Obesity is a worldwide health problem. An imbalance in energy metabolism is an important cause of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Our previous studies showed that inhibition of miR-429 increased the protein level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in beige adipocytes; however, whether local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous adipose tissue affects diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous adipose tissue on obesity and related metabolic disorders. The control adeno-associated virus (AAV) or AAV expressing the miR-429 sponge was injected into mouse inguinal white adipose tissue. Seven days later, the mice were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to induce obesity. The effects of the miR-429 sponge on body weight, adipose tissue weight, plasma glucose and lipid levels, and hepatic lipid content were explored. The results showed that the overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous white adipose tissue reduced body weight and fat mass, decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma cholesterol levels, improved glucose tolerance, and alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in mice. Mechanistic investigation showed that the inhibition of miR-429 significantly upregulated the expression of UCP1 in adipocytes and adipose tissue. These results suggest that local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous white adipose tissue ameliorates obesity and related metabolic disorders potentially by upregulating UCP1, and miR-429 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/physiology* ; Obesity/metabolism* ; Mice ; Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Subcutaneous Fat/metabolism* ; Male ; Uncoupling Protein 1/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

This study explores the basic characteristics and potential functions of the terpene synthase(TPS) gene family members in Lonicera japonica. The L. japonica TPS(LjTPS) gene family was identified and functionally analyzed using bioinformatics methods. The results showed that a total of 70 members of the LjTPS gene family were identified in L. japonica, with protein lengths ranging from 130 to 1 437 amino acids. Most of these proteins were hydrophilic, and they were unevenly distributed across nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the LjTPS gene family members were divided into six subfamilies, mainly consisting of members from the TPS-a, TPS-b, and TPS-e subfamilies. Promoter cis-acting element analysis showed that LjTPS members contained a large number of stress-responsive cis-acting elements. Aphid inoculation experiments showed that key enzyme genes in the MVA pathway for terpenoid backbone synthesis in L. japonica, such as HMGS, HMGR, MK, MPD, and the key enzyme gene in the DXP pathway, DXS, exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease under aphid stress. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of the α-farnesene synthase genes LjTPS34 and LjTPS39 were down-regulated, while the expression levels of(E)-β-caryophyllene synthase genes LjTPS15 and LjTPS17 were up-regulated 12 h before aphid feeding, then began to decline. Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase(FPS), which interacted with these genes, also displayed a pattern of increasing followed by decreasing expression. The expression of linalool synthase genes LjTPS12 and LjTPS33 was significantly up-regulated after 72 h of aphid feeding(P<0.000 1), reaching 24.39 and 22.64 times the initial expression, respectively. This pattern was in close alignment with the trend of linalool content in L. japonica. This study provides a theoretical foundation for future research on the interaction between L. japonica and pests, as well as on the functional roles of the LjTPS gene family.
Animals ; Aphids/physiology* ; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/chemistry* ; Lonicera/parasitology* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Multigene Family ; Terpenes/metabolism*

This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss. METHODS: This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA⁺ and K⁺ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca²⁺ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group. CONCLUSIONS Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals ; Perfusion/methods* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Brain Injuries/etiology* ; Swine ; Male ; Hypothermia, Induced/methods*

Objective： To investigate the effects of 3D laparoscopic radical resection prostatectomy(LRP) on urinary control and sexual function of patients with prostatic cancer. Methods： A total of 268 patients who were treated with LRP in the Fifth People's Hospital of Huai'an City from January 2019 to May 2022 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to surgical methods, with 134 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with traditional LRP, and the 3D LRP was used in the observation group. The clinical effects of the two groups were compared. Results： The patients in observation group had less blood loss (［135.62±13.58］ mL vs ［143.18±14.89］ mL) and shorter indwelling catheter time (［8.26±1.47］ d vs ［9.78±1.73］ d) compared with control group, but the operation time (［160.52±10.78］ min vs ［154.47±10.41］ min) was longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). The recovery of sexual function and urinary control in the observation group was better than that in the control group after 3, 6 and 12 months of the surgery(P<0.05). After one month of surgery, the scores of ICIQ-SF and 1h urine pad test were lower than those of the control group. The EPIC-UIN score（［72.63±6.85］ points vs ［67.15±5.09］ points）of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The patients in the observation group had lower level of residual urine volume（［60.26±6.63］mL vs ［76.89±7.89］mL）, higher maximum urine flow rate（［7.52±0.46］mL/s vs ［6.17±0.43］mL/s） and detrusor pressure（［85.19±7.18］mL vs ［76.29±6.85］mL） at maximum urine flow rate compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of complications between the observation group and the control group (5.97% vs8.27%，P>0.05). The recurrence rate of tumor 3 years after operation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (11.94% vs 29.10%, χ2=12.102, P<0.05). Conclusion： 3D LRP has obvious advantages in surgical clarity and precision, which reduces the risk of postoperative complications and improves urinary control ability and sexual function of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatectomy/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Urination ; Middle Aged ; Aged

