate the therapeutic effect of triptolide (TP) on CIA+BLM. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups according to a random number table (n=6 per group): normal control (NC), CIA, BLM, combined CIA+BLM model, TP low-dose (TP-L, 0.0931 mg/kg), and TP high-dose (TP-H, 0.1862 mg/kg) groups. The CIA model was induced by intradermal injection at the base of the tail with emulsion of bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (1:1), with 200 µL administered on day 0 and a booster of 100 µL on day 7. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced via a single intratracheal injection of BLM (5 mg/kg). The CIA+BLM model combined both protocols, and TP was administered orally from day 14 to 35. After successful modeling, arthritis scores were recorded every 3 days, and pulmonary function was assessed once at the end of the treatment period. Lung tissues were collected for histological analysis (hematoxylin eosin and Masson staining), immunohistochemistry, measurement of hydroxyproline (HYP) content, and calculation of lung coefficient. In addition, HE staining was performed on the ankle joint. Total RNA was extracted from lung tissues for transcriptomic analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were compared with those from the RA-associated interstitial lung diseases patient dataset GSE199152 to identify overlapping genes, which were then used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Hub genes were identified using multiple topological algorithms. RESULTS: The successfully established CIA+BLM rat model exhibited significantly increased arthritis scores and severe pulmonary fibrosis (P<0.01). By intersecting the DEGs obtained from transcriptomic analysis of lung tissues in CIA, BLM, and CIA+BLM rats with DEGs from rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease patients (GSE199152 dataset), 50 upregulated and 44 downregulated genes were identified. Through integrated PPI network analysis using multiple topological algorithms, IGF1 was identified as a central hub gene. TP intervention significantly improved pulmonary function by increasing peak inspiratory flow (P<0.01), and reduced lung index and HYP content (P<0.01). Histopathological analysis showed that TP alleviated alveolar collapse, interstitial thickening, and collagen deposition in the lung tissues (P<0.01). Moreover, TP treatment reduced the expression of collagen type I and α-SMA and increased E-cadherin levels (P<0.01). TP also significantly reduced arthritis scores and ameliorated synovial inflammation (P<0.05). Both transcriptomic and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that IGF1 expression was elevated in the CIA+BLM group and downregulated following TP treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION TP exerts protective effects in the CIA+BLM model by alleviating arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis through the inhibition of IGF1-mediated EMT.
Animals ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/complications* ; Bleomycin/adverse effects* ; Phenanthrenes/pharmacology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Epoxy Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Arthritis, Experimental/complications* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism* ; Rats ; Lung/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC. RESULTS: Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSION Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Ubiquitination/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Flavones

Background: Intradermal microdroplet injections of botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT/A) effectively ameliorate rosacea-related angiogenesis, but the mechanism remains unclear. Objective: To explore the anti-angiogenesis of BoNT/A in the rosacea-like mouse model and to measure the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by mast cells. Methods: A rosacea-like mouse model was induced by LL37 in both Mas-related G-proteincoupled receptor B2 conditional knockout (MrgprB2 −/− ) mice and wild-type (WT) mice, then treated with BoNT/A and/or Apatinib. The abundance of endothelial cells and mast cells in mouse skin was determined using dual immunofluorescence staining. The VEGF levels in supernatants and cell lysates of laboratory of allergic disease 2 (LAD2) mast cells were assessed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blots, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of conditioned medium (CM) collected from LAD2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was determined using tube formation assays. The number of proliferative cells was confirmed using the 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation assays.The effect of BoNT/A on the internalization of Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) was detected using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Results: LL37-induced rosacea-like skin manifestations were significantly alleviated in MrgprB2 −/− mice compared to WT controls. BoNT/A mitigated the LL37-induced secretion of VEGF by LAD2. The CM from BoNT/A-treated LAD2 inhibited HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. The LAD2 cells co-treated with LL37 and BoNT/A exhibited dramatically enhanced MRGPRX2 internalization. Conclusion BoNT/A enhances LL37-mediated MRGPRX2 internalization in mast cells, thereby reducing VEGF secretion and neovascularization and improving facial flushing symptom in rosacea.

Objective:To investigate the differences and applicability of free silica detection methods of different crystal forms in dust, and to provide a basis for the selection of various methods.Methods:From December 2021 to June 2022, dust samples from 20 enterprises in different industries in 18 cities in Henan Province were randomly selected as the investigation objects. X-ray diffraction (XRD) method was used to analyze the samples and classify the samples. Based on GBZ/T 192.4-2007 "Determination of Dust in the Air of Workplace-Part 4: Content of Free Silica in Dust", pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry were used for quantitative determination. The measured results were analyzed by paired sample t test to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods and their applicable scope. Results:The XRD results of 20 dust samples could be divided into α, β, γ crystal types and the mixed type of α and γ. There was no significant difference between pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry ( P=0.180). The pyrophosphate method results of β, γ and α, γ mixed crystalline free silica were significantly higher than those of infrared spectrophotometry, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:Pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry are suitable for α-type free silica, while pyrophosphate method is suitable for β, γ and α, γ mixed crystalline free silica.

