1.Perioperative immune dynamics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery
Zhiyuan CHENG ; Xinyi LIAO ; Juan WU ; Ping YANG ; Tingting WANG ; Qinjuan WU ; Wentong MENG ; Zongcheng TANG ; Jiayi SUN ; Jia TAN ; Jing LIN ; Dan LUO ; Hao WANG ; Chaonan LIU ; Jiyue XIONG ; Liqin LING ; Jing ZHOU ; Lei DU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):31-43
Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10
/L vs preoperative 3.07×10
/L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10
/L vs preoperative 3.05×10
/L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10
/L vs preoperative 2.99×10
/L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.
2.Role and mechanism of mitochondrial calcium uniporter in the cytoskeleton of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells in a mouse model of acute pancreatitis
Qiaofeng CHEN ; Qingzi FU ; Huiying YANG ; Junbo HONG ; Liang ZHU ; Zhenzhen YANG ; Guodu TANG ; Shiyu ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):400-408
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) on the cytoskeleton of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells in a mouse model of acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by caerulein (CAE), to analyze the role of MCU in the development of AP, and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment. MethodsIn the in vivo experiment, wild-type male C57BL6/J mice, aged 4 weeks, were randomly divided into control group and AP group, with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the AP group were given intraperitoneal injection of CAE to establish a model of AP, and those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of an equal volume of normal saline. Serum and pancreatic tissue samples were collected after 24 hours of modeling. HE staining was used to observe pancreatic histopathological changes; Western Blot was used to measure the expression levels of MCU, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ASCL4); kits were used to measure the serum level of amylase. In the in vitro experiment, the human pancreatic ductal epithelial cell line HPDE6-C7 was co-cultured with CAE for 24 hours to establish an in vitro AP model, and the cells were divided into control group, CAE group, RR (an MCU activity inhibitor) group, CAE+RR group, Fer-1 (an ferroptosis inhibitor) group, CAE+Fer-1 group, Erastin (an ferroptosis inducer) group, and CAE+Erastin group. CCK-8 assay was used to observe the influence of different agents on cell viability; Western Blot was used to measure the expression levels of MCU, GPX4, and ASCL4; immunofluorescence assay was used to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS), actin cytoskeleton, and monolayer permeability; kits were used to measure the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), Fe2+, and total iron. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the in vivo experiment, compared with the control group, the AP group had significant increases in pancreatic histopathological score, the serum level of amylase, and the expression levels of MCU and ASCL4, as well as a significant reduction in the expression of GPX4 (all P<0.05). In the in vitro experiment, compared with the control group, the CAE group had significant increases in the expression levels of MCU and ASCL4, a significant reduction in the expression of GPX4, and significant increases in the concentrations of Fe2+, total iron, and MDA, the green fluorescence intensity of ROS, and monolayer permeability, as well as a significant reduction in the concentration of GSH (all P<0.05), with the presence of actin cytoskeleton disruption. Compared with the CAE group, the CAE+RR group had a significant increase in the expression level of GPX4, a significant reduction in the expression level of ASCL4, and significant reductions in the concentrations of Fe2+, total iron, and MDA, the green fluorescence intensity of ROS, and monolayer permeability and a significant increase in the concentration of GSH (all P<0.05), with alleviation of actin cytoskeleton disruption. Compared with the CAE group, the CAE+Fer-1 group had significant reductions in the concentrations of Fe2+, total iron, and MDA, the green fluorescence intensity of ROS, and monolayer permeability and a significant increase in the concentration of GSH (all P<0.05), with alleviation of actin cytoskeleton disruption. Compared with the CAE group, the CAE+Erastin group had significant increases in the concentrations of Fe2+, total iron, and MDA, the green fluorescence intensity of ROS, and monolayer permeability and a significant reduction in the concentration of GSH (all P<0.05), with aggravation of actin cytoskeleton disruption. ConclusionDuring the onset of AP, MCU mediates oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis and leads to the disruption of the pancreatic ductal epithelial barrier, which may be one of the possible pathogeneses of AP.
3.ZHAO Hong's experience in treatment of gynecological diseases based on spleen-stomach theories.
Han TANG ; Hong ZHAO ; Yunhong YANG ; Hongjun KUANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1633-1638
The paper introduces Professor ZHAO Hong's clinical experience and the thinking of diagnosis and treatment for gynecological diseases based on spleen-stomach theories of TCM and explore the effects of the dysfunction of spleen and stomach on gynecological diseases. In clinical practice, Professor ZHAO proposes the "theory" for protecting the spleen and stomach, and in consideration of the other organs; focuses on the "principle" for strengthening the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, promoting qi circulation, removing stagnation and mutually-regulating the body, qi and mind; and adopts the "methods" of integrating acupuncture with medication and specially uses the warming and resolving techniques. She attaches importance to "acupoints" on the detection, and the selection of fewer but more effective ones; and delivers the "needling techniques" for releasing the stagnation and obstruction and inducing muscle jumping and sensation transmission. Professor ZHAO Hong integrates acupuncture with medication in views of spleen and stomach theories of TCM for ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, thin endometrium and dysfunctional uterine bleeding, which provides the references for the treatment of gynecological diseases.
