1.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
2.Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Regulates Ferroptosis via Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway to Alleviate Myocardial Remodeling in Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction
Xuesong CHEN ; Rongnan QIU ; Shenghao WANG ; Yan FENG ; Jutong XIE ; Yuwen YAN ; Tianlin YANG ; Changxu XIE ; Lei GAO ; Jianping SHEN ; Yuehong SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):54-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on ferroptosis in the rat model of myocardial infarction and further elucidate its role in myocardial remodeling. MethodsThe rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The 50 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, ferroptosis inhibitor group (2 mg·kg-1), enalapril group (2.1 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose (4 g·kg-1 and 8 g·kg-1, respectively) Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After 4 weeks of treatment, echocardiography was used to assess the cardiac structure and function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were employed to observe pathological morphology and fibrosis of the myocardial tissue. Serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and myosin heavy chain-β (MHC-β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Prussian blue staining was performed to detect myocardial iron deposition. The myocardial mitochondrial structure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the myocardial tissue were determined by lipid peroxidation assay kits. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to observe the fluorescence intensity of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the myocardial tissue. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the expression levels of proteins in the Nrf2/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and serum levels of NT-proBNP, TGF-β, and MHC-β (P<0.01), decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01), disarrangement of myocardial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, severe myocardial fibrosis, increased myocardial iron deposition, and irregular mitochondrial morphology with vacuolation. Furthermore, the modeling led to increased MDA (P<0.01), decreased GSH (P<0.01), diminished Nrf2 fluorescence intensity in the myocardial tissue, and downregulated expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma reduced the LVEDD, LVESD, and serum levels of NT-proBNP, TGF-β, and MHC-β (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the LVEF and LVFS (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes such as myocardial cell disarrangement, inflammatory cell infiltration, myocardial fibrosis, and iron deposition, lowered the level of MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01), raised the level of GSH (P<0.05, P<0.01), improved the mitochondrial morphology and reduced vacuolation in the myocardial tissue, enhanced Nrf2 fluorescence intensity, and upregulated the expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the rat model of myocardial infarction. ConclusionGardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma alleviates pathological damage and myocardial remodeling in the rat model of myocardial infarction by inhibiting ferroptosis, the mechanism of which is related to the activation of Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.
3.Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Regulates Ferroptosis via Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway to Alleviate Myocardial Remodeling in Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction
Xuesong CHEN ; Rongnan QIU ; Shenghao WANG ; Yan FENG ; Jutong XIE ; Yuwen YAN ; Tianlin YANG ; Changxu XIE ; Lei GAO ; Jianping SHEN ; Yuehong SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):54-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on ferroptosis in the rat model of myocardial infarction and further elucidate its role in myocardial remodeling. MethodsThe rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The 50 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, ferroptosis inhibitor group (2 mg·kg-1), enalapril group (2.1 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose (4 g·kg-1 and 8 g·kg-1, respectively) Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After 4 weeks of treatment, echocardiography was used to assess the cardiac structure and function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were employed to observe pathological morphology and fibrosis of the myocardial tissue. Serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and myosin heavy chain-β (MHC-β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Prussian blue staining was performed to detect myocardial iron deposition. The myocardial mitochondrial structure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the myocardial tissue were determined by lipid peroxidation assay kits. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to observe the fluorescence intensity of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the myocardial tissue. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the expression levels of proteins in the Nrf2/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and serum levels of NT-proBNP, TGF-β, and MHC-β (P<0.01), decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01), disarrangement of myocardial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, severe myocardial fibrosis, increased myocardial iron deposition, and irregular mitochondrial morphology with vacuolation. Furthermore, the modeling led to increased MDA (P<0.01), decreased GSH (P<0.01), diminished Nrf2 fluorescence intensity in the myocardial tissue, and downregulated expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Gardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma reduced the LVEDD, LVESD, and serum levels of NT-proBNP, TGF-β, and MHC-β (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the LVEF and LVFS (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes such as myocardial cell disarrangement, inflammatory cell infiltration, myocardial fibrosis, and iron deposition, lowered the level of MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01), raised the level of GSH (P<0.05, P<0.01), improved the mitochondrial morphology and reduced vacuolation in the myocardial tissue, enhanced Nrf2 fluorescence intensity, and upregulated the expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the rat model of myocardial infarction. ConclusionGardeniae Fructus-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma alleviates pathological damage and myocardial remodeling in the rat model of myocardial infarction by inhibiting ferroptosis, the mechanism of which is related to the activation of Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.
4.Impact of early detection and management of emotional distress on length of stay in non-psychiatric inpatients: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study.
Wanjun GUO ; Huiyao WANG ; Wei DENG ; Zaiquan DONG ; Yang LIU ; Shanxia LUO ; Jianying YU ; Xia HUANG ; Yuezhu CHEN ; Jialu YE ; Jinping SONG ; Yan JIANG ; Dajiang LI ; Wen WANG ; Xin SUN ; Weihong KUANG ; Changjian QIU ; Nansheng CHENG ; Weimin LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Yansong LIU ; Zhen TANG ; Xiangdong DU ; Andrew J GREENSHAW ; Lan ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2974-2983
BACKGROUND:
While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge.
