OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Xiangshao Granules (XSG) on post-stroke depression (PSD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Forty-three C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups: sham (n=15), PSD+vehicle (n=14), and PSD+XSG (n=14) groups according to a random number table. The PSD models were constructed using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The sham group only experienced the same surgical operation, but without MACO and CUMS stimulation. The XSG group received XSG (60 mg/kg per day) by gavage for 4 weeks. The mice in the sham and vehicle groups were given the same volume of 0.9% saline at the same time. The body weight and behavior tests including open field test, sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, and elevated plus-maze test, were used to validate the PSD mouse model. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of XSG. The potential molecular mechanisms were explored and verified through network pharmacology analysis, Nissl staining, Western blot, ELISA, and RT-qPCR, respectively. RESULTS: The body weight and behavior tests showed that MCAO combined with CUMS successfully established the PSD models. XSG alleviated neuronal damage, reduced the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2)-associated X (BAX), and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). XSG inhibited microglial activation and the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1 β, and IL-6 via the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, XSG decreased the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 (IDO1) and increased the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION XSG could reverse the anxiety/depressionlike behaviors and reduce the neuronal injury in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of PSD mice, which may be a potential therapeutic agent for PSD.
Animals ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism* ; Depression/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Prefrontal Cortex/pathology* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: Baicalein has been reported to have wide therapeutic effects that act through its anti-inflammatory activity. This study examines the effect and mechanism of baicalein on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC). METHODS: A thorough screening of a small library of natural products, comprising 100 diverse compounds, was conducted to identify the most effective drug against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The core target proteins and their associated signaling pathways involved in baicalein's efficacy against LPS-induced myocardial injury were predicted by network pharmacology. RESULTS: Baicalein was identified as the most potent protective agent in LPS-exposed H9C2 cardiomyocytes. It exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell injury and inflammation. In the LPS-induced septic mouse model, baicalein demonstrated a significant capacity to mitigate LPS-triggered myocardial deficits, inflammatory responses, and ferroptosis. Network pharmacological analysis and experimental confirmation suggested that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit α (HIF1-α) is likely to be the crucial factor in mediating the impact of baicalein against LPS-induced myocardial ferroptosis and injury. By combining microRNA (miRNA) screening in LPS-treated myocardium with miRNA prediction targeting HIF1-α, we found that miR-299b-5p may serve as a regulator of HIF1-α. The reduction in miR-299b-5p levels in LPS-treated myocardium, compared to the control group, was reversed by baicalein treatment. The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and dual-luciferase reporter gene analyses together identified HIF1-α as the target of miR-299b-5p in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION Baicalein mitigates SIC at the miRNA level, suggesting the therapeutic potential of it in treating SIC through the regulation of miR-299b-5p/HIF1-α/ferroptosis pathway. Please cite this article as: Zhou WY, Du JK, Liu HH, Deng L, Ma K, Xiao J, Zhang S, Wang CN. Baicalein attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via miR-299b-5p/HIF1-α pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):560-575.
Flavanones/pharmacology* ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Mice ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cardiomyopathies/etiology* ; Cell Line ; Sepsis/complications*

Objective: To understand the current status of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students, so as to provide references for exploring the "comorbidity-common cause-common prevention" model for these conditions. Methods: In September 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted to select 88 594 students from junior high schools, regular high schools, and vocational high schools in 12 leagues/cities (covering 103 banners/counties) of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Physical examinations were conducted to collect data on malnutrition, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. The Chi-square test and multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis were employed to analyze the related factors of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence. Results: In 2023, the detection rates of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students in Inner Mongolia were 4.60%, 21.85%, and 0.90%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of malnutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students of different genders, monitoring sites (except for malnutrition), and school stages ( χ 2=4.95-817.39, all P <0.05). The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that high school students，drink sugar sweetened beverages ≥1 time per day and those with Internet addiction had higher risk of coexisting malnutrition and depressive symptoms [ OR (95% CI )=1.38 (1.04-1.83), 1.46 (1.20-1.78), 2.28 (1.90-2.74), respectively, all P <0.05 ]. The risk of coexistence was lower among female students, those who ate fresh fruits at least once a day, those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ≥1 time/day, those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for ≥1 hour/day on ≥5 days/week, those who did not use cough syrup without therapeutic need, those who did not use sedative hypnotic drugs without medical advice, and non-drinking students [ OR (95% CI )=0.84 (0.73-0.98), 0.77 (0.66-0.89), 0.82 (0.68-0.98), 0.66 (0.53- 0.80 ), 0.57 (0.41-0.78), 0.63 (0.53-0.72), respectively, all P <0.05]. Conclusions The occurrence of undernutrition, depressive symptoms, and their coexistence among middle school students in Inner Mongolia can t be ignored. Schools, the government and society should implement a strategy aimed at concurrent prevention of multiple conditions through comprehensive interventions.

