Aim To investigate the protective effect of berberine(BBR)on mice with unilateral ureteral obstr-uction(UUO)and explore its mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham group,UUO group,and BBR treatment groups(50,100 and 200 mg·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.Except the sham group,the other groups were subjected to left ureteral ligation to establish the UUO model.Af-ter modeling,the mice in the sham and UUO groups were fed normal saline,and the mice in the BBR treat-ment groups were fed(50,100,200)mg·kg-1 BBR by gavage for 14 days,respectively.Biochemical analy-zer was employed to detect the levels of serum creati-nine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN).HE,Mas-son,TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tis-sue.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in renal tissue homogenate.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF in mouse kidney.Re-sults Compared with the UUO group,the levels of Scr and BUN in the BBR group were significantly reduced.Renal injury and interstitial fibrosis were alleviated.The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased in kidney.The expression of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF decreased.All results showed some degree of dose dependence.Conclusion Berberine has a sig-nificant protective effect on unilateral ureteral obstruc-tion mice,and the mechanism may be that BBR has the potential to inhibit NF-κB p65/TGF-β1/CTGF signa-ling pathway,thus reducing renal inflammation and fi-brosis.

AIM To explore the effects and mechanism of Polygoni multiflori Radix Preparata(PMRP)ona rat model of post-stroke depression(PSD).METHODS The models of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)established by thread embolism method were then randomly divided into the model group,the positive drug(fluoxetine)group,and the low-dose and high-dose PMRP groups,with 10 rats in each group,in contrast to the 10 rats of the sham operation group.After 7 days of MCAO modeling,the rats underwent their 21-day PSD modeling except those of the sham operation group,during which the rats had their the neurological functions and behaviors assessed on the 1st,7th,14th and 21st day;and their cerebral infarction area and brain water content detected on the 21st day.HE staining,Nissl staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of cerebral ischemic penumbra.ELISA and Western blot were applied in the detections of the cerebral protein expressions of aquaporins(AQP3,AQP4,AQP5)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF).RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose PMRP group displayed improved neurological functions and behavioral scores(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and reduced cerebral infarction area and brain water content(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,each treatment group demonstrated clearer brain structure in ischemic penumbra,smaller intercellular space,increased neuron counts,decreased cerebral protein expressions of AQP3,AQP4 and AQP5(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and increased BDNF protein expression(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION PMRP can reduce the depression of PSD rats by improving the microenvironment of neurons to promote their growth and survival,and eliminating the brain edema to enhance neurological functions via reduced protein expressions of AQP3,AQP4 and AQP5,and increased BDNF protein expression.

The heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) protein family is a cluster of highly conserved molecules that play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Hsp90 and its co-chaperones regulate a variety of pathways and cellular functions, such as cell growth, cell cycle control and apoptosis. Hsp90 is closely associated with the occurrence and development of tumors and other diseases, making it an attractive target for cancer therapeutics. Inhibition of Hsp90 expression can affect multiple oncogenic pathways simultaneously. Most Hsp90 small molecule inhibitors are in clinical trials due to their low efficacy, toxicity or drug resistance, but they have obvious synergistic anti-tumor effect when used with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, tubulin inhibitors or topoisomerase II (Topo II) inhibitors. To address this issue, the design of Hsp90 dual-target inhibitors can improve efficacy and reduce drug resistance, making it an effective tumor treatment strategy. In this paper, the domain and biological function of Hsp90 are briefly introduced, and the design, discovery and structure-activity relationship of Hsp90 dual inhibitors are discussed, in order to provide reference for the discovery of novel Hsp90 dual inhibitors and clinical drug research from the perspective of medicinal chemistry.