Objective To explore the efficacy of semaglutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)com-bined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and its effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors.Methods Totally 80 patients with T2DM accompanied by NAFLD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected and randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group,with 40 patients in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with pioglitazone metformin and dapagliflozin,while patients in the observation group were treated with pioglitazone metformin,dapagliflozin,and semaglutide.The levels of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),body mass,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT),controlled attenuation parameter(CAP),liver stiffness measurement(LSM),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX),lipid peroxide(LPO),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and interleukin-10(IL-10)before and after the treatment were compared.Results After 24 weeks of treatment,the overall response rate(ORR)in the observation group and control group was 92.5％(37/40)and 72.5％(29/40),respectively;and the ORR in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(x2=5.541,P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the body mass,BMI,waist circumference,HbA1c,FBG,2hPG,ALT,AST,GGT,CAP,LSM,MDA,GSH-PX,LPO,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 of patients between the 2 groups(P＞0.05);after 24 weeks of treatment,the body mass,BMI,waist circumference,HbA1c,FBG,2hPG,ALT,AST,GGT,CAP,LSM,MDA,LPO,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 were significantly lower than before treatment,while GSH-PX was significantly higher than before treatment(P＜0.05);after 24 weeks of treatment,the body mass,BMI,waist circumference,HbA1c,FBG,2hPG,ALT,AST,GGT,CAP,LSM,MDA,LPO,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,and GSH-PX was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group and the control group during the treatment period was 17.5％(7/40)and 12.5％(5/40),respectively;and the difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Semaglutide significantly downregulates the levels of FBG,2hPG and HbA1c in patients with T2DM combined with NAFLD and reduces the body mass,waist circumference,liver enzyme level,hepatic fat content,hepatic fibrosis,oxidative stress,and inflammatory indicators.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of different doses of radioactive iodine-131 on patients with hyperthyroidism.Methods A total of 574 patients with hyperthyroidism treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from April 2020 to April 2023 were sampled for this study and were divided evenly into the observation group and the control group by a random number table,with 287 patients in each group.The control group was treated with high-dose radioactive iodine-131(＞10-15 mCi),while the observation group was provided with low-dose radioactive iodine-131(5-10 mCi).The therapeutic effects were estimated six months after treatment.Data of the two groups of patients before treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment were compared,including the levels of thyroid hormone(FT4),free triiodothyronine(FT3),and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),which were measured through the fluorescence immunochromatography of serum(obtained by centrifugation of 3 mL fasting venous blood),and the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),interleukin-6(IL-6),and IL-1,which were measured through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of serum.The salivary gland uptake index and salivary gland secretion index of the patients before treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment were measured through radionuclide imaging.The incidence of adverse reactions during treatment was documen-ted.The incidence of hypothyroidism in both groups was evaluated 6 months after treatment.Results The total effective rate of the observation group and the control group was 83.27％(234/281)and 92.88％(261/281),respectively,and that of the observation group was significantly higher(x2=12.353,P＜0.05).The FT4,FT3,and TSH levels of the two groups before treatment showed no statistical discrepancy(P＞0.05).According to data collected 3 and 6 months after treatment,FT4 and FT3 levels of both groups significantly decreased,while TSH increased(P＜0.05)compared to corresponding pre-treatment levels;FT4 and FT3 levels of both groups observed 6 months after treatment were significantly lower than those observed 3 months before,in contrast to the growing TSH trend(P＜0.05).At 3 and 6 months after treatment,FT4 and FT3 levels of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group,while TSH levels were significantly higher(P＜0.05).The salivary gland uptake index and salivary gland secretion index between the two groups before treatment showed no statistical discrepancy(P＞0.05).At 3 and 6 months after treatment,such indexes of both groups obviously decreased(P＜0.05).However,those observed 6 months after treatment were higher than three months before(P＜0.05).At 3 months after treatment,the salivary gland uptake index and salivary gland secretion index of the observation group were notably higher than the control group(P＜0.05);at 6 months after treatment,no statistical discrepancy was observed between the two groups in terms of the two indexes(P＞0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistical difference in TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-6,and IL-1 levels between the two groups(P＞0.05).At 3 and 6 months after treatment,the TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-6,and IL-1 levels of both groups decreased significantly from pre-treatment levels(P＜0.05),and the data observed 6 months after treatment were still lower than those observed 3 months after treatment(P＜0.05).At 3 months after treatment,the TNF-α,TGF-β1,IL-6,and IL-1 levels of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05);at 6 months after treatment,no statistical difference was observed between the two groups(P＞0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions during treatment in the control group and the observation group was 16.38％(47/287)and 8.01％(23/287),respectively,and that of the observation group was significantly lower than the other group(x2=8.457,P＜0.05).At 6 months after treatment,the incidence of hypothyroidism in the control group and the observation group was 12.46％(35/281)and 3.56％(10/281),respectively,and that of the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(x2=15.098,P＜0.05).Conclusion Low doses of radioactive iodine-131 work better in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and can effectively alleviate inflammation and salivary gland dysfunction,with less risk of inducing hypothyroidism and adverse reactions.