Humans
;
Female
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Spleen/physiopathology*
;
Genital Diseases, Female/physiopathology*
;
Stomach/physiopathology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Acupuncture Points
4.POU2F1 inhibits miR-29b1/a cluster-mediated suppression of PIK3R1 and PIK3R3 expression to regulate gastric cancer cell invasion and migration.
Yizhi XIAO ; Ping YANG ; Wushuang XIAO ; Zhen YU ; Jiaying LI ; Xiaofeng LI ; Jianjiao LIN ; Jieming ZHANG ; Miaomiao PEI ; Linjie HONG ; Juanying YANG ; Zhizhao LIN ; Ping JIANG ; Li XIANG ; Guoxin LI ; Xinbo AI ; Weiyu DAI ; Weimei TANG ; Jide WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):838-850
BACKGROUND:
The transcription factor POU2F1 regulates the expression levels of microRNAs in neoplasia. However, the miR-29b1/a cluster modulated by POU2F1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown.
METHODS:
Gene expression in GC cells was evaluated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RNA in situ hybridization. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to evaluate protein interactions. Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the biological behavior of GC cells. MiR-29b1/a cluster promoter analysis and luciferase activity assay for the 3'-UTR study were performed in GC cells. In vivo tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice.
RESULTS:
POU2F1 is overexpressed in GC cell lines and binds to the miR-29b1/a cluster promoter. POU2F1 is upregulated, whereas mature miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p are downregulated in GC tissues. POU2F1 promotes GC metastasis by inhibiting miR-29b-3p or miR-29a-3p expression in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, PIK3R1 and/or PIK3R3 are direct targets of miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p , and the ectopic expression of PIK3R1 or PIK3R3 reverses the suppressive effect of mature miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p on GC cell metastasis and invasion. Additionally, the interaction of PIK3R1 with PIK3R3 promotes migration and invasion, and miR-29b-3p , miR-29a-3p , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 regulate migration and invasion via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway in GC cells. In addition, POU2F1 , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 expression levels negatively correlated with miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p expression levels in GC tissue samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The POU2F1 - miR-29b-3p / miR-29a-3p-PIK3R1 / PIK3R1 signaling axis regulates tumor progression and may be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Movement/physiology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Octamer Transcription Factor-1/metabolism*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics*
;
Male
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Female
5.Antidepressant mechanism of Baihe Dihuang Decoction based on metabolomics and network pharmacology.
Chao HU ; Hui YANG ; Hong-Qing ZHAO ; Si-Qi HUANG ; Hong-Yu LIU ; Shui-Han ZHANG ; Lin TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):10-20
The Baihe Dihuang Decoction(BDD) is a representative traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been used to treat depression. This study employed metabolomics and network pharmacology to investigate the mechanism of BDD in the treatment of depression. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly assigned to the normal control group, model group, fluoxetine group, and high-and low-dose BDD groups. A rat model of depression was established through chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS), and the behavioral changes were detected by forced swimming test and open field test. Metabolomics technology was used to analyze the metabolic profiles of serum and hippocampal tissue to screen differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to investigate the key targets and core active ingredients of BDD in improving metabolic abnormalities of depression. A "component-target-metabolite-pathway" regulatory network was constructed. BDD could significantly improve depressive-like behavior in CUMS rats and regulate 12 differential metabolites in serum and 27 differential metabolites in the hippocampus, involving tryptophan metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and purine metabolism. Verbascoside, isorbascoside, and regaloside B were the key active ingredients for improving metabolic abnormalities in depression. Epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), protooncogene tyrosine-protein kinase(SRC), glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β), and androgen receptor(AR) were the key core targets for improving metabolic abnormalities of depression. This study offered a preliminary insight into the mechanism of BDD in alleviating metabolic abnormalities of depression through network regulation, providing valuable guidance for its clinical use and subsequent research.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Metabolomics
;
Depression/genetics*
;
Antidepressive Agents/chemistry*
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Hippocampus/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Disease Models, Animal
6.Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma protects brain microvascular endothelial cells from ischemia and hypoxia injury by regulating PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway.
