OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of Euphorbia hirta L.-derived exosome-like nanovesicles（Eh-ENVs） on acetaminophen （APAP）-induced liver injury based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）/NAD（P）H：quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） pathway. METHODS The safety of Eh-ENVs was evaluated by examining their effects on the viability of RAW264.7 and AML12 cells， as well as serum liver and kidney function indicators and histopathology of liver， lung， and other tissues in normal mice. A lipopolysaccharide （1 μg/mL）-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model was constructed to investigate the effects of 10 and 20 μg/mL Eh-ENVs on the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species （ROS） level in model cells， and the uptake efficiency of Eh-ENVs by RAW264.7 cells was also examined. An APAP-induced liver injury mouse model was established to investigate the effects of 4 mg/kg Eh-ENVs on serum liver function indicators， liver histopathology， mRNA expression of inflammatory factors， malondialdehyde （MDA） level， superoxide dismutase （SOD） level， and mRNA and protein expressions related to the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway in liver tissue of model mice. RESULTS In vitro results showed that Eh-ENVs had no inhibitory effect on the proliferation of RAW264.7 and AML12 cells；Eh-ENVs could be efficiently taken up by RAW264.7 cells and significantly reduced the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and ROS level in cells （ P ＜0.05）. In vivo results showed that 4 mg/kg Eh-ENVs had no obvious toxic side effects on normal mice，could significantly decrease the serum alanine transaminase （ALT） and aspartate transaminase （AST） levels in model mice （ P ＜0.05），upregulated/increased the mRNA expressions of IL-10， as well as the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and NQO1， and SOD level in liver tissue （ P ＜0.05）， and down-regulated/decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α， IL-1β and MDA level in liver tissue （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Eh-ENVs may activate the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway to inhibit inflammatory response and alleviate oxidative stress， thereby improving APAP-induced liver injury.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of piceatannol against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) in fatty liver. Methods A mouse model of fatty liver combined with HIRI was established, and experimental animals were assigned into four groups: sham operation group, fatty liver HIRI group, fatty liver HIRI + piceatannol group, and fatty liver HIRI + piceatannol + ML385 group (n=5). Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected in each group. Hepatic tissue injury was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified using the DHE fluorescent probe method, while the expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) was determined via immunohistochemical staining. Western blot was adopted to detect the protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Primary mouse hepatocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro. After treatment with palmitic acid, an hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established. Cellular experiments were divided into control group, steatosis H/R group, steatosis H/R + piceatannol group, and steatosis H/R + piceatannol + ML385 group. Calcein-AM/PI dual staining was used to observe cell viability, C11 BODIPY staining was used to determin lipid peroxidation levels, and DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was utilized to test intracellular ROS levels. Western blot was used to detect the protein abundances of GPX4, ACSL4, HO-1 and Nrf2, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to quantify their corresponding messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels. Results Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of ALT, AST and LDH, liver injury score, DHE positive rate, MDA level and 4-HNE level increased, the levels of GSH and SOD decreased, the relative expression level of ACSL4 protein increased, and the relative expression levels of GPX4, Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins decreased in the fatty liver HIRI group; compared with the fatty liver HIRI group, the levels of ALT, AST and LDH, liver injury score, DHE positive rate, MDA level and 4-HNE level decreased, the levels of GSH and SOD increased, the relative expression level of ACSL4 protein decreased, and the relative expression levels of GPX4, Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins increased in the fatty liver HIRI + piceatannol group; compared with the fatty liver HIRI + piceatannol group, the levels of ALT, AST and LDH, liver injury score, DHE positive rate, MDA level and 4-HNE level increased, the levels of GSH and SOD decreased, the relative expression level of ACSL4 protein increased, and the relative expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins decreased in the fatty liver HIRI + piceatannol + ML385 group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the mean fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and MDA level increased, the levels of GSH and SOD decreased, the proportion of oxidized lipids increased, the protein and mRNA expression levels of ACSL4 increased, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of GPX4, HO-1 and Nrf2 decreased in the steatosis H/R group; compared with the steatosis H/R group, the mean fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and MDA level decreased, the levels of GSH and SOD increased, the proportion of oxidized lipids decreased, the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of ACSL4 decreased, and the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of GPX4, HO-1 and Nrf2 increased in the steatosis H/R + piceatannol group; compared with the steatosis H/R + piceatannol group, the mean fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and MDA level increased, the levels of GSH and SOD decreased, the proportion of oxidized lipids increased, the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of ACSL4 increased, and the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of GPX4, HO-1 and Nrf2 decreased in the steatosis H/R + piceatannol + ML385 group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Piceatannol relieves HIRI in fatty liver by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to suppress ferroptosis in hepatocytes.