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

OBJECTIVE: Lipid oxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and may be contribute to the development of Ischemic stroke (IS). However, the lipid profiles associated with IS have been poorly studied. We conducted a pilot study to identify potential IS-related lipid molecules and pathways using lipidomic profiling. METHODS: Serum lipidomic profiling was performed using LC-MS in 20 patients with IS and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were simultaneously performed to identify the differential lipids. Multiple testing was controlled for using a false discovery rate (FDR) approach. Enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst software. RESULTS: Based on the 294 lipids assayed, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were used to distinguish patients with IS from healthy controls. Fifty-six differential lipids were identified with an FDR-adjusted P less than 0.05 and variable influences in projection (VIP) greater than 1.0. These lipids were significantly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism (FDR-adjusted P = 0.009, impact score = 0.216). CONCLUSIONS Serum lipid profiles differed significantly between patients with IS and healthy controls. Thus, glycerophospholipid metabolism may be involved in the development of IS. These results provide initial evidence that lipid molecules and their related metabolites may serve as new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for IS.
Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Lipidomics ; Male ; Female ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Ischemic Stroke/blood* ; Aged ; China ; Lipids/blood* ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the dynamic expression with the time change of N6-methyladenosine(m6A)methylation-related factors in the repair process of skeletal muscle injury and its mechanism in the inflammatory response of macrophage in the injure process.Methods In vivo mice models of BaCl2 injury in the gastrocnemius were established.Four mice per group in the control group and injury group.Gastrocnemius tissues were harvested at day 1,3,5,7,and 9 after injury for experiments.Primary gastrocnemius muscle tissue cells,muscle satellite cells,muscle cells,and cell line C2C12 cells were treated with dexamethasone(DEX,50 μmol/L)to mimic injury.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS,100 μg/L)induced RAW264.7 cell lines to mimic the inflammatory response after skeletal muscle injury,and STM2457(30 μmol/L)was added to inhibit the effect of methyltransferase 3(Mettl3)before LPS treatment.The expression of m6A methylation-related factors(Writers,Erasers,Readers)and inflammation factors were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting.Results The muscle fibers were dissolved and then gradually repaired with the extension of injury time,the number of monocytes/macrophages increased first and then decreased,and the Pax7 mRNA level increased first and then decreased with the change of injury time.Compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein levels of m6A methylation-related factors in gastrocnemius did not change significantly on the injury-1 day.However,they were significantly increased on the injury-3 days compared with the control group(P＜0.05),and then obviously decreased on the injury-5 days group compared with the injury-3 days group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,they were no significant differences on the injury-7 days group and-9 days group.In vitro DEX decreased the mRNA levels of m6A methyltransferase factors in primary muscle satellite cells and C2C12 cells and increased the mRNA expression level of methylation-recognition enzyme factors(P＜0.05).The mRNA levels of m6A methylation-related factors increased significantly in skeletal muscle tissue cells and myocytes after DEX treatment(P＜0.05).After LPS treatment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of m6A methylation-related factors and the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1β in macrophages increased significantly(P＜0.05),while the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA in macrophages decreased significantly when the Mettl3 was inhibited(P＜0.05).Conclusion m6A methylation-related factors primarily is activated in the damaged muscle cells and inflammation response of macrophages.Inhibition of m6A methyltransferase can reduce the inflammatory response of macrophages.

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is an endemic and degenerative osteoarthropathy that can cause damage to the endochondral ossification of the limbs during development. The etiology is still unclear. In recent years, scholars at home and abroad have studied the mechanism of T-2 toxin and its metabolites causing KBD cartilage damage from the perspectives of immunotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, cell apoptosis, etc., mainly including transforming growth factor-β receptor (TGF-βRs) signaling pathway, immune regulatory factor, inflammatory factor IL-1β and apoptosis enzyme activating factor 1 (APAF1), which promote the progression of KBD by inducing human chondrocyte injury, inhibiting matrix synthesis and accelerating cellular catabolism. This article reviews the research progress on the immunotoxicity of T-2 toxin and its toxic effects on KBD cartilage injury at the molecular level, in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of KBD.