Li TANG ; Qiu-Yue YANG ; Hong-Fa CHENG ; Ya-Hui XIE ; Qiu-Xia ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3127-3136
This study elucidates the mechanism of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma(RCRR) in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD) injury and reveals the modern pharmacological mechanism of RCRR's traditional use in nourishing Qi and promoting blood circulation to protect endothelial cells. The scratch assay was employed to assess the migratory capacity of endothelial cells. Immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques were employed to assess the protein expression of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), occludin, claudin-5, and proteins of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta(GSK3β) pathway. The results demonstrated that 63 bioactive components and 125 potential core targets of RCRR were identified from the ETCM, TCMBank, and SwissTargetPrediction databases, as well as from the literature. A total of 1 708 brain microvascular endothelial cell-related targets were identified from the GeneCards and OMIM databases, and 52 targets were obtained by intersecting drug components with cell targets. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis revealed that AKT1, epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), estrogen receptor 1(ESR1), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase(SRC), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG), GSK3β, and matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2) were considered hub genes. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified the PI3K/AKT pathway as the primary signaling pathway. Cell experiments demonstrated that RCRR-containing serum could enhance the migratory capacity of brain microvascular endothelial cells and the expression of tight junction proteins following OGD injury, which may be associated with the downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway. This study elucidates the pharmacological mechanism of RCRR in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells through network pharmacology, characterized by multiple components and targets. These findings were validated through in vitro experiments and provide important ideas and references for further research into the molecular mechanisms of RCRR in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells.
Endothelial Cells/cytology*
;
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Rhizome/chemistry*
;
Microvessels/metabolism*
;
Brain Ischemia/drug therapy*
7.Mechanism of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula in regulating synaptic damage in nucleus accumbens neurons of rats with insomnia complicated with depression through TREM2/C1q axis.
Ying-Juan TANG ; Jia-Cheng DAI ; Song YANG ; Xiao-Shi YU ; Yao ZHANG ; Hai-Long SU ; Zhi-Yuan LIU ; Zi-Xuan XIANG ; Jun-Cheng LIU ; Hai-Xia HE ; Jian LIU ; Yuan-Shan HAN ; Yu-Hong WANG ; Man-Shu ZOU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4538-4545
This study aims to investigate the effect of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula on the neuroinflammation of rats with insomnia complicated with depression through the regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2)/complement protein C1q signaling pathway. Rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a positive drug group, as well as a high, medium, and low-dose groups of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were injected with p-chlorophenylalanine and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress to establish the rat model of insomnia complicated with depression. The sucrose preference experiment, open field experiment, and water maze test were performed to evaluate the depression in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the damage in nucleus accumbens neurons. Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect TREM2, C1q, postsynaptic density 95(PSD-95), and synaptophysin 1(SYN1) expressions in rat nucleus accumbens, respectively. Golgi-Cox staining was utilized to observe the synaptic spine density of nucleus accumbens neurons. The results show that, compared with the model group, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can significantly increase the sucrose preference as well as the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming test and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant test. The serum 5-HT, DA, and NE contents in the model group are significantly lower than those in the normal group, with the above contents significantly increased after the intervention of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In addition, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can alleviate pathological damages such as swelling and loose arrangement of tissue cells in the nucleus accumbens, while increasing the Nissl body numbers. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can improve synaptic damage in the nucleus accumbens and increase the synaptic spine density. Compared to the normal group, the expression of C1q protein was significantly higher in the model group, while the expression of TREM2 protein was significantly lower. Compared to the model group, the intervention with Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula significantly downregulated the expression of C1q protein and significantly upregulated the expression of TREM2. Compared with the model group, the PSD-95 and SYN1 fluorescence intensity is significantly increased in the groups receiving different doses of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In summary, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can reduce the C1q protein expression, relieve the TREM2 inhibition, and promote the synapse-related proteins PSD-95 and SNY1 expression. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula improves synaptic injury of the nucleus accumbens neurons, thereby treating insomnia complicated with depression.
Animals
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Depression/complications*
;
Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/complications*
;
Neurons/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Immunologic/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Synapses/metabolism*
8.Early clinical outcomes of 3D-printed individualised customised prostheses in hip revision combined severe bone defect.
Hong-Ping WANG ; Ming-You WANG ; Xiao-Qin YANG ; Zhuo-Dong TANG ; Xun-Zhou SONG ; Yu-Ping LAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):163-169
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the early clinical outcomes of 3D printed individualised customised prostheses for in hip revision in patients with combined severe bone defects.
METHODS:
Twenty-two patients from January 2021 to May 2023 underwent hip revision using 3D printed personalised customised prostheses were retrospective analyzed, including 10 males and 12 females, age 28 to 78 with a mean of (58.9±12.8) years old. All of patients were combined with severe bone defects (Parprosky type Ⅲ). Among of them, 9 patients had periprosthetic infections and 13 patients had aseptic prosthesis loosening. All patients were treated with a 3D printed personalised prosthesis protocol, patients with the periprosthetic infection received a second stage revision after infection control. The operation time, preoperative waiting time, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded, and the clinical efficacy were evaluated at the final follow-up using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Harris hip score.