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether co-activated mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs） exert therapeutic effects against schistosomiasis by modulating macrophage polarization. MethodsTwenty adult male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups： uninfected， infected， MSC-treated， and MSC^TLR4+IFN-γ-treated groups. The Schistosoma japonicum infection model was established via abdominal patch method with cercariae. At week 5 post-infection， praziquantel was administered orally for antiparasitic treatment. At week 6， mice received either MSCs treatments （with or without pre-activation） or no treatment. Body weight changes were monitored weekly. Hepatic pathological alterations were evaluated via HE and Masson staining. RT-qPCR was used to assess α-SMA and collagen （Col-I， Col-Ⅲ） mRNA levels to quantify fibrosis. The mRNA levels of hepatic inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases（MMP） were analyzed to explore fibrotic mechanisms. The expressions of i-Nos and Arg-1 in liver tissues were detected by RT-qPCR， and the ratio of M1 or M2 macrophages was detected by immunofluorescence staining， aiming to analyze the correlation between MSCs treatment and macrophage polarization. An in vitro co-culture system validated direct MSC-macrophage interactions. ResultsCompared with the infected group， the MSC^TLR4+IFN-γ group exhibited increased body weight gain （P< 0.01）， reduced hepatic granulomatous lesion area （P< 0.001）， and decreased α-SMA， Col-I， and Col-Ⅲ mRNA levels （P< 0.01）. Additionally， the MSC^TLR4+IFN-γ group showed reduced TNF-α and IL-1β expression （P< 0.05）， as well as elevated MMP2， Mmp9， and MMP13 levels （P< 0.01）. The MSC^TLR4+IFN-γ group showed higher expression of M2 marker Arg-1 mRNA compared with the infection group （P < 0.001） ， while the expression of M1 marker i-Nos decreased （P< 0.05）. Immunofluorescence confirmed a lower i-Nos+ cell ratio （P< 0.05） and higher F4/80⁺CD206⁺ cell ratio （P< 0.000 1） in the MSC^TLR4+IFN-γ group compared with the infection group. In vitro co-culture experiments further demonstrated that MSC^TLR4+IFN-γ promoted Arg-1 expression， suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine i-Nos and TNF-α levels， consistent with ELISA results. ConclusionsThis study reveals that TLR4 and IFN-γ co-activated MSCs alleviate Schistosoma japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis， potentially through modulating macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. This mechanism may suppress inflammation and enhance extracellular matrix degradation， providing a therapeutic strategy for schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis.

Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) is an extremely poisonous plant that is widely distributed in southern China and southeastern Asia. G. elegans poisoning events occur frequently in southern China, and are therefore an urgent public health problem requiring multidisciplinary action. However, the toxic components and toxicological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we describe a systematic investigation on the toxic components of G. elegans, resulting in the isolation and identification of 120 alkaloids. Based on acute toxicity screening, the structure-toxicity relationship of Gelsemium alkaloids was proposed for the first time. Moreover, gelsedine- and humantenine-type alkaloids were detected in the clinical blood sample, and were confirmed to be causative in the poisoning. The most toxic compound, gelsenicine (1), had selective inhibitory effects toward ventral respiratory group (VRG) neurons in the medulla, which is the main brain region controlling respiration in the central nervous system. Gelsenicine (1) strongly inhibited the firing of action potentials in VRG neurons through its ability to stimulate GABA_A receptors, the main receptors involved in inhibitory neurotransmission. Application of GABA_A receptor antagonists successively reversed action potential firing in gelsenicine (1)-treated VRG neurons. Importantly, the GABA_A receptor antagonists securinine and flumazenil significantly increased the survival of poisoned animals. Our findings provide insight into the components and mechanisms of G. elegans toxicity, and should assist the development of effective emergency treatments for G. elegans poisoning.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

CD47 is an immune checkpoint widely regarded as a 'don't eat me' signal. CD47-based anti-cancer therapy has received considerable attention, with a significant number of clinical trials conducted. While anti-cancer therapies based on CD47 remain a focal point of interest among researchers, it is noteworthy that an increasing number of studies have found that CD47-based therapy ameliorated the pathological status of non-cancer diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent progress in comprehending the role of CD47-based therapy in non-cancer diseases, including diseases of the circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system, and so on. Furthermore, we sought to delineate the promising mechanisms of CD47-based therapy in treating non-cancer diseases. Our findings suggest that CD47-based agents may exert their effect by regulating phagocytosis, regulating T cells, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, and regulating the secretion of cytokines and chemokines. Additionally, we put forward the orientation of further research to bring to light the potential of CD47 and its binding partners as a target in non-cancer diseases.

