Intervertebral disc degeneration （IVDD） is the core cause of chronic low back pain， which severely impairs patients’ quality of life and imposes a heavy social and medical burden. The hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） is the core pathological mechanism driving the initiation and progression of IVDD. Natural active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have become a research hotspot in the field of IVDD prevention and treatment due to their advantages of multi-target effects， favorable efficacy， and low toxicity. This paper systematically reviews the mechanism of HIF-1α-mediated hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade in degenerative nucleus pulposus tissue and the intervention of related active ingredients. It is found that natural active ingredients such as baicalein， curcumin and resveratrol can intervene in the HIF-1α-mediated pathological cascade through four core links to delay IVDD progression： targeting the HIF-1α oxygen sensing pathway to block the initiation of pyroptosis cascade， inhibiting NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation to cut off the cascade amplification of inflammatory signals， intervening in the Gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis execution stage to protect cell membrane integrity， and regulating extracellular matrix metabolism to reconstruct intervertebral disc homeostasis.

BACKGROUND:Research has found that human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells have certain therapeutic effects on thin endometrium.However,there are currently no reports on the study of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells on thin endometrium,and there is a lack of relevant research comparing the three.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma,monocytes,and mesenchymal stem cells in repairing thin endometrium in rats.METHODS:Sixty female SPF grade SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group,and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group,with 12 rats in each group.The sham operation group received 0.5 mL physiological saline injection into the uterine horn,followed by 0.5 mL of PBS infusion after 5 minutes;The model group,human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group,and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group were injected with 0.5 mL of 95％ethanol by volume.After 5 minutes,the remaining ethanol was aspirated and washed twice with physiological saline.Then,0.5 mL of PBS,human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells(1×107 cells/mL),and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells(1×107 cells/mL)were perfused separately.During the third normal estrus cycle after reperfusion,organs,tissues and serum were collected for testing of relevant indicators.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The macroscopic view of uterine tissue,hematoxylin eosin staining and Masson staining results:the sham operation group had intact structure,moderate endometrial thickness,and clear vascular structure.Compared with the sham operation group,the model group showed uterine atrophy,incomplete structure,significantly reduced endometrial thickness and glandular quantity,disordered vascular structure,and increased fibrosis.Compared with the model group,after treatment with human umbilical cord blood derivatives,the size,structure,and endometrial thickness of the uterus were restored(all P＜0.01),and fibrosis was reduced,with the most significant recovery observed in the human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group.The increase in glandular quantity was most significant in the human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group(P＜0.000 1).(2)The immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results of uterine tissue showed that compared with the sham operation group,the expression levels of cell proliferation related indicators such as keratin 9 and vimentin,endometrial receptivity related indicators such as leukemia inhibitory factor and integrin αyβ3,platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule,basic fibroblast growth factor,and vascular endothelial growth factor were all reduced in the model group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the above indicators were significantly increased after treatment with human umbilical cord blood derivatives.Comparison of human umbilical cord blood derivatives among groups showed that keratin 9 and vascular endothelial growth factor protein:human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group＞human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group＞human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group;Wave shaped protein and leukemia inhibitory factor protein:human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group＞human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group＞human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group;Integrin αyβ3 protein:human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group＞human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group＞human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group;Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule protein:human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group＞human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group＞human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group;Basic fibroblast growth factor protein:human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group＞human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group＞human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group.(3)Western blot analysis showed that compared with the sham operation group,the protein levels of interleukin-6,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the model group were significantly increased(all P＜0.001),and their expression levels decreased after treatment(all P＜0.05).(4)ELISA assay showed that compared with the sham operation group,the model group had lower levels of anti Mullerian hormone,estradiol,and progesterone,and increased levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone(except for luteinizing hormone,all P＜0.05).After treatment,there was a certain degree of recovery in the levels of sex hormones and anti Mullerian hormones.(5)Fertility experiments showed that compared with the sham operation group,the model group had an increase in conception time and a significant decrease in litter size(all P＜0.05).After treatment with human umbilical cord blood derivatives,the litter size of all three groups increased(P＜0.05),and no significant differences were found between the groups.This study preliminarily reveals that human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells have a certain therapeutic effect on thin endometrium,and human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells,and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells have different advantages and differences in improving endometrial regeneration function,endometrial receptivity,angiogenesis,inflammation regulation,and improving pregnancy outcomes in thin endometrium.

BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.