CONCLUSION
Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data*
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Psychological Distress
;
Inpatients/psychology*
;
Aged
;
Anxiety/diagnosis*
;
Depression/diagnosis*
5.Identification of GSK3 family and regulatory effects of brassinolide on growth and development of Nardostachys jatamansi.
Yu-Yan LEI ; Zheng MA ; Jing WEI ; Wen-Bing LI ; Ying LI ; Zheng-Ming YANG ; Shao-Shan ZHANG ; Jing-Qiu FENG ; Hua-Chun SHENG ; Yuan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):395-403
This study identified 8 members including NjBIN2 of the GSK3 family in Nardostachys jatamansi by bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree revealed that the GKS3 family members of N. jatamansi had a close relationship with those of Arabidopsis. RT-qPCR results showed that NjBIN2 presented a tissue-specific expression pattern with the highest expression in roots, suggesting that NjBIN2 played a role in root growth and development. In addition, the application of epibrassinolide or the brassinosteroid(BR) synthesis inhibitor(brassinazole) altered the expression pattern of NjBIN2 and influenced the photomorphogenesis(cotyledon opening) and root development of N. jatamansi, which provided direct evidence about the functions of NjBIN2. In conclusion, this study highlights the roles of BIN2 in regulating the growth and development of N. jatamansi by analyzing the expression pattern and biological function of NjBIN2. It not only enriches the understanding about the regulatory mechanism of the growth and development of N. jatamansi but also provides a theoretical basis and potential gene targets for molecular breeding of N. jatamansi with improved quality in the future.
Brassinosteroids/metabolism*
;
Steroids, Heterocyclic/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects*
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Phylogeny
;
Nardostachys/metabolism*
;
Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology*
;
Plant Roots/drug effects*
6.Application of OpenSim musculoskeletal model in biomechanics research of orthopedics and traumatology.
Rui LI ; Yang LIU ; Zhao-Jie ZHANG ; Xin-Wei ZHANG ; Yan-Zhen ZHANG ; Yan-Qi HU ; Can YANG ; Shu-Shi MAO ; Jia-Ming QIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(3):319-324
OpenSim is an open source, free motion simulation and gait analysis software, which can be used to dynamically simulate and analyze the complex motion of the human body, and is widely used in human biomechanical research. Since OpenSim can analyze multi-dimensional motion data such as muscle strength, joint torque, and muscle synergistic activation during human movement, it can be used to study the biomechanical mechanism of musculoskeletal imbalance diseases and various treatment methods in TCM orthopedics, and has a broad application prospect in the field of TCM orthopedics. By the analysis of the basic characteristics, elements, analysis process, and application prospects of OpenSim, it is concluded that OpenSim musculoskeletal model has a large application space in the field of traditional Chinese medicine orthopedic, which is helpful to explain the pathogenesis and mechanism of diseases, and promote the precision diagnosis and treatment of orthopedics diseases;the application of OpenSim musculoskeletal model can solve the problem that the previous research paid attention to the bone malalignment and not enough attention to the tendon, and provide a new method for the research of orthopedic diseases. At present, there are still problems in the promotion and application of OpenSim, such as large equipment requirements and high operation threshold. Therefore, multidisciplinary cooperation, clinical research, and data sharing are the basic research strategies in this field.
Humans
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Orthopedics
;
Traumatology
;
Software
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Musculoskeletal System
;
Models, Biological
7.Mechanism of 2,6-DMBQ attenuates airway inflammatory responses in asthmatic mice via the mTOR signaling pathway.
Juan LI ; Shu-Fang LI ; Xiao-Man XIONG ; Qiu-Yan YANG ; Xue-Li XIE ; Yan-Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(4):472-479
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (2,6-DMBQ) in a mouse model of asthma.
METHODS:
SPF-grade BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=8 each group): normal control group, ovalbumin (OVA) group, dimethyl sulfoxide+corn oil group, budesonide (BUD) group, and low, medium, and high dose 2,6-DMBQ groups. An asthma mouse model was established by OVA induction, followed by corresponding drug interventions. Non-invasive lung function tests were performed to measure airway hyperresponsiveness, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine levels of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-10, and serum immunoglobulin E in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A cell counter was employed to detect eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, while hematoxylin-eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used to assess lung tissue pathological changes. Western blot was conducted to examine the expression of proteins related to the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway (p-AKT/AKT and p-p70S6K/p70S6K), and a fully automated biochemical analyzer was used to evaluate liver and kidney functions.
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal control group, the OVA group showed increased enhanced pause values, inflammation scores from hematoxylin-eosin staining, positive area from periodic acid-Schiff staining, percentage of eosinophils, IL-17/IL-10 ratio, serum immunoglobulin E levels, and relative expression levels of p-AKT/AKT and p-p70S6K/p70S6K (P<0.05). The BUD group and the medium and high dose 2,6-DMBQ groups exhibited decreased values for these indicators compared to the OVA group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
2,6-DMBQ can inhibit the mTOR pathway to alleviate airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, possibly by mitigating the imbalance between Th17 and regulatory T cells.
