This study investigated the effects of total flavonoids of Dracocephalum moldavica(TFDM) on apoptosis in rat H9c2 cells induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS) established by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation(OGD/R) injury and tunicamycin(TM), and explored the potential mechanisms. After successful modeling, the following groups were set in this experiment: control group, model(OGD/R or TM) group, and TFDM low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(12.5, 25, and 50 μg·mL~(-1)). The OGD/R injury model was constructed in vitro. Cell proliferation was assessed using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CKMB) in the cell supernatant were detected. Western blot was used to assess the expression of ERS-related proteins, including glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP), activating transcription factor 6(ATF6), and apoptotic proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax). Apoptosis was detected using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) method. In the TM-induced ERS model, Western blot was used to measure the expression of ERS pathway-related proteins GRP78, CHOP, inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1), X-box binding protein 1(XBP1), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α), ATF6, p-ATF6, and apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bax, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12(caspase-12), and cleaved caspase-12. Gene expression of GRP78, CHOP, PERK, and ATF6 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). Apoptosis was again detected using the TUNEL method. The results showed that in the OGD/R model, compared with the control group, the levels of LDH and CKMB in the cell supernatant were significantly increased in the OGD/R group. Compared with the OGD/R group, the levels of LDH and CKMB in the TFDM group were significantly reduced. Western blot results revealed that compared with the control group, the expression of ERS-related proteins and Bax in the OGD/R group was significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased. Compared with the OGD/R group, the expression of ERS-related proteins and Bax in the TFDM groups was significantly reduced, and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased. TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis was significantly decreased after TFDM treatment. In the TM-induced ERS experiment, compared with the control group, the expression of ERS-related genes, ERS-related proteins, and apoptotic proteins in the TM group was significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased. Compared with the TM group, the expression of ERS-related genes, ERS-related proteins, and apoptotic proteins in the TFDM group was significantly reduced, and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased. These results suggest that ERS exists in the OGD/R-injured H9c2 cell model, and TFDM can effectively inhibit ERS-induced apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of ERS pathway-related proteins and apoptotic proteins.
Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Lamiaceae/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/physiopathology* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology*

Based on the interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathway, this study explores the effect and mechanism of Bufei Decoction on Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats. SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Bufei Decoction low-dose group(6.68 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Bufei Decoction high-dose group(13.36 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and dexamethasone group(1.04 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 rats in each group. A pneumonia model was established by tracheal drip injection of K. pneumoniae. After successful model establishment, the improvement in lung tissue damage was observed following drug administration. Core targets and signaling pathways were screened using transcriptomics techniques. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of core targets interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and chemokine CXC ligand 6(CXCL6). Western blot was used to assess key proteins in the IL-17 signaling pathway, including interleukin-17A(IL-17A), nuclear transcription factor-κB activator 1(Act1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), and downstream phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65). Apoptosis of lung tissue cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL). The results showed that, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, as well as the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly increased, and the number of apoptotic cells was notably higher, indicating successful model establishment. Compared with the model group, both low-and high-dose groups of Bufei Decoction showed reduced pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, and the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly decreased, with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells in the high-dose group. In conclusion, Bufei Decoction can effectively improve lung tissue damage and reduce inflammation in rats with K. pneumoniae. The mechanism may involve the regulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway and the reduction of apoptosis.
Animals ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/physiology* ; Klebsiella Infections/immunology* ; Humans ; Lung/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC). METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with HSPC and renal-yang deficiency at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Mayang Miao Autonomous County from 1st April 2021 to 30th April 2024 were randomly divided into 2 groups. The patients in the control group were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). And the patients in treatment group were treated with Shenqi Pills orally on the basis of the control group. The baseline data of the two groups were analyzed. After 36 months of treatment, the differences between the two groups were compared in terms of overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA response rate, Functional Assessment Scale for Prostate Cancer Therapy (FACT-P), Chinese medicine evidence scores, testosterone level and safety. RESULTS: A total of 80 study subjects were included in this study, including 42 cases in the treatment group and 38 cases in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the baseline data between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). At the end of the observation period, a statistically significant difference in OS was found in the treatment group compared to the control group in the subgroup of patients with a disease duration ranged of 0-6 months (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in PSA levels in the treatment group at 3 months (P>0.05). And the differences in the proportion of PSA50 (98.1% vs 91.4%), PSA90 (92.9% vs 84.6%) and the proportion of decrease in PSA (56.7% vs 33.8%) in the treatment group were found compared to those in the control group after 6 months of tre atment. After 12 months of treatment, the scores of FACT-4 and renal-yang deficiency in the treatment group were (95.28±7.93) and (15.73±5.70) respectively, compared to the scores in the control group (［85.46±10.12］ and ［18.20±4.27］ (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone (［0.60±0.24］ nmol/L vs ［1.09±2.10］ nmol/L) between the two groups (P>0.05). After 24 months of treatment, there were significant differences in in the FACT-4 total score (［97.95±7.54］ vs ［80.33±8.58］), renal-yang deficiency syndrome score (［14.64±5.15］ vs ［24.94±8.75］) between the treatment group and the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ( ［0.73±1.01］ nmol/L vs ［0.59±0.25］ nmol/L) between the two groups (P> 0.05). Better therapeutic results were showed in the treatment group in terms of total FACT-P score, physical situation score, social and family situation score, emotional state score, functional state score, additional score and renal-yang deficiency symptom score (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no serious adverse reaction in the course of treatment, and no obvious abnormality was found in the liver and kidney function of the patients from two groups. CONCLUSION Endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills is safe and effective in HSPC and can reduce the risk of death in HSPC patients, and the earlier the intervention, the longer the overall survival of the patients. In addition, this treatment regimen can increase the PSA response rate, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the renal-yang deficiency syndrome score without the risk of elevating serum testosterone levels.
Humans ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of H ₂S against lipid peroxidation-mediated carbonyl stress in the uranium-treated NRK-52E cells. METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Reagent kits were used to detect carbonyl stress markers malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and protein carbonylation. Aldehyde-protein adduct formation and alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, aldo-keto reductase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression were determined using western blotting or real-time PCR. Sulforaphane (SFP) was used to activate Nrf2. RNA interference was used to inhibit CBS expression. RESULTS: GYY4137 (an H ₂S donor) pretreatment significantly reversed the uranium-induced increase in carbonyl stress markers and aldehyde-protein adducts. GYY4137 effectively restored the uranium-decreased Nrf2 expression, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2, accompanied by a reversal of the uranium-decreased expression of CBS and aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. The application of CBS siRNA efficiently abrogated the SFP-enhanced effects on the expression of CBS, Nrf2 activation, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2 and concomitantly reversed the SFP-enhanced effects of the uranium-induced mRNA expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. Simultaneously, CBS siRNA reversed the SFP-mediated alleviation of the uranium-induced increase in reactive aldehyde levels, apoptosis rates, and uranium-induced cell viability. CONCLUSION H ₂S induces Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation, which modulates the expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes and the CBS/H ₂S axis. Simultaneously, the Nrf2-controlled CBS/H ₂S axis may at least partially promote Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation. These events form a cycle-regulating mode through which H ₂S attenuates the carbonyl stress-mediated NRK-52E cytotoxicity triggered by uranium.
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Animals ; Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects* ; Cell Line ; Uranium/toxicity* ; Antioxidant Response Elements ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

