Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct form of cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and sudden death. It has become a major cause of mortality in diabetic patients. The pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy is complex, involving increased oxidative stress, activation of inflammatory responses, disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), abnormal autophagy and apoptosis, insulin resistance, and impaired intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a crucial protective role by lowering blood glucose levels, promoting lipolysis, inhibiting lipid synthesis, and exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-ferroptotic effects. It also enhances autophagy, thereby alleviating myocardial injury under hyperglycemic conditions. Consequently, AMPK is considered a key protective factor in diabetic cardiomyopathy. As part of diabetes prevention and treatment strategies, both pharmacological and exercise interventions have been shown to mitigate diabetic cardiomyopathy by modulating the AMPK signaling pathway. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms, optimal intervention strategies, and clinical translation require further investigation. This review summarizes the role of AMPK in the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy through drug and/or exercise interventions, aiming to provide a reference for the development and application of AMPK-targeted therapies. First, several classical AMPK activators (e.g., AICAR, A-769662, O-304, and metformin) have been shown to enhance autophagy and glucose uptake while inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and/or by upregulating the gene expression of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4. Second, many antidiabetic agents (e.g., teneligliptin, liraglutide, exenatide, semaglutide, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin) can promote autophagy, reverse excessive apoptosis and autophagy, and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing AMPK phosphorylation and its downstream targets, such as mTOR, or by increasing the expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor‑α (PPAR‑α). Third, certain anti-anginal (e.g., trimetazidine, nicorandil), anti-asthmatic (e.g., farrerol), antibacterial (e.g., sodium houttuyfonate), and antibiotic (e.g., minocycline) agents have been shown to promote autophagy/mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and inhibit oxidative stress and lipid accumulation via AMPK phosphorylation and its downstream targets such as protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and/or PPAR‑α. Fourth, natural compounds (e.g., dihydromyricetin, quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, platycodin D, asiaticoside, cinnamaldehyde, and icariin) can upregulate AMPK phosphorylation and downstream targets such as AKT, mTOR, and/or the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptotic, antioxidant, and pro-autophagic effects. Fifth, moderate exercise (e.g., continuous or intermittent aerobic exercise, aerobic combined with resistance training, or high-intensity interval training) can activate AMPK and its downstream targets (e.g., acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), GLUT4, PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), PPAR-α, and forkhead box protein O3 (FOXO3)) to promote fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake, and to inhibit oxidative stress and excessive mitochondrial fission. Finally, the combination of liraglutide and aerobic interval training has been shown to activate the AMPK/FOXO1 pathway, thereby reducing excessive myocardial fatty acid uptake and oxidation. This combination therapy offers superior improvement in cardiac dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy, and fibrosis in diabetic conditions compared to liraglutide or exercise alone.

Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Cangfu Daotan Decoction combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin in patients with spleen deficiency phlegm-dampness type polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)accompanied by insulin resistance.Methods:80 patients with PCOS accompanied by insulin resistance who were admitted to our hospital from June 2023 to June 2024 were included.The patients were divided into control group(treated with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin)and study group(treated with modified Cangfu Daotan Decoction combine with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin)by the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.The total clinical effective rate,TCM syndrome score,sex hormone levels[prolactin(PRL),estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),testosterone(T),and luteinizing hormone(LH)],insulin resistance indicators[fasting insulin(FINS),fasting blood glucose(FBG),homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)],and endometrial receptivity[pulsatile index(PI),resistance index(RI),endometrial thickness(ET),ovulation rate]and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the control group after treatment,the total clinical effective rate,PRL,E2,FSH level,ET and the ovulation ratein the study group were higher,while the main symptoms,secondary symptoms,total score,T,LH levels,FBG,FINS levels,HOMA-IR,PI and RI were lower(P＜0.05).There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Cangfu Daotan Decoction combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin in patients with spleen deficiency phlegm-dampness type PCOS accompanied by insulin resistance,can improve the clinical symptoms,increase the total clinical effective rate,it may be related to the regulation of insulin resistance,sex hormone levels,and endometrial receptivity,it is safe and reliable.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre and early symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over 9 years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within 2 months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD.
Humans ; Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic/genetics* ; Pilot Projects ; Genetic Therapy/methods* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Follow-Up Studies ; Female ; Lentivirus/genetics* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Cerebroside-Sulfatase/metabolism* ; Adolescent