BACKGROUND:β-Caryophyllene has a variety of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic,which may have a better therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of β-caryophyllene on mouse osteoarthritis.METHODS:Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group,model group,low-dose β-caryophyllene group and high-dose β-caryophyllene group,with 10 mice in each group.Hulth method was used to construct an osteoarthritis model in the latter three groups.Four weeks after modeling,70 and 140 mg/kg/d β-caryophyllene was intragastrically given in the low-and high-dose β-caryophyllene groups,respectively,and normal saline was given by gavage in the sham group and the model group,once a day,for 4 weeks.After administration,knee joint morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,serum levels of inflammatory factors(tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and interleukin-10)were detected by ELISA,and oxidative stress indexes(glutathione peroxidase,superoxide dismutase,and malondialdehyde)were detected by chemiluminescence.The expression levels of key proteins in the Sonic hedgehog(Shh)/glioma associated oncogene homolog 1(Gli1)signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham group,a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the knee joint of mice in the model group,cartilage tissue was seriously damaged,serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,interleukin-10 and malondialdehyde were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the relative expression levels of Shh and Gli1 in the knee joint were significantly increased(P＜0.01).(2)Compared with the model group,in the low-and high-dose β-caryophyllene groups,inflammatory cell infiltration in the mouse knee joint was decreased,cartilage tissue injury was alleviated,serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1 β,interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the expression levels of Shh and Gli1 in the knee joint were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The above-mentioned improvements were more significant in the high-dose β-caryophyllene group than the low-dose β-caryophyllene group.To conclude,β-caryophyllene can improve osteoarthritis,and its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress damage by regulating the Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Several observational studies have found a strong association between thyroid function and its related disorders and osteoporosis,but the causal relationship is unclear.OBJECTIVE:To ascertain the causal relationship between genetically predicted thyroid function and its associated disorders,as well as osteoporosis,through the Mendelian randomization analysis with extensive pooled genetic data.METHODS:Pooled data from genome-wide association studies were employed to investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function and its associated disorders and osteoporosis.This was achieved through the utilization of the inverse variance weighting method as the primary Mendelian randomization analysis method,in conjunction with the MR-Egger method,weighted median method,simple model method,and weighted model method.A two-step mediated Mendelian randomization analysis was used to calculate the mediating effect of drug-mediated thyroid dysfunction on osteoporosis and the mediating proportion.Subsequently,sensitivity analyses were conducted using the MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO to detect multiplicity,Cochran's Q test to detect heterogeneity,and leave-one-out to perform sensitivity analyses.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of the inverse variance weighting method showed that thyroid function had an effect on bone mineral density,and that thyrotropin,free triiodothyronine on bone mineral density,free thyroxine,and subclinical hyperthyroidism all had a causal effect on bone mineral density.(2)In addition,mediation analyses revealed a potential mediating effect of carbimazole in the causal relationship between hyperthyroidism and the risk of developing osteoporosis,as well as a potential mediating effect of levothyroxine sodium in the causal relationship between hypothyroidism and the risk of developing osteoporosis.(3)In conclusion,thyrotropin,which is high in the normal range,has been demonstrated to increase bone mineral density.Conversely,free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine,which are also high within the normal range,as well as subclinical hyperthyroidism,have been shown to decrease bone mineral density.The risk of developing osteoporosis is partially mediated by the pathway of taking the therapeutic medication in the context of pharmacologic treatment of thyroid dysfunction.(4)The present study primarily focuses on European population data.However,given the commonality of the genetic background and the generalizability of genome-wide data analysis methods,it is of significant importance to explore the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the Chinese population,develop effective interventions,and provide genetic counseling.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that lipid metabolism and related diseases can affect the development of osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:Using bibliometric visualization analysis software to analyze and summarize the frontier content and research hotspots in the field of lipid metabolism affecting osteoporosis.METHODS:Using the Web of Science core collection database as the retrieval platform,relevant literature regarding the effect of lipid metabolism on osteoporosis from 2004 to 2024 was retrieved.VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used for bibliometric and visual analyses.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 1 277 articles were included,and the number of articles on the effect of lipid metabolism on osteoporosis at home and abroad was increasing year by year.The number of articles published in China was 417,ranking first,and the United States was 243,ranking second.Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranked first with 30 articles.Professor Rosen Clifford J from Tufts University School of Medicine and Professor Recker Robert R from Clayton University were the most cited authors.The number of documents published in BONE in the Netherlands ranked first,and the JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM in England was the most cited journal.Bone mineral density,bone metabolism,menopause,and obesity were the core keywords,and they were also research hotspots in this field.The above results show that in the past 20 years,research in the field of lipid metabolism affecting osteoporosis has focused on the role of abnormal lipid metabolism in bone mineral density and bone metabolism,thereby regulating osteoporosis and post-menopause osteoporosis.Clarifying the pathway of this mechanism and"bone-lipid balance"is the future research idea and direction.

Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding developed a strategy for platelet and plasma infusion management in critically ill children based on systematic reviews and consensus meetings of international multidisciplinary experts. One good practice statement and six expert consensus statements were proposed for plasma and platelet transfusions in critically ill children following severe trauma, traumatic brain injury, and/or intracranial hemorrhage. This article introduces the specific methods and basis for the formation of recommendations in this part of the guide.

Compared with traditional therapies for chronic liver disease （CLD）， Bifidobacterium has the characteristics of multi-target intervention， high biosafety， and good host compatibility and provides new strategies for intervention of CLD progression in terms of microecological regulation. Various studies have shown that Bifidobacterium regulates liver homeostasis and exerts a therapeutic effect on CLD by regulating intestinal flora， maintaining antioxidation， promoting energy consumption， alleviating inflammation， improving glycolipid metabolism， and exerting an antitumor effect. This article systematically reviews the studies on Bifidobacterium in the treatment of CLD in China and globally， explores their different mechanisms， and elaborates on the interaction between related signaling pathways （such as the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway and the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway） and the liver， in order to provide a basis for probiotic intervention in liver pathology， as well as new ideas for the comprehensive treatment of CLD.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism by which Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula improves metabolism-neuroplasticity and treats unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction by regulating the metabolic balance of glutamate （Glu）/γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）. Methods48 Sprague-Dawley （SD） adult rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group， model group， Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula groups with low， medium， and high doses （9.20， 18.39， 36.78 g·kg^-1）， and betahistine group （1.62 mg·kg^-1）. A unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction （vestibular dysfunction） model was established by intratympanic injection of chloroform into the right ear， while the control group received intratympanic injection of normal saline. Drugs were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. During the period， behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the behaviors of rats after unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal morphology in the medial vestibular nucleus. Golgi staining was employed to assess the number of dendritic spines of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-ESI-MS/MS） was utilized to detect Glu/GABA. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of neuronal nuclei （NeuN）， growth-associated protein 43 （GAP-43）， and glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were applied to determine the expressions of glutamate-immunoreactive （Glu-IR）， GABA， GFAP， postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， and GAP-43. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group presented with head deviation， balance disorder， increased tail suspension score， nuclear consolidation of medial vestibular nerve neurons， and decreased Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines in neurons and NeuN-positive cells decreased. The content of Glu decreased. The content of GABA increased （Glu/GABA decreased）. The expression of GAP-43 was down-regulated， and GFAP was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PSD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA decreased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the head deviation， imbalanced behavior， and tail suspension scores in each treatment group decreased， with alleviated neuronal injury and recovered Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines of neurons increased， and the number of NeuN-positive cells rebounded. The content of Glu increased， and the content of GABA decreased （Glu/GABA increased）. GFAP was down-regulated， and GAP-43 was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PMD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA increased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA decreased. The effect was more significant in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula can alleviate vestibular dysfunction， and its mechanism may be associated with regulating the metabolic balance of Glu/GABA， mitigating neural damage， improving synaptic plasticity （promoting GAP-43 expression and inhibiting GFAP expression）， and facilitating vestibular compensation.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy （DPN） is one of the most common and harmful complications of type 2 diabetes. DPN's pathogenesis include high blood sugar-induced oxidative stress， inflammation， and mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors are combined to damage nerve fibers， leading to sensory issues， pain， and numbness. Through a coordinated effect， these factors trigger nerve fiber damage and lead to sensory abnormalities， pain and numbness in limbs， and other symptoms， seriously restricting patients' activities of daily living and mobility. Recent research highlights that cellular senescence plays a critical role in DPN. Cellular senescence is manifested by the loss of cell proliferation ability， and further aggravates nerve damage via oxidative stress， mitochondrial dysfunction， autophagy impairment， inflammatory reaction， and other mechanisms， accelerating DPN occurrence and progression. In terms of medical treatment， current methods focus on blood sugar control， pain relief medicine， and microcirculation improvement， while no therapy has been developed based on cellular senescence. In contrast， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） shows a unique advantage in DPN prevention and treatment via cellular senescence modulation. TCM emphasizes a holistic approach， as well as syndrome differentiation and treatment， effective in anti-aging and nerve damage repair. Recent studies show that TCM active ingredients， including puerarin， ginsenosides， and berberine， can reduce inflammation， oxidative stress， and apoptosis via signaling pathway regulation， thereby slowing cellular senescence to alleviate nerve damage. Furthermore， TCM compounds such as Buyang Huanwutang， Taohong Siwutang， and Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang exert synergistic effects on cellular senescence-related pathways to improve nerve health and reduce DPN clinical symptoms. Therefore， this paper reviews the literature related to the interaction between cellular senescence and DPN from the perspective of cellular senescence， summarizing the mechanism of DPN and TCM intervention strategies.