Process analytical technology(PAT) is a key means for digital transformation and upgrading of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) manufacturing process, serving as an important guarantee for consistent and controllable TCM product quality. Near-infrared(NIR) spectroscopy has become the core technology for measuring the TCM manufacturing process. By incorporating NIR spectroscopy into PAT and starting from the construction of a smart platform for the TCM manufacturing process, this paper systematically described the development history and innovative application of the combination of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in measuring the TCM manufacturing process by the research team over the past two decades. Additionally, it explored the application of a validation method based on accuracy profile(AP) in the practice of NIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the software development progress driven by NIR spectroscopy supported by modeling technology was analyzed, and the prospect of integrating NIR spectroscopy in smart factory control platforms was exemplified with the construction practices of related platforms. By integrating with the smart platform, NIR spectroscopy could improve production efficiency and guarantee product quality. Finally, the prospect of the smart platform application in measuring the TCM manufacturing process was projected. It is believed that the software development for NIR spectroscopy and the smart manufacturing platform will provide strong technical support for TCM digitalization and industrialization.
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Software ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control

This study investigated the protective effect of arbutin(Arb) in yam on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI) in a mouse model and revealed its possible mechanism of action by metabolomics technology, providing a theoretical basis for clinical treatment of ALI. SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, resveratrol(Rv)-positive control group, Arb low-dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) group, and Arb high-dose(30 mg·kg~(-1)) group. The LPS-induced ALI model was established in all groups except the normal control group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, TUNEL staining, and WBP whole-body non-invasive pulmonary function testing were used to evaluate the degree of lung tissue damage and lung function changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the level of inflammatory factors in lung tissue. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the M1/M2 polarization status of macrophages in lung tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of the TLR4 signaling pathway and related apoptotic proteins. Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer(LC-MS) metabolomics was used to analyze the changes in serum metabolic profile after Arb intervention. The results showed that Arb pretreatment significantly alleviated LPS-induced lung tissue injury, improved lung function, reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors(IL-6, TNF-α, IL-18, and IL-1β), and regulated the polarization status of M1/M2 macrophages. In addition, Arb inhibited the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway, reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9, up-regulated the level of Bcl-2 protein, and inhibited apoptosis of lung cells. Metabolomic analysis showed that Arb significantly improved LPS-induced metabolic abnormalities, mainly involving key pathways such as galactose metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and lipid metabolism. In summary, Arb can significantly reduce LPS-induced ALI by regulating the release of inflammatory factors, inhibiting the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway, improving metabolic disorders, and regulating macrophage polarization, indicating that Arb has potential clinical application value.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Arbutin/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Protective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

Parameters of peripheral blood cell have been shown as the potential predictors of erectile dysfunction (ED). To investigate the clinical significance of hematological parameters for predicting the risk of rapid ejaculation, we established a rat copulatory model on the basis of ejaculation distribution theory. Blood samples from different ejaculatory groups were collected for peripheral blood cell counts and serum serotonin (5-HT) tests. Meanwhile, the relationship between hematological parameters and ejaculatory behaviors was assessed. Final analysis included 11 rapid ejaculators, 10 normal ejaculators, and 10 sluggish ejaculators whose complete data were available. The platelet (PLT) count in rapid ejaculators was significantly lower than that in normal and sluggish ejaculators, whereas the platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were significantly greater in rapid ejaculators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the PLT was an independent protective factor for rapid ejaculation. Meanwhile, rapid ejaculators were found to have the lowest serum 5-HT compared to normal and sluggish ejaculators ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the PLT and serum 5-HT ( r = 0.662, P < 0.001), indicating that the PLT could indirectly reflect the serum 5-HT concentration. In addition, we assessed the association between the PLT and ejaculatory parameters. There was a negative correlation between ejaculation frequency (EF) and the PLT ( r = -0.595, P < 0.001), whereas there was a positive correlation between ejaculation latency (EL) and the PLT ( r = 0.740, P < 0.001). This study indicated that the PLT might be a useful and convenient diagnostic marker for predicting the risk of rapid ejaculation.