Aim To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in antagonizing endometriosis fibrosis by regulating mitophagy.Methods After the animal model was constructed,the syndrome was evalu-ated by general condition,organ water content and ther-mal imaging.The curative effect was evaluated by the weight of ectopic focus and the degree of adhesion.The pathological changes were compared using HE stai-ning,transmission electron microscopy,Masson and Sir-ius red staining.The expression of PINK1 and Parkin was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of mRNA and protein was determined by qPCR and Western blot,and the level of serum ROS was detected by ELISA.Results The autonomic activity of model mice was weakened,the water content of organs rose,and the temperature of limbs and lower abdomen was reduced by thermal imaging.HE staining showed obvi-ous hyperplasia of ectopic epithelium and glands.Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum structure damage,and nor-mal autophagy structure disappeared.Masson and Siri-us red staining showed increased collagen deposition;immunohistochemistry showed decreased expression of PINK1 and Parkin in ectopic foci.qPCR and Western blot showed that the expression of PINK1,Parkin,Bec-lin1,LC3 mRNA and protein in ectopic foci of model mice decreased,the expression of p62 mRNA and pro-tein increased,and serum ROS increased.The syn-drome performance of model mice was improved after the intervention of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction;the inflammatory infiltration of ectopic foci was relieved,the morphology of mitochondria and endoplasmic retic-ulum was restored,and normal autophagy structure ap-peared.The degree of collagen deposition and fibrosis was reduced;the mRNA and protein expression of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin1 and LC3 increased.The ex-pression of p62 mRNA and protein decreased,and the level of ROS decreased.Conclusions Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction can improve the fibrosis of ectopic le-sions in mice with endometriosis of cold-dampness sta-sis syndrome,which may be related to the regulation of mitophagy.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Cangfu Daotan Decoction combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin in patients with spleen deficiency phlegm-dampness type polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)accompanied by insulin resistance.Methods:80 patients with PCOS accompanied by insulin resistance who were admitted to our hospital from June 2023 to June 2024 were included.The patients were divided into control group(treated with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin)and study group(treated with modified Cangfu Daotan Decoction combine with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin)by the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.The total clinical effective rate,TCM syndrome score,sex hormone levels[prolactin(PRL),estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),testosterone(T),and luteinizing hormone(LH)],insulin resistance indicators[fasting insulin(FINS),fasting blood glucose(FBG),homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)],and endometrial receptivity[pulsatile index(PI),resistance index(RI),endometrial thickness(ET),ovulation rate]and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the control group after treatment,the total clinical effective rate,PRL,E2,FSH level,ET and the ovulation ratein the study group were higher,while the main symptoms,secondary symptoms,total score,T,LH levels,FBG,FINS levels,HOMA-IR,PI and RI were lower(P＜0.05).There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Cangfu Daotan Decoction combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate,metformin in patients with spleen deficiency phlegm-dampness type PCOS accompanied by insulin resistance,can improve the clinical symptoms,increase the total clinical effective rate,it may be related to the regulation of insulin resistance,sex hormone levels,and endometrial receptivity,it is safe and reliable.

