AIM To investigate the effects of volatile oil from Acorus tatarinowii Schott(A.tatarinowii)on neuroinflammation in a rat model of tic disorders.METHODS The SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group(8 rats)and the model group(40 rats).The rat models of tic disorders established successfully by intraperitoneal injection of iminodiapropionitrile(IDPN)were further divided into the model group,the tiapride group and the high-dose,moderate-dose and low-dose A.tatarinowii volatile oil groups,with 8 rats in each group.The 4-week intragastric treatment of respective drug was initiated the next day after the completion of modeling,and normal saline was dosed upon the blank group and the model group,during which the rats' behavioral changes were assessed by stereotyped behavior and motor behavior score every week.After the administration,the rats had their morphological changes of striatal neurons observed by Nissl staining;their levels of TGF-β,IL-10,TNF-αand IL-1β in serum and striatum detected by ELISA;their striatal protein expressions of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry;and their striatal expressions of M1,M2 microglia marker proteins CD86,CD206,SYN and PSD-95 detected by immunofluorescence co-staining.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the A.tatarinowii volatile oil groups demonstrated improved twitch-like behavior;decreased scores of motor behavior and rigid behavior(P＜0.01);alleviated damage of Nissl bodies in neurons;increased serum and striatum levels of TGF-β and IL-10(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased levels of TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);decreased striatal protein expressions of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1(P＜0.01);increased protein expressions of PSD95 and SYN(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased CD86/Iba1(P＜0.01)and increased CD206/Iba1(P＜0.01)in terms of the fluorescence intensity.CONCLUSION A.tatarinowii volatile oil contributes an anti-tic effect and improves the neuroinflammation in the brain of the rat model of tic disorders by promoting the transformation of microglia into M2 type via CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signal axis.

Aim To investigate the intervention effect of Rehmannia radix water extract on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice combined with metabolomics and to reveal the potential mechanism,in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of pul-monary fibrosis.Methods Male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,pirfenidone group(positive control,PFD,270 mg·kg-1),and low dose(DH-L,4.55 g·kg-1)group,medium dose(DH-M,9.1 g·kg-1)group and high dose(DH-H,18.2 g·kg-1)group of Rehman-nia.Except for the control group,BLM(5 mg·kg-1)was instilled into the trachea to establish the model of pulmonary fibrosis in the other groups.The survival rate,lung index and blood oxygen saturation of mice in each group were evaluated.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue.WBP was used to detect lung function.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of primary lung cells,ROS and immune cells.ELISA was used to detect the levels of fibrosis markers and inflammatory factors(α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ,TGF-β1,TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6).Biochemical method was employed to detect the contents of GSH-Px,T-SOD and MDA.Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer(LC-MS)metabolomics was used to analyze the changes of serum metabolic profile.Results Water extract of Re-hmannia significantly increased the survival rate,oxy-gen saturation and lung function of mice with pulmona-ry fibrosis,reduced the lung coefficient,ameliorated pathological damage and collagen deposition in lung tissue,reduced the levels of apoptosis and oxidative stress,and down-regulated the levels of inflammatory factors in lung tissue.It regulated the levels of metabo-lites such as bile acid metabolism,sphingolipid metabo-lism,and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism.Conclu-sions Water extract of Rehmannia inhibits lung injury and collagen deposition in mice with pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting inflammatory response,which may be a-chieved by regulating the levels of inflammatory factors through the metabolic pathways of bile acid and sphin-golipid.

Objective:To evaluate the early outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and discuss the revisions post THA in the treatment for Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) with severe hip problems.Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled 50 patients (64 hips) with a mean age of 52.4±8.7 years, including 25 male patients and 25 female patients (36 left hips and 28 right hips), who were diagnosed as KBD with hip problems and received THA at Arthritis Clinical and Research Centre, Peking University People's Hospital from October 2019 to January 2024. The leg length discrepancy (LLD), femoral offset (FO), abduction angle and anteversion angle were calculated preoperatively and one week post-operation. The postoperative radiological indexes and the functional outcomes in the last follow-up were compared with the preoperative assessment.Results:The surgical duration was 105(80, 120) min and the bleeding amount was 300(200, 400) ml. All the cases were followed up for an average of 37 months (ranging from 21 to 44 months). Significant differences were found on postoperative radiological images, with LLD improving to 0.50±0.78 cm from a preoperative value of -1.36±0.79 cm, and FO increasing to 3.28±1.01 cm from 2.72±0.83 cm ( P<0.05). The mean postoperative abduction angle and anteversion angle were 42.5°±7.7° and 15.1°±5.9°, respectively. A total of 71.8% and 95.3% hips fell within the Lewinnek safe zones of abduction angle and anteversion angle, respectively. In terms of functional outcomes, the average range of motion improved significantly to 185°(173°, 210°) from a preoperative value of 99°(76°, 123°), and the Harris Hip Score increased from 35(26, 43) preoperatively to 70(63, 80) postoperatively ( P<0.05). During the follow-up, there were complications for two cases of femoral stem loosening, one case of periprosthetic femoral fracture, one case of hip dislocation, and one case of acetabular component loosening with hip subluxation. Additionally, seven patients exhibited Trendelenburg gait. A total of five hips required revision surgery due to severe complications, including two cases of femoral stem loosening, one case of periprosthetic femoral fracture, one case of hip dislocation, and one case of acetabular component loosening with subluxation. Conclusions:Patients with KBD demonstrated significant early improvements in both radiological and functional outcomes following THA.

