ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids （MA） in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by protein interaction analysis （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analyses were performed through Bioinformatics （DAVID） database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone （CORT） once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control （0.9% normal saline）， model （CORT， 20 mg·kg^-1）， positive control （fluoxetine hydrochloride， 3.6 mg·kg^-1）， and MA （10， 5， and 2.5 mg·kg^-1） groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and norepinephrine （NE） in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 （Cx43）. ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained， including 84 common targets， among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes， 15 cell components， and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group， CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the brain tissue （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein （CREB） and BDNF （P<0.05） and the protein levels of protein kinase （PRKACA）， phosphorylation （p）-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05） in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group， high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming （P<0.05） and tail suspension （P<0.01） tests， raised the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF （P<0.01） and protein levels of PRKACA， p-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05）. ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway， improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function， and reducing neuroinflammation.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids （MA） in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by protein interaction analysis （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analyses were performed through Bioinformatics （DAVID） database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone （CORT） once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control （0.9% normal saline）， model （CORT， 20 mg·kg^-1）， positive control （fluoxetine hydrochloride， 3.6 mg·kg^-1）， and MA （10， 5， and 2.5 mg·kg^-1） groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and norepinephrine （NE） in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 （Cx43）. ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained， including 84 common targets， among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes， 15 cell components， and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group， CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the brain tissue （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein （CREB） and BDNF （P<0.05） and the protein levels of protein kinase （PRKACA）， phosphorylation （p）-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05） in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group， high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming （P<0.05） and tail suspension （P<0.01） tests， raised the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF （P<0.01） and protein levels of PRKACA， p-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05）. ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway， improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function， and reducing neuroinflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Sturgeon cartilage has a wide range of applications as it is rich in biologically active substances such as chondroitin sulphate and protein. In this study, the safety evaluation of sturgeon cartilage peptide in NIH/3T3 and C2C12 cells was conducted, and the results showed that sturgeon cartilage peptide did not induce apoptosis and necrosis in NIH/3T3 and C2C12 cells compared to the blank control, which provides an in vitro experimental basis for the transdermal drug delivery of sturgeon cartilage peptide. Further evaluation of the scavenging activity of sturgeon cartilage peptides against the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals showed that sturgeon cartilage peptides have strong antioxidant activity. A stable sturgeon cartilage peptide ointment containing 7% sturgeon cartilage peptide was prepared and analysed for its transdermal absorption in mouse skin. This experiment was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: 00007684). It was found that the 12-hour cumulative release of sturgeon cartilage peptide ointment reached 92%. In this study, we further analyzed the ability of sturgeon cartilage peptide ointment to inhibit ear swelling in mice after xylene-induced inflammation. The sturgeon cartilage peptide ointment showed significant anti-inflammatory activity compared to the matrix group and the control group. In conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrated that sturgeon cartilage peptide has good safety and antioxidant activity, and the prepared sturgeon cartilage peptide ointment provides an experimental basis for further application of sturgeon cartilage peptide as well as the study of transdermal drug delivery.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with Perceval sutureless aortic bioprosthesis in upper ministernotomy or right anterior thoracotomy. Methods From March to November 2022, the patients with simple aortic valve disease were enrolled in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. After preoperative evaluation, Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis was successfully used to perform aortic valve replacement through the upper ministernotomy or right anterior thoracotomy. The perioperative clinical data and ultrasonic measurement data of all patients were recorded. Results A total of 5 patients with simple aortic valve disease were included, including 3 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 71.2 years. Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis was successfully implanted in 5 patients, with a success rate of 100%. There were 3 patients receiving upper ministernotomy and 2 patients receiving right anterior thoracotomy. Two patients underwent ascending aortic plasty at the same time. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 61.0 min, and aortic cross-clamping time was 32.2 min. All patients were discharged successfully without perivalvular leakage, atrioventricular block or stroke. Conclusion The implantation method of Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis is simple, which can effectively reduce the perioperative risk by shortening the overall operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time. At the same time, its clinical application has promoted the development and popularization of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, which together with Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis effectively combinates surgical effect and minimally invasive treatment, and has a good clinical application prospect because of its reliable safety and effectiveness.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two-stage retrograde hybrid repair for acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome. Methods From May 2019 to December 2022, the patients presented with acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome treated in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University were enrolled. After preoperative evaluation, all patients underwent priority emergency interventional surgery to improve distal malperfusion, and then underwent two-stage hybrid surgery to repair proximal aortic lesions. The perioperative clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Five patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female, with a median age of 58 years. The main manifestations were lower limb ischemia and renal insufficiency in 3 patients, and poor intestinal perfusion in 2 patients. All patients were given priority to interventional surgery to implant graft stents or bare stents and necessary branch artery intervention, and then successfully performed two-stage hybrid surgery, including type Ⅰhybrid surgery for 2 patients, type Ⅱ hybrid surgery for 1 patient and type Ⅲ hybrid surgery for the other 2 patients, with a success rate of 100.0%. All patients were discharged successfully, and the function of the organs with poor perfusion returned to normal. Only 1 patient recovered to grade 4 muscle strength of the diseased lower limbs upon discharge. No adverse events such as amputation, exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection or long-term hemodialysis occurred. Conclusion The application of two-stage retrograde hybrid repair in the surgical treatment of acute aortic dissection involving the aortic arch complicated with distal malperfusion syndrome is safe and effective, and is helpful to improve the perioperative survival rate, and clinical outcomes of such patients.