Aim To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in antagonizing endometriosis fibrosis by regulating mitophagy.Methods After the animal model was constructed,the syndrome was evalu-ated by general condition,organ water content and ther-mal imaging.The curative effect was evaluated by the weight of ectopic focus and the degree of adhesion.The pathological changes were compared using HE stai-ning,transmission electron microscopy,Masson and Sir-ius red staining.The expression of PINK1 and Parkin was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of mRNA and protein was determined by qPCR and Western blot,and the level of serum ROS was detected by ELISA.Results The autonomic activity of model mice was weakened,the water content of organs rose,and the temperature of limbs and lower abdomen was reduced by thermal imaging.HE staining showed obvi-ous hyperplasia of ectopic epithelium and glands.Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum structure damage,and nor-mal autophagy structure disappeared.Masson and Siri-us red staining showed increased collagen deposition;immunohistochemistry showed decreased expression of PINK1 and Parkin in ectopic foci.qPCR and Western blot showed that the expression of PINK1,Parkin,Bec-lin1,LC3 mRNA and protein in ectopic foci of model mice decreased,the expression of p62 mRNA and pro-tein increased,and serum ROS increased.The syn-drome performance of model mice was improved after the intervention of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction;the inflammatory infiltration of ectopic foci was relieved,the morphology of mitochondria and endoplasmic retic-ulum was restored,and normal autophagy structure ap-peared.The degree of collagen deposition and fibrosis was reduced;the mRNA and protein expression of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin1 and LC3 increased.The ex-pression of p62 mRNA and protein decreased,and the level of ROS decreased.Conclusions Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction can improve the fibrosis of ectopic le-sions in mice with endometriosis of cold-dampness sta-sis syndrome,which may be related to the regulation of mitophagy.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor de-escalation and nicorandil therapy in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 300 elderly patients with ACS were selected from the Sixth and Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and Beijing Chaoyang Integrative Medicine Emergency Rescue and First Aid Hospital from November 2016 to June 2019,including 153 males and 147 females,aged>65 years old.All the patients received PCI,and all had double antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)scores≥2 and a new DAPT(PRECISE-DAPT)score of≥25.All patients were divided into two groups by random number table method before operation:ticagrelor group(n=146,ticagrelor 180 mg load dose followed by PCI,and ticagrelor 90 mg bid after surgery)and ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil group(n=154,ticagrelor 180 mg load dose followed by PCI,ticagrelor 90 mg bid+nicorandil 5 mg tid after surgery,changed to ticagrelor 60 mg bid+ nicorandil 5 mg tid 6 months later).Follow-up was 12 months.The composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction and stroke,the composite end points of mild hemorrhage,minor hemorrhage,other major hemorrhage and major fatal/life-threatening hemorrhage as defined by the PLATO study,and the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction,stroke and bleeding within 12 months in the two groups were observed.Results The comparison of general baseline data between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).There was also no significant difference in the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction and stroke between the two groups(P>0.05).The cumulative incidence of bleeding events in ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil group was significantly lower than that in ticagrelor group(P<0.05),while the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction,stroke and bleeding were also significantly lower than those in tecagrelor group(P<0.05).Conclusion In elderly patients with ACS,the treatment of ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil after PCI may not increase the incidence of ischemic events such as cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction or stroke,and it may reduce the incidence of hemorrhagic events.

Volume electron microscopy (vEM) imaging technology was rapidly developed in recent years. It has been the advanced technology to solve high-resolution three-dimensional structures of biological samples. Much wonderful work has revealed the fine structure and interactions of intracellular organelles, the ultrastructure of tissues, and even the three-dimensional structure of entire small biological organisms. With the continuous improvement of resolution, scale and throughput, vEM is becoming more and more widely used in medicine, life sciences, clinical diagnostics and other fields. As a result, this technology has been rated by Nature as one of the seven most noteworthy frontier technologies to watch in 2023. However, the development and application of vEM-related technologies started late in China and need to be further promoted. We write this review to introduce all related vEM technologies, covering the development history of vEM, technology classification, sample preparation, data collection, image processing, etc., which is convenient for people in various fields to understand, learn, apply and further develop this technology.

Objective: To investigate the factors affecting depression and anxiety symptoms among the elderly, so as to provide the basis for promoting mental health among the elderly. Methods: The elderly aged 60 years and above in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province were recruited using the multistage stratified random sampling method from June to August 2022, and demographic information, lifestyle and self-rated health status were collected by questionnaires. The symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. The presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was determined when both the PHQ-9 score and the GAD-7 score were 10 points and higher. Factors affecting depressive and anxiety symptoms were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 7 771 individuals were surveyed, including 3 490 males (44.91%) and 4 281 females (55.09%), and had a mean age of (72.11±6.79) years. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was 2.05%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified residence (urban area, OR=0.316, 95%CI: 0.201-0.498), sedentary duration (<3 h/d, OR=0.349, 95%CI: 0.232-0.525; 3-5 h/d, OR=0.458, 95%CI: 0.313-0.671), physical activity (≥3 times/week, OR=0.551, 95%CI: 0.373-0.815), sleep quality (poor, OR=2.491, 95%CI: 1.738-3.571), social isolation (OR=1.688, 95%CI: 1.148-2.481) and self-rated health (poor, OR=5.857, 95%CI: 3.547-9.671; normal, OR=1.903, 95%CI: 1.234-2.937) as the influencing factors for depression and anxiety symptoms among the elderly. Conclusion The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among the elderly is associated with residence, sedentary duration, sleep quality, physical activity, social interactions and self-rated health status.