Male ; Animals ; Ejaculation/physiology* ; Rats ; Platelet Count ; Pilot Projects ; Serotonin/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; ROC Curve ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology*

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex disease that is often accompanied by mental health disorders. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous clinical presentation of CP/CPPS remain uncertain. This study analyzed widely targeted metabolomic data of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and plasma to reveal the underlying pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS. A total of 24 CP/CPPS patients from The Second Nanning People's Hospital (Nanning, China), and 35 asymptomatic control individuals from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Nanning, China) were enrolled. The indicators related to CP/CPPS and psychiatric symptoms were recorded. Differential analysis, coexpression network analysis, and correlation analysis were performed to identify metabolites that were specifically altered in patients and associated with various phenotypes of CP/CPPS. The crucial links between EPS and plasma were further investigated. The metabolomic data of EPS from CP/CPPS patients were significantly different from those from control individuals. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the citrate cycle in EPS. The tryptophan metabolic pathway was found to be the most significantly altered pathway associated with distinct CP/CPPS phenotypes. Moreover, the dysregulation of tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism and elevation of oxidative stress-related metabolites in plasma were found to effectively elucidate the development of depression in CP/CPPS. Overall, metabolomic alterations in the EPS and plasma of patients were primarily associated with oxidative damage, energy metabolism abnormalities, neurological impairment, and immune dysregulation. These alterations may be associated with chronic pain, voiding symptoms, reduced fertility, and depression in CP/CPPS. This study provides a local-global perspective for understanding the pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS and offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Adult ; Pelvic Pain/blood* ; Metabolomics ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Chronic Pain/blood* ; Metabolome ; Case-Control Studies ; Tryptophan/blood* ; Depression/blood* ; Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Chronic Disease ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology*

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intrasaccular flow disruptor in intracranial aneurysms, including wide-necked aneurysms.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 102 patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with intrasaccular flow disruptor at Department of Neurointervention, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2022 to November 2024 were enrolled; their clinical and imaging data were collected. The aneurysm characteristics and perioperative complications were summarized; aneurysm occlusion was evaluated by Woven EndoBridge occlusion scale (WOS) immediately after surgery and during the follow-up period.Results:Among the 102 aneurysms, 33 were anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 40 were middle cerebral artery aneurysms, 17 were internal carotid artery aneurysms and 12 were basilar artery aneurysms; 73 aneurysms were regular intracranial saccular aneurysms and 29 were irregular saccular ones (17 of them with daughter sacs); 12 aneurysms were ruptured at acute phase. The surgical success rate was 100%: single intrasaccular flow disruptor was implanted into 95 patients, and stent-assisted or salvage treatments were given to 7 patients). Immediately after surgery, WOS grading A was noted in 5 patients, grading B in 7, grading C in 31, and grading D in 59. Two patients suffered severe perioperative complications and passed away: one patient died for ischemic complications that ensued after stent salvage treatment (parent artery being compressed by intrasaccular flow disruptor); the other patient died for hemorrhagic complications triggered by rupture of an initially unruptured aneurysm following intrasaccular flow disruptor implantation. Among them, 52 patients completed postoperative DSA follow-up, with a median follow-up of 205 (168, 292) days; WOS grading A was noted in 31 patients, grading B in 9, grading C in 8, and grading D in 4 at the last follow-up; the full occlusion rate was 92.3%, and no ischemic or hemorrhagic adverse events occurred.Conclusion:Intrasaccular flow disruptor shows high short-term