Manganese superoxide dismutase catalyzes the dismutation of two molecules of superoxide radicals to one molecule of oxygen and one molecule of hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation of superoxide anion to oxygen by Mn³⁺SOD proceeds at a rate close to diffusion. The reduction of superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide by Mn²⁺SOD can be progressed parallelly in either a fast or a slow cycle pathway. In the slow cycle pathway, Mn²⁺SOD forms a product inhibitory complex with superoxide anion, which is protonated and then slowly releases hydrogen peroxide out. In the fast cycle pathway, superoxide anion is directly converted into product hydrogen peroxide by Mn²⁺SOD, which facilitates the revival and turnover of the enzyme. We proposed for the first time that temperature is a key factor that regulates MnSOD into the slow- or fast-cycle catalytic pathway. Normally, the Mn²⁺ rest in the pent-coordinated state with four amino acid residues (His26, His74, His163 and Asp159) and one water (WAT1) in the active center of MnSOD. The sixth coordinate position on Mn (orange arrow) is open for water (WAT2, green) or O₂^• to coordinate. With the cold contraction in the active site as temperature decreases, WAT2 is closer to Mn, which may spatially interfere with the entrance of O₂^• into the inner sphere, and avoid O₂^•/Mn²⁺ coordination to reduce product inhibition. Low temperature compels the reaction into the faster outer sphere pathway, resulting in a higher gating ratio for the fast-cycle pathway. As the temperature increases in the physiological temperature range, the slow cycle becomes the mainstream of the whole catalytic reaction, so the increasing temperature in the physiological range inhibits the activity of the enzyme. The biphasic enzymatic kinetic properties of manganese superoxide dismutase can be rationalized by a temperature-dependent coordination model of the conserved active center of the enzyme. When the temperature decreases, a water molecule (or OH^-) is close to or even coordinates Mn, which can interfere with the formation of product inhibition. So, the enzymatic reaction occurs mainly in the fast cycle pathway at a lower temperature. Finally, we describe the several chemical modifications of the enzyme, indicating that manganese superoxide dismutase can be rapidly regulated in many patterns (allosteric regulation and chemical modification). These regulatory modulations can rapidly and directly change the activation of the enzyme, and then regulate the balance and fluxes of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in cells. We try to provide a new theory to reveal the physiological role of manganese superoxide dismutase and reactive oxygen species.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training in treating qi deficiency and blood stasis type of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage in the recovery stage.Methods A total of 132 patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis type of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage in the recovery period were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 66 cases in each group,the control group was given western medicine conventional treatment combined with rehabilitation training,and the observation group was treated with acupuncture on the basis of the control group.Both groups of patients were treated for 12 consecutive weeks.After 12 weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes of simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA),National Institutes of Health Neurological Impairment Scale(NIHSS),and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,as well as the changes of serum interleukin 6(IL-6),homocysteine(Hcy),and endothelin 1(ET-1),serum matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)levels were observed before and after the treatment of the patients in the two groups.The changes of serum serine-threonine protein kinase(AKT),phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase(PI3K),and Bcl-2-related X protein(bax)levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results(1)After treatment,the serum IL-6,Hcy,ET-1 levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the serum IL-6,Hcy,ET-1 levels,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the serum MMP-9 and BDNF levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving serum MMP-9 and BDNF levels,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the serum AKT,PI3K,bax levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving serum AKT,PI3K,bax levels,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the FMA score,TCM syndrome scores,and NIHSS score of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the FMA score,TCM syndrome scores,and NIHSS score,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)The total effective rate was 93.34%(62/66)in the observation group and 81.82%(54/66)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for the treatment of patients recovering from hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage of qi deficiency and blood stasis type can significantly reduce the patient's inflammatory response,regulate the level of neurofactors,inhibit neuronal apoptosis,and promote the recovery of neurological function,and the clinical efficacy is remarkable.

Osteoporosis(OP)is a systemic bone disease characterized by low bone mass and damage to the microstructure of bone tissue,leading to increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.Owing to its high prevalence,disability and mortality rates,as well as more sequelae,it brings heavy burden to patients and society.In recent years,as the research on the chemical and pharmacological effects of Psoralea corylifolia has made great progress,scholars have isolated compounds such as coumarins,flavonoids and monoterpene phenols,which have anti-OP,anti-oxidation,and anti-inflammatory properties,Psoralea corylifolia has been widely used in the treatment of OP.This article reviews the regulatory mechanism of active ingredients of Psoralea corylifolia in OP lipid metabolism,bone metabolism and oxidative stress,as well as related therapeutic strategies targeting Wnt/β-catenin,PI3K/Akt,PPAR-γ/Wnt,RANKL/RANK/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways,in order to provide further reference for the prevention and treatment of OP.