Objective To analyze the predictive value of the serum amyloid A/C-reactive protein ratio(SAA/CRP),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and chitinase-40(YKL-40)combined with conventional influencing factors for the prognosis of children with refractory mycoplasmal pneumonia(RMPP).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 180 children with RMPP admitted to the First People's Hospital of Nanyang from January to December 2023,serving as study group,and 90 children with general mycoplasmal pneumonia(GMPP)as control group.The clinical data of the two groups,including age,gender,and serum levels of SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40,were compared.On the day of admission,the disease severity of the children in study group was assessed and divided into mild(n=102)and severe(n=78)groups.After treatment,they were further categorized into poor prognosis(n=52)and good prognosis(n=128)groups based on the occurrence of adverse events.The levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 were compared between mild-case and severe-case children in study group,as well as between children with good and poor prognosis.A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for poor prognosis in children with RMPP.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 for the prognosis of children with RMPP.Conventional influencing factors[disease severity,oxygen therapy duration,pneumonia severity index(PSI)score,and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score]were used as the conventional prediction scheme,and the conventional prediction scheme combined with the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 was used as the new prediction scheme.The predictive values of the two prediction schemes for the prognosis of children with RMPP were compared.Results The levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 in study group were higher than those in control group(P＜0.05),and the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 in children with severe RMPP were higher than those in children with mild RMPP(P＜0.05).In study group,the proportion of children with pleural effusion,the proportion of severe-case disease severity,oxygen therapy duration,PSI score,APACHE Ⅱ score,and the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 in children with poor prognosis were higher than those in children with good prognosis(P＜0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that disease severity,oxygen therapy duration,PSI score,APACHE Ⅱ score,and the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 were all factors affecting poor prognosis in children with RMPP(P＜0.05).The areas under the curves(AUCs)of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 for predicting the prognosis of children with RMPP were 0.756,0.749,and 0.734,respectively.The AUC of the new prediction scheme was 0.945,which was significantly higher than that of the conventional prediction scheme(AUC=0.859),with a statistically significant difference(P=0.011).Conclusion Serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 levels combined with the conventional prediction scheme have a high predictive efficacy for the prognosis of children with RMPP.

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of tilianin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The content of nitric oxide (NO) was assayed by Griess reagent method. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe. The protein levels of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88), nuclear factors κB p65 (NF-κB p65), phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), nuclear factor κB inhibitory protein α (IκBα) and phosphorylation nuclear factor κB inhibitory protein α (p-IκBα) were detected by Western blot. The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18 and pro-caspase-1 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. The effect of tilianin on the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signaling pathway was further validated by using the TLR4 signaling inhibitor restatorvid (TAK242). The results showed that tilianin significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells and decreased the content of intracellular ROS. Tilianin reduced the levels of TLR4, Myd88, p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα protein and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Tilianin could reduce the protein levels of NLRP3, pro-IL-1β, pro-IL-18 and pro-caspase-1. Tilianin significantly inhibited the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β. The above research results indicated that tilianin could significantly alleviate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells and its mechanism might be related to downregulate the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome.