safety and good efficacy in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrasaccular flow disruptor in wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.Methods:One hundred and seventeen patients with wide-necked intracranial aneurysms treated with intrasaccular flow disruptor were collected from Department of Neurointervention (First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Department of Neurosurgery (Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University), Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center (Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University), and Department of Neurosurgery (First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University) from August 2022 to March 2024. Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) was employed to evaluate aneurysm embolization immediately after procedure; cranial CT or MRI within 48 hours of embolization were performed to identify any new intracranial hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or new symptomatic cerebral infarction related to the intracranial aneurysms. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to assess the neurological function at discharge. Imaging follow-up and outpatient follow-up were performed at 6 months after embolization to evaluate the aneurysm occlusion degree and complications.Results:A total of 117 intrasaccular flow disruptors were implanted in 117 patients, with a technical success rate of 100%; 115 patients (98.3%) enjoyed successful one-time release of their disruptors, and 2 patients (1.7%) required retrieval and redirection of the disruptors before second successful attempt. Flow disruptor plus stent was performed in 13 patients (11.1%). Immediately after procedure, RROC grading I was noted in 3 patients, grading II in 51 patients and grading III in 63 patients. Cranial CT or MRI within 48 hours of embolization indicated no new intracranial hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or symptomatic cerebral infarction related to the intracranial aneurysms. All patients had mRS score of 0 at discharge. Eighty-three patients completed a 6-month follow-up (RROC grading I in 41 patients, grading II in 33 patients and grading III in 9 patients), without ischemic or hemorrhagic adverse events.Conclusion:The results of this study preliminarily suggest that intrasaccular flow disruptor is effective and safe in wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coil embolization in patients with middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; the clinical data of 46 patients with middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms accepted Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coil embolization in First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University and First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2022 to March 2024 were collected. There were 28 ruptured aneurysms (60.87%) and 18 unruptured aneurysms (39.13%). Follow-up was performed for more than 3 months; Raymond-Roy grading was used to evaluate the aneurysm embolization immediately after embolization and during follow-up; perioperative hemorrhagic or ischemic complications were recorded; modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients at discharge and during follow-up (mRS score≤2: good prognosis, and mRS score>2: poor prognosis).Results:Coil embolization was successful in all 46 patients. DSA immediately after embolization showed that 41 patients (89.13%) had completely occluded aneurysms (Raymond-Roy grading I), 2 patients (4.35%) had residual aneurysm neck (Raymond-Roy grading Ⅱ) and 3 patients (6.52%) had partially occluded aneurysms (Raymond-Roy grading Ⅲ). Perioperative complications occurred in 5 patients, including 2 with postoperative cerebral infarction, 1 with hydrocephalus, 1 with postoperative pneumonia leading to respiratory failure, and 1 with stent thrombosis during embolization. Both at discharge and 3 months after embolization, 43 patients (93.48%) had good prognosis and 3 patients (6.52%) had poor prognosis. No obvious ischemic complications (such as stent restenosis) or hemorrhagic complications (such as re-rupture of the aneurysms) were found in all patients. Thirty patients (65.22%) had imaging follow-up for 6-12 months: 26 (86.67%) had Raymond-Roy grading I, 3 (10.00%) had Raymond-Roy grading II, and 1 (3.33%) had Raymond-Roy grading III.Conclusion:Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coil embolization has good short-term efficacy and high safety in middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms, but long-term follow-up observation is still needed to verify its efficacy.