Humans ; Child ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology*

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary and secondary pancreatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) . Methods: Clinical data of patients with pancreatic DLBCL admitted at Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 2003 to June 2020 were analyzed. Gene mutation profiles were evaluated by targeted sequencing (55 lymphoma-related genes). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate the prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) . Results: Overall, 80 patients were included; 12 patients had primary pancreatic DLBCL (PPDLBCL), and 68 patients had secondary pancreatic DLBCL (SPDLBCL). Compared with those with PPDLBCL, patients with SPDLBCL had a higher number of affected extranodal sites (P<0.001) and had higher IPI scores (P=0.013). There was no significant difference in the OS (P=0.120) and PFS (P=0.067) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that IPI intermediate-high/high risk (P=0.025) and double expressor (DE) (P=0.017) were independent adverse prognostic factors of OS in patients with pancreatic DLBCL. IPI intermediate-high/high risk (P=0.021) was an independent adverse prognostic factor of PFS in patients with pancreatic DLBCL. Targeted sequencing of 29 patients showed that the mutation frequency of PIM1, SGK1, BTG2, FAS, MYC, and MYD88 in patients with pancreatic DLBCL were all >20%. PIM1 (P=0.006 for OS, P=0.032 for PFS) and MYD88 (P=0.001 for OS, P=0.017 for PFS) mutations were associated with poor OS and PFS in patients with SPDLBCL. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the OS and PFS between patients with PPDLBCL and those with SPDLBCL. IPI intermediate-high/high risk and DE were adverse prognostic factors of pancreatic DLBCL. PIM1, SGK1, BTG2, FAS, MYC, and MYD88 were common mutations in pancreatic DLBCL. PIM1 and MYD88 mutations indicated worse prognosis.
Humans ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; Disease-Free Survival ; Retrospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Prognosis ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Pancreas/pathology* ; Immediate-Early Proteins/therapeutic use* ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different medical treatment in advanced or unresectable angiosarcoma. Methods: This study was a single-center retrospective clinical study. Fifty-five advanced or unresectable angiosarcoma patients treated in Sun-Yat Sen University Cancer Center from January 2005 to August 2020 were enrolled. There were 34 patients who received first-line doxorubicin-based chemotherapy (doxorubicin group), 12 patients received first-line doxorubicin or liposome doxorubicin plus paclitaxel or albumin bound paclitaxel chemotherapy (combination therapy group), and 4 patients received first-line paclitaxel-based treatment (paclitaxel group). There were 6 patients who received anti-angiogenesis targeted therapy, another 2 patients received anti-PD-1 antibody plus anti-angiogenesis targeted therapy. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy plus targeted therapy included 5 cases of first-line therapy and 3 cases of second-line therapy. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by RECIST 1.1 standard. The adverse reactions were evaluated by CTCAE4.0 standard. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was evaluated with Log rank test. Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results: There were 18 patients achieved partial response (PR) in 34 patients in the doxorubicin group, median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 4.5 months, and median overall survival (mOS) was 15 months. Four patients achieved PR in 12 patients in the combination therapy group, mPFS and mOS were 4 months and 19 months. Two patients achieved PR in 4 patients in the paclitaxel group, mPFS and mOS were 3 months and 9 months. However, only 1 in 6 patients achieved PR for anti-angiogenesis targeted therapy, mPFS and mOS were 3 months and 16 months. Two patients who received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy combined with anti-angiogenesis targeted therapy acquired PR for 17 months and more than 16 months. Median PFS (7.5 months) were longer in those with primary liver, lung and spleen angiosarcoma than in those with other primary site (3.0 months, P=0.028). The mOS (20 months) was longer in females than that in males (12 months, P=0.045). Primary tumor site, sex, age and treatment were not independent prognostic factors for angiosarcoma patients (P>0.05). Grade 3-4 cardiac toxicity was found in 2 patients in the combination therapy group. Conclusions: Doxorubicin-based and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy are the most important treatment for advanced angiosarcoma. Potential efficacy for targeted therapy combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy are showed in some patients with long duration of response and moderate adverse event.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Hemangiosarcoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Paclitaxel/adverse effects* ; Doxorubicin/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-angiogenic activity of Kunxian Capsule (KX) extract and explore the underlying molecular mechanism using zebrafish. METHODS: The KX extract was prepared with 5.0 g in 100 mL of 40% methanol followed by ultrasonication and freeze drying. Freeze dried KX extract of 10.00 mg was used as test stock solution. Triptolide and icariin, the key bioactive compounds of KX were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. The transgenic zebrafish Tg(flk1:GFP) embryos were dechorionated at 20-h post fertilization (hpf) and treated with PTK 787, and 3.5, 7, 14 and 21 µg/mL of KX extract, respectively. After 24-h post exposure (hpe), mortality and malformation (%), intersegmental vessels (ISV) formation, and mRNA expression level of angiogenic pathway genes including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) were determined. Further, the embryos at 72 hpf were treated with KX extract to observe the development of sub-intestinal vein (SIV) after 24 hpe. RESULTS: The chromatographic analysis of test stock solution of KX extract showed that triptolide and icariin was found as 0.089 mg/g and 48.74 mg/g, respectively, which met the requirements of the national drug standards. In zebrafish larvae experiment, KX extract significantly inhibited the ISV (P<0.01) and SIV formation (P<0.05). Besides, the mRNA expression analysis showed that KX extract could significantly suppress the expressions of PI3K and AKT, thereby inhibiting the mRNA levels of ERKs and MAPK. Moreover, the downstream signaling cascade affected the expression of VEGF and its receptors (VEGFR and VEGFR-2). FGF-2, a strong angiogenic factor, was also down-regulated by KX treatment in zebrafish larvae. CONCLUSION KX extract exhibited anti-angiogenic effects in zebrafish embryos by regulating PI3K/AKT-MAPK-VEGF pathway and showed promising potential for RA treatment.
Animals ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Zebrafish