AIM To investigate the effects of volatile oil from Acorus tatarinowii Schott(A.tatarinowii)on neuroinflammation in a rat model of tic disorders.METHODS The SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group(8 rats)and the model group(40 rats).The rat models of tic disorders established successfully by intraperitoneal injection of iminodiapropionitrile(IDPN)were further divided into the model group,the tiapride group and the high-dose,moderate-dose and low-dose A.tatarinowii volatile oil groups,with 8 rats in each group.The 4-week intragastric treatment of respective drug was initiated the next day after the completion of modeling,and normal saline was dosed upon the blank group and the model group,during which the rats' behavioral changes were assessed by stereotyped behavior and motor behavior score every week.After the administration,the rats had their morphological changes of striatal neurons observed by Nissl staining;their levels of TGF-β,IL-10,TNF-αand IL-1β in serum and striatum detected by ELISA;their striatal protein expressions of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry;and their striatal expressions of M1,M2 microglia marker proteins CD86,CD206,SYN and PSD-95 detected by immunofluorescence co-staining.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the A.tatarinowii volatile oil groups demonstrated improved twitch-like behavior;decreased scores of motor behavior and rigid behavior(P＜0.01);alleviated damage of Nissl bodies in neurons;increased serum and striatum levels of TGF-β and IL-10(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased levels of TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);decreased striatal protein expressions of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1(P＜0.01);increased protein expressions of PSD95 and SYN(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased CD86/Iba1(P＜0.01)and increased CD206/Iba1(P＜0.01)in terms of the fluorescence intensity.CONCLUSION A.tatarinowii volatile oil contributes an anti-tic effect and improves the neuroinflammation in the brain of the rat model of tic disorders by promoting the transformation of microglia into M2 type via CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signal axis.

Parkinson's disease(PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the accumulation of Lewy bodies. While conventional drugs like levodopa can improve early symptoms, their efficacy diminishes over time, and they may cause severe side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its multi-target therapeutic approach, has shown unique advantages in PD treatment, particularly in slowing disease progression and improving clinical symptoms. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) signaling pathway plays a critical role in cellular antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and cellular repair mechanisms, which are crucial for neuroprotection against PD. Studies indicate that TCM regulates the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to enhance neuronal antioxidative capacity, inhibit neuroinflammation, promote dopaminergic neuron repair and survival, and slow pathological progression. This review explores the neuroprotective role of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in PD patients, including alleviating oxidative stress, suppressing neuroinflammation, promoting neuronal repair, and regulating iron metabolism and autophagy. It also discusses the mechanisms by which TCM active ingredients(flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, polyphenols, etc.), single herbs(Cistanche deserticola, Uraria crinite, and Melissa officinalis, etc.), and formulas(Bushen Jianpi Decoction, Didang Decoction, and Gancao Yangyin Decoction, etc.) modulate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in PD treatment, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application and new drug development of TCM in PD prevention and treatment.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/genetics* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Allergic rhinitis (AR), a globally prevalent immune-mediated inflammatory condition, is still an incurable disease. In the present study, we have validated the impact of the Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1)-related oxidative stress and inflammatory response in clinical AR patient peripheral blood and nasal swab samples, emphasizing the biological relevance of Keap1 and AR. Targeting Keap1 -nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) related anti-oxidative stress may be effective for AR intervention. Drawing inspiration from the Keap1 homodimerization and the E3 ligase characteristics, we herein present a design of novel bivalent molecules for chemical knockdown of Keap1. For the first time, we characterized ternary complexes of Keap1 dimer and one molecule of bivalent compounds. The best bivalent molecule 8 encompasses robust capacity to degrade Keap1 as a homoPROTAC^KEAP1. It efficaciously suppresses inflammatory cytokines in extensively different cells, including human nasal epithelial cells. Moreover, in an AR mouse model, we confirmed that the chemical degradation induced by homoPROTAC^KEAP1 led to therapeutic benefits in managing AR symptoms, oxidative stress and inflammation. In summary, our findings underscore the efficacy of targeting the Keap1 system through the homoPROTAC-ing technology as an innovative and promising treatment strategy for the incurable allergic disorders.