RESULTS:
One patient was lost to follow-up and the remaining 21 patients were followed up for 10 to 15 with a mean of (12.91±1.44) months after surgery. All patients completed surgery as planned, with an operative time of 135 to 390 with a mean of (165.4±39.3) minutes and a preoperative waiting time of 7 to 16 with a mean of (10.5±3.3) days. Regarding patient complications:one patient had a severe intraoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture due to the combination of severe osteoporosis; one patient had an intraoperative greater trochanteric femur fracture. At the latest follow-up, all patients had good position of the custom-made prosthesis and no loosening of the prosthesis;all patients had good wound healing and no local redness or swelling. The total Harris score at the final follow-up (85.86±7.04) was significantly improved compared to the preoperative (44.86±2.36), P<0.001. The VAS at the last follow-up (2.19±0.87) was significantly improved compared with preoperative (7.41±0.96), P<0.001.
CONCLUSION
The clinical efficacy of 3D-printed personalised customised prosthesis in combined severe bone defect hip revision is satisfactory, but due to the increased preoperative waiting time of the patients and certain risks, certain indications should be mastered when applying in the clinic.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Hip Prosthesis
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
;
Reoperation
;
Prosthesis Design
;
Treatment Outcome
9.Microdissection testicular sperm extraction for men with nonobstructive azoospermia who have a testicular tumor in situ at the time of sperm retrieval.
Hao-Cheng LIN ; Wen-Hao TANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yang-Yi FANG ; Kai HONG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(3):423-427
Oncological microdissection testicular sperm extraction (onco-micro-TESE) represents a significant breakthrough for patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and a concomitant in situ testicular tumor, to be managed at the time of sperm retrieval. Onco-micro-TESE addresses the dual objectives of treating both infertility and the testicular tumor simultaneously. The technique is intricate, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of testicular anatomy, physiology, tumor biology, and advanced microsurgical methods. It aims to carefully extract viable spermatozoa while minimizing the risk of tumor dissemination. This review encapsulates the procedural intricacies, evaluates success determinants, including tumor pathology and spermatogenic tissue health, and discusses the implementation of imaging techniques for enhanced surgical precision. Ethical considerations are paramount, as the procedure implicates complex decision-making that weighs the potential oncological risks against the profound desire for fatherhood using the male gametes. The review aims to provide a holistic overview of onco-micro-TESE, detailing methodological advances, clinical outcomes, and the ethical landscape, thus offering an indispensable resource for clinicians navigating this multifaceted clinical scenario.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/therapy*
;
Testicular Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Sperm Retrieval
;
Microdissection/methods*
;
Testis/surgery*
10.Surgical approaches to varicocele: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Lin-Jie LU ; Kai XIONG ; Sheng-Lan YUAN ; Bang-Wei CHE ; Jian-Cheng ZHAI ; Chuan-Chuan WU ; Yang ZHANG ; Hong-Yan ZHANG ; Kai-Fa TANG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(6):728-737
Surgical methods for varicocele remain controversial. This study intends to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different surgical approaches for treating varicocele through a network meta-analysis (NMA). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were thoroughly searched. In total, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 24 cohort studies were included, covering 9 different surgical methods. Pairwise meta-analysis and NMA were performed by means of random-effects models, and interventions were ranked based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). According to the SUCRA, microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV; 91.6%), microsurgical retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (MRV; 78.2%), and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy (MIV; 76.7%) demonstrated the highest effectiveness in reducing postoperative recurrence rates. In this study, sclerotherapy embolization (SE; 87.2%), MSV (77.9%), and MIV (67.7%) showed the best results in lowering the risk of hydrocele occurrence. MIV (82.9%), MSV (75.9%), and coil embolization (CE; 58.7%) were notably effective in increasing sperm motility. Moreover, CE (76.7%), subinguinal approach varicocelectomy (SV; 69.2%), and SE (55.7%) were the most effective in increasing sperm count. SE (82.5%), transabdominal laparoscopic varicocelectomy (TLV; 76.5%), and MRV (52.7%) were superior in shortening the length of hospital stay. The incidence rates of adverse events for MRV (0), SE (3.3%), and MIV (4.1%) were notably low. Cluster analyses indicated that MSV was the most effective in the treatment of varicocele. Based on the existing evidence, MSV may represent the optimal choice for varicocele surgery. However, selecting clinical surgical strategies requires consideration of various factors, including patient needs, surgeon experience, and the learning curve.
Humans
;
Male
;
Embolization, Therapeutic/methods*
;
Microsurgery/methods*
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Sclerotherapy/methods*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods*
;
Varicocele/surgery*

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