ObjectiveTo present the exploration and application of a prospective follow-up research method for acute infectious disease surveillance based on natural community populations， using COVID-19 infection as an example， and to provide a reference for improving the infectious disease surveillance and early warning system. MethodsA multi-stage probability proportional sampling method was employed to sample residents from all communities of 16 administrative districts in Shanghai， with households as the units. A cohort for acute infectious diseases based on natural community populations was established. The baseline survey was conducted for all cohort subjects， and COVID-19 antigen test kits were distributed. From December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， prospective follow-up monitoring of COVID-19 antigen and nucleic acid was carried out on the study subjects on a weekly basis. The baseline characteristics and follow-up information of the cohort subjects were described. ResultsThe cohort for acute infectious diseases included a total of 12 881 subjects， comprising 6 098 males （47.3%） and 6 783 females （52.7%）. The baseline survey revealed that 35.2% （4 540/12 881） of the subjects had a history of COVID-19 infection. During the follow-up period from December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， the average incidence density in the cohort was 0.61/person-year， with a higher incidence density in females （0.63/person-year） compared to males （0.59/person-year）. Individuals aged 60 and above （0.64/person-year） and those with underlying health conditions （0.67/person-year） had a higher incidence density. Healthcare workers showed a notably higher incidence density （0.84/person-year） than that in other occupational groups. As of September 30， 2023， a total of 340 subjects in the cohort experienced secondary infections， with a median interval of 170 days between the first and second infections. ConclusionThis study applies cohort study method to acute infectious disease surveillance， providing crucial data support for estimating infection rates and forecasting alerts for acute infectious diseases in the community. This method can be promoted and applied as a new approach for acute infectious disease surveillance.

Aim To study the effect of salidroside combined with rosavin on ischemic stroke in rats.Methods The model of MCAO was established by u-sing thread-embolic method.The rats were divided into the sham group,MCAO group,salidroside combined with rosavin group,positive control group,and the drug was given continuously for seven days.The infarct volume was measured by MRI and neurological deficit score was evaluated by Zea-Longa.The levels of Ne-uN,BDNF,TGF-β1,p-Smad were observed by West-ern blot and immunofluorescence staining.The expres-sions of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 were performed by RT-qPCR/ELISA.The primary cortical neurons were isolated,OGD/R inducted,divided into the normal group,OGD/R group,salidroside combined with rosa-vin group,and TGF-β1 inhibitor+salidroside com-bined with rosavin group,the drug was given for 24 hours,and the expressions of NeuN,BDNF,IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 were measured.Results Salidroside combined with rosavin could decrease the infarct vol-ume,improve the neurological function,promote the levels of Neun,BDNF,TGF-β1,p-Smad,and inhibit the expressions of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6.Salidroside combined with rosavin could promote NeuN,BDNF,inhibit IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6 in primary nerve cells in-duced by OGD/R,and these effects were blocked by TGF-β1 inhibitor.Conclusions Salidroside combined with rosavin has neuroprotective effects on MCAO rats,and primary neurons are induced by OGD/R,and these effects are closely related to the TGF-β pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the interaction between miR-9-5p and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor 2(TIMP2)on autophagy and apoptosis in multiple myeloma(MM)cells.Methods Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect expression levels of miR-9-5p and TIMP2 in bone marrow samples of 9 patients with newly diagnosed MM and 9 patients with recurrent MM.The correlation of expression levels between the two were analyzed.U266 cells were divided into the miR-control group,the miR-9-5p group,the pcDNA3.1 group,the pcDNA3.1-TIMP2 group,the miR-9-5p+pcDNA3.1 group,and the miR-9-5p+pcDNA3.1-TIMP2 group.The effects of overexpressed miR-9-5p and TIMP2 on autophagy and apoptosis in U266 cells were detected by flow cytometry,immunofluorescence staining and Western blot experiments.The dual luciferase report experiment verified the interaction between miR-9-5p and TIMP2.Results Compared with newly diagnosed MM patients,the expression level of miR-9-5p was increased and the expression level of TIMP2 was decreased in patients with recurrent MM.The expression levels of miR-9-5p and TIMP2 were negatively correlated(P<0.05).Compared with the miR-control group,the miR-9-5p group showed a decrease in the expression level of MAP1LC3B-Ⅱ,an increase in expression levels of MAP1LC3B-Ⅰ and SQSTM1,and a decrease in cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05).Compared with the pcDNA3.1 group,the expression level of MAP1LC3B-Ⅱ was increased in the pcDNA3.1-TIMP2 group,while the expression levels of MAP1LC3B-Ⅰ and SQSTM1 were decreased,and the apoptosis rate of cells increased(P<0.05).Bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter experiments confirmed that TIMP2 was the target gene of miR-9-5p.Conclusion miR-9-5p inhibits autophagy and apoptosis in MM cells by targeting TIMP2,thereby promoting the occurrence and development of MM.