ObjectiveTo compare the effects and differences of Yiqi Liangxue Shengji Formula （益气凉血生肌方） and atorvastatin on the repair of vascular injury in rats from the perspective of metabolomics. MethodsTwenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-surgery， model， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， and ator-vastatin groups， with 6 rats in each group. The rat model was established by balloon-induced abdominal aorta injury. Gavage was started on the day after surgery in all groups of rats. The sham and model groups were given with deio-nized water， TCM group received Yiqi Liangxue Shengji Formula 6 g/（kg·d）， and the atorvastatin group treated with atorvastatin suspension 2 mg/（kg·d） for 4 weeks. HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the injured segment of the abdominal aorta； ELISA detection was used to test serum nitric oxide （NO） and C-reactive protein （CRP） levels； UPLC MS/MS technology was used for widely targeted metabolomics detection in serum， and multivariate statistical analysis was used to screen metabolic markers and pathways of two drugs； finally， compare serum levels of key metabolic markers of the above two medications in rats of each group. ResultsCompared with the sham-surgery group， the neointima significantly thickened， the level of NO decreased significantly and the level of CRP increased in serum of the model group （P＜0.01）； compared with the model group， the degree of arterial intimal hyperplasia in TCM group and atorvastatin group reduced， with an increase in NO levels and a decrease in CRP levels （P＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01）. The results of serum metabolomics showed that TCM group obtained 49 metabolic markers and 6 metabolic pathways， while atorvastatin group obtained 41 metabolic markers and 4 metabolic pathways. The two medications jointly regulated 38 metabolites. Glycerophospholipid metabolism and arginine-related metabolism were common metabolic pathways for both medications. Lysophosphatidylcholine （16∶1/0∶0） ［LPC （16∶1/ 0∶0）］， phosphatidylcholine （15∶0/15∶0） ［PC （15∶0/15∶0）］ were the key metabolites of glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway； ornithine， spermidine were the key metabolites of arginine-related metabolic pathway. The tricarboxylic acid cycle and glutathione metabolism were the unique metabolic pathways of Yiqi Liangxue Shengji Formula. Compared with the sham-surgery group， LPC （16∶1/0∶0）， ornithine， and spermidine levels elevated and PC （15∶0/15∶0） levels decreased in the model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， LPC （16∶1/0∶0）， ornithine， and spermidine levels decreased， and PC （15∶0/15∶0） levels increased in both TCM group and atorvastatin group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The degree of LPC reduction （16∶1/0∶0） was more significant in atorvastatin group compared with that in the TCM group （P＜0.01）. ConclusionsBoth sham-surgery and atorvastatin could regulate lipid metabolism and arginine-related metabolism， exert the characteristics of lipid-lowering， anti-inflammatory， improve arginine/NO bioavailability， and improve endothelial dysfunction. Atorvastatin showed more advantages in lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory， while Yiqi Liangxue Shengji Formula has unique characteristics in regulating energy metabolism and improving oxidative stress.

In addition to providing energy for cells, mitochondria also participate in calcium homeostasis, cell information transfer, cell apoptosis, cell growth and differentiation. Therefore, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis is very crucial for the body to carry out normal life activities. Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification of proteins, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes of cells by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the mechanism by which ubiquitination regulates mitochondrial homeostasis has not been summarized, especially the effect of Parkin protein on cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the specific mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis regulated by ubiquitination of Parkin protein is discussed, and the influence of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance on cardiovascular diseases is reviewed, with a view to providing potential therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.