Animals
;
Asthma/pathology*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology*
;
Female
;
Benzoquinones/pharmacology*
;
Immunoglobulin E/blood*
;
Interleukin-10/analysis*
;
Interleukin-17/analysis*
;
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
;
Lung/pathology*
8.Two cases of Coffin-Siris syndrome type 3 caused by de novoSMARCB1 gene mutations.
Ying JIN ; Meng-Qiu LI ; Yan-Ling YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):870-874
Patient 1, a 3-year-6-month-old male, presented with feeding difficulties and delayed motor development. He exhibited poor responsiveness at birth, weak crying, intellectual and motor delays, low immunity, recurrent respiratory infections, hypotonia of the limbs, and distinctive facial features (low-set ears, double chin, and high arched palate), as well as a single transverse palmar crease on the right hand. Genetic testing revealed a c.1096C>T heterozygous variant in the SMARCB1 gene. Patient 2, a 3-year-old male, presented with developmental delay and distinctive facial features. Genetic testing identified the same pathogenic mutation as in Patient 1. The two patients are unrelated, and clinical phenotyping and genetic testing confirmed both cases as Coffin-Siris syndrome type 3. Coffin-Siris syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, and early genetic testing can aid in diagnosis.
Child, Preschool
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics*
;
Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics*
;
Ear/abnormalities*
;
Face/abnormalities*
;
Hand Deformities, Congenital/genetics*
;
Intellectual Disability/genetics*
;
Micrognathism/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Neck/abnormalities*
9.Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction Improves Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Rats via Regulating Adenosine.
Yang WANG ; Qiu-Ju YAN ; En HU ; Yao WU ; Ruo-Qi DING ; Quan CHEN ; Meng-Han CHENG ; Xi-Ya YANG ; Tao TANG ; Teng LI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):624-634
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the neuroprotective effects of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) based on in vivo and metabolomics experiments.
METHODS:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was induced via a controlled cortical impact (CCI) method. Thirty rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 for each): sham, CCI and XFZYD groups (9 g/kg). The administration was performed by intragastric administration for 3 days. Neurological functions tests, histology staining, coagulation and haemorheology assays, and Western blot were examined. Untargeted metabolomics was employed to identify metabolites. The key metabolite was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence.
RESULTS:
XFZYD significantly alleviated neurological dysfunction in CCI model rats (P<0.01) but had no impact on coagulation function. As evidenced by Evans blue and IgG staining, XFZYD effectively prevented blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, XFZYD not only increased the expression of collagen IV, occludin and zona occludens 1 but also decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which protected BBB integrity (all P<0.05). Nine potential metabolites were identified, and all of them were reversed by XFZYD. Adenosine was the most significantly altered metabolite related to BBB repair. XFZYD significantly reduced the level of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 2 (ENT2) and increased adenosine (P<0.01), which may improve BBB integrity.
CONCLUSIONS
XFZYD ameliorates BBB disruption after TBI by decreasing the levels of MMP-9 and COX-2. Through further exploration via metabolomics, we found that XFZYD may exert a protective effect on BBB by regulating adenosine metabolism via ENT2.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism*
;
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/metabolism*
;
Adenosine/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
10.Shenmai Injection Reduces Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Induced by Doxorubicin through miR-30a/Bcl-2.
Xiao-Nan ZHANG ; Yan-Yang LI ; Shi-Chao LYU ; Qiu-Jin JIA ; Jun-Ping ZHANG ; Long-Tao LIU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(3):240-250
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the molecular mechanism of Shenmai Injection (SMI) against doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
METHODS:
A total of 40 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into 5 groups based on the random number table, including the control group, the model group, miR-30a agomir group, SMI low-dose (SMI-L) group, and SMI high-dose (SMI-H) group, with 8 rats in each group. Except for the control group, the rats were injected weekly with DOX (2 mg/kg) in the tail vein for 4 weeks to induce myocardial injury, and were given different regimens of continuous intervention for 2 weeks. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography and myocardial pathological changes were observed by Van Gieson (VG) staining. Myocardial injury serum markers, including creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), soluble ST2 (sST2), and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated dUTP triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) and transmission electron microscopy, and the expressions of target proteins and mRNA were detected by Western blot and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-RCR), respectively.
RESULTS:
The treatment with different doses of SMI reduced rat heart mass index and left ventricular mass index (P<0.05), significantly improved the left ventricular ejection fraction (P<0.05), decreased the levels of serum CK, LDH, cTnT, and NT-proBNP (P<0.05 or P<0.01), reduced the levels of serum sST2 and GDF-15 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), decreased the collagen volume fraction, reduced the expressions of rat myocardial type I and type III collagen (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and effectively alleviated myocardial fibrosis. And the study found that SMI promoted the expression levels of miR-30a and Bcl-2 in myocardium, and down-regulated the expression of Bax, which inhibited the activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and improved myocardial cell apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
SMI can alleviate myocardial injury and apoptosis caused by DOX, and its mechanism possibly by promoting the targeted expression of myocardial Bcl-2 protein through miR-30a.
Animals
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Doxorubicin/pharmacology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics*
;
Drug Combinations
;
Injections
;
Rats

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