Objective:To evaluate the early outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and discuss the revisions post THA in the treatment for Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) with severe hip problems.Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled 50 patients (64 hips) with a mean age of 52.4±8.7 years, including 25 male patients and 25 female patients (36 left hips and 28 right hips), who were diagnosed as KBD with hip problems and received THA at Arthritis Clinical and Research Centre, Peking University People's Hospital from October 2019 to January 2024. The leg length discrepancy (LLD), femoral offset (FO), abduction angle and anteversion angle were calculated preoperatively and one week post-operation. The postoperative radiological indexes and the functional outcomes in the last follow-up were compared with the preoperative assessment.Results:The surgical duration was 105(80, 120) min and the bleeding amount was 300(200, 400) ml. All the cases were followed up for an average of 37 months (ranging from 21 to 44 months). Significant differences were found on postoperative radiological images, with LLD improving to 0.50±0.78 cm from a preoperative value of -1.36±0.79 cm, and FO increasing to 3.28±1.01 cm from 2.72±0.83 cm ( P<0.05). The mean postoperative abduction angle and anteversion angle were 42.5°±7.7° and 15.1°±5.9°, respectively. A total of 71.8% and 95.3% hips fell within the Lewinnek safe zones of abduction angle and anteversion angle, respectively. In terms of functional outcomes, the average range of motion improved significantly to 185°(173°, 210°) from a preoperative value of 99°(76°, 123°), and the Harris Hip Score increased from 35(26, 43) preoperatively to 70(63, 80) postoperatively ( P<0.05). During the follow-up, there were complications for two cases of femoral stem loosening, one case of periprosthetic femoral fracture, one case of hip dislocation, and one case of acetabular component loosening with hip subluxation. Additionally, seven patients exhibited Trendelenburg gait. A total of five hips required revision surgery due to severe complications, including two cases of femoral stem loosening, one case of periprosthetic femoral fracture, one case of hip dislocation, and one case of acetabular component loosening with subluxation. Conclusions:Patients with KBD demonstrated significant early improvements in both radiological and functional outcomes following THA.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban and investigate the clinical features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) associated with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in children. Methods:A case series study was conducted on 36 children, diagnosed with MPP associated with PTE and hospitalized in our institution from January 2020 to June 2024 of Department of Pediatric Respiratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University. Clinical data and follow-up information were collected to analyze their clinical characteristics, outcomes, and adverse events to rivaroxaban. Comparison of coagulation indices before and after treatment with rivaroxaban using the Mann-Whitney rank sum test.Results:Among the 36 children, there were 27 males and 9 females, and the age of onset was (7.8±2.8) years. PTE was diagnosed (17±6) days after the onset of MPP. Thirty-four cases (94%) were classified as low-risk PTE, and 13 cases (36%) had thromboembolism of multiple anatomic sites. All patients presented with cough and fever, manifesting as shortness of breath in 33 cases (92%), chest pain in 12 case (33%), hemoptysis in 6 case (17%) and dyspnea in 5 cases (14%). Pulmonary artery involvement was demonstrated by CT pulmonary angiography in all 36 children. The D-dimer level was 5.1 (4.2, 12.2) mg/L. D-dimer levels were 5.1 (4.2, 12.2) mg/L, of which 29 cases (81%) were ≥4.0 mg/L. The total duration of anticoagulation 3.1 (2.5, 4.2) months. All children received rivaroxaban for 2.7 (2.2, 3.8) months. Of the 36 children, 35 cases were followed up after 3 months of anticoagulant therapy, and 30 cases (83%) showed pulmonary artery thrombus absorption. Finally, follow-up outcome data were available for 34 cases, of which 33 showed complete resolution of thrombus in the affected areas, and 1 showed partial resolution. There were no cases of death, thrombus recurrence or progression, major bleeding events occurred or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Adverse events included hemoptysis in 2 cases and elevated liver enzymes in 4 cases. After the treatment of rivaroxaban, the levels of D-dimer were decreased compared with those before the treatment of PTE (0.3 (0.2, 0.5) vs. 5.1 (4.2, 12.2) mg/L, Z=-7.12, P<0.05), and the levels of prothrombin time levels were significantly longer compared with those before the treatment of PTE (3.6 (12.4, 14.9) vs. 13.0 (11.8, 13.6) s, Z=2.34, P<0.05). Conclusions:During the course of MPP, the emergence of clinical symptoms such as short of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea or along with elevated D-dimer levels, should raise suspicion for the occurrence of PTE. Rivaroxaban has shown good efficacy and a favorable safety profile.