Objective:To investigate the method and clinical efficacy of simultaneous correction of sunken upper eyelid during double eyelid plasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with single eyelids and sunken upper eyelid treated at the Department of Plastic Surgery, the First People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, from October 2022 to February 2024. All patients underwent incisional double eyelid plasty with individualized correction based on depression severity. For mild depression, a combination of pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle flap folding and orbital septum fat flap transposition was performed for correction. For moderate depression, additional autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF)-gel grafting would be performed if residual depression persisted after the aforementioned approach. For severe depression, if the orbital fat was sufficient, the orbicularis oculi muscle flap folding, orbital fat flap repositioning and autologous SVF-gel transplantation were used. If there was insufficient orbital fat, the correction involved the use of a orbicularis oculi muscle flap and SVF-gel transplantation. Postoperative follow-up was conducted regularly, and related complications were statistically analyzed. Six months after the surgery, two blinded plastic surgeons evaluated outcomes via visual analog scale (VAS), including five aspects: symmetry of palpebral folds(including width and curvature of the double eyelid fold), fold contour, depression improvement, scar quality, overall eyelid aesthetics. Each aspect was rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. Patient satisfaction was scored separately (1-5 per item), with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.Results:A total of 64 patients were enrolled, including 4 males and 60 females; the age ranged from 19 to 66 years[ (32.0±9.7) years]. The degree of sunken upper eyelid was mild in 33 cases, moderate in 19 cases and severe in 12 cases. All patients underwent double eyelid plasty and orbicularis oculi flap folding. Based on this, 45 cases (33 mild and 12 moderate cases) underwent orbital septum fat flap transposition, 11 severe cases underwent SVF-gel grafting, and 8 cases (7 moderate and 1 severe cases) required combined approaches to correct depression. During the procedure, 19 cases (38 sides) received (1.8±0.8) ml of SVF-gel injection. Among these cases, one case with severe sunken upper eyelid who did not receive orbital fat transfer was injected with high density fat (left side: 0.6 ml, right side: 0.8 ml) due to insufficient SVF-gel volume. Two cases with severe sunken upper eyelid who only had autologous SVF-gel transplantation did not fully correct the depression within 3 months post-surgery received a second SVF-gel injection[(1.0±0.1) ml]. Follow-up was conducted for 6 to 12 months after surgery. All patients experienced varying degrees of eyelid edema, which typically lasted 2 to 3 months. Ecchymosis (34 sides), conjunctival congestion (3 sides), and temporary ptosis (5 sides) all resolved within 2 weeks. Pigmentation (14 sides) and scar hyperplasia (3 sides) disappeared or stabilized within 6 months. No patients developed complications such as incision infection, hematoma, fat liquefaction, local skin unevenness, or induration. The surgeons’ VAS scores of the above five indicators were all > 8 points, and the satisfaction scores of patients for the five indicators were all > 4 points. In both scoring, the improvement of sunken upper eyelid scored the highest, which were (9.2 ± 0.9) points and (4.8 ± 0.6) points respectively.Conclusion:For patients with single eyelids and varying degrees of sunken upper eyelid, performing double eyelid plasty and orbicularis oculi muscle flap folding, individualized correction is achieved through autologous fat redistribution techniques, based on the severity of the sunken upper eyelid and the amount of orbital fat. This single procedure can restore upper eyelid volume and rejuvenate the appearance, resulting in a natural and aesthetically pleasing double eyelid with minimal complications and high patient satisfaction.