This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix on cytokine storm secondary lung injury(CSSLI) induced by CpG1826 in mice, and to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms by which its major active components, i.e., coptisine and wogonin, alleviate CSSLI by inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome pyroptosis pathway. In vivo, a mouse model of CSSLI was established by CpG1826 induction. Pulmonary edema was assessed by lung wet-to-dry weight ratio(W/D), lung injury was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1), IL-18, and IL-1α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that the decoction of the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix significantly reduced pulmonary edema, alleviated lung injury, and decreased the concentrations of related cytokines in BALF more effectively than either single herb alone, thereby improving CSSLI. In vitro, a CpG1826-induced CSSLI model was established in mouse alveolar macrophage MH-S cells. Calcein-AM quenching was used to screen for the most effective monomer components from the herb pair in inhibiting mPTP opening. Coptisine(5, 10, 20 μmol·L~(-1)) and wogonin(10, 20, 40 μmol·L~(-1)) markedly inhibited mPTP opening, with optimal effects and a clear dose-dependent pattern. These components suppressed mPTP opening, thereby reducing the release of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS), effectively reversing the CpG1826-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP). Further studies revealed that both coptisine and wogonin inhibited pyroptosis and downregulated the expression of key proteins in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD) pathway. In conclusion, the Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix improves CpG1826-induced CSSLI in mice, and this effect is associated with the inhibition of the mPTP/NLRP3 pyroptosis pathway, providing scientific evidence for its clinical application and further development.
Animals ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Male ; Lung Injury/immunology* ; Cytokines/immunology* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Coptis chinensis

PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss. METHODS: This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA⁺ and K⁺ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca²⁺ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group. CONCLUSIONS Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals ; Perfusion/methods* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Brain Injuries/etiology* ; Swine ; Male ; Hypothermia, Induced/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged

Ketamine,an antagonist of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptor,is cur-rently one of the most widely abused psychoactive substances.Prolonged abuse can result in damages to various systems in the body,making it crucial to investigate the regulatory mechanism of ketamine addic-tion and screening related biomarkers.In this study,zebrafish embryos/larvae were initially exposed a-cutely to ketamine.Then,a ketamine addiction model was established in 6-month-old zebrafish through conditioned place preference(CPP)experiments.The zebrafish brain transcriptome was analyzed using RNA-seq,while qPCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression of key genes.Results revealed significant reductions in the spontaneous tail coiling,embryo hatching rate,and survival rate of zebrafish embryos in the ketamine-treated group compared to the control group.The distance moved also decreased significantly,from 1904.2 mm in the control group to 319.0 mm in the high dose of ketamine group(300 μmol/L).Conditional positional preference experiments demonstrated that the control ze-brafish did not exhibit significant changes in activity in the CPP tank.In contrast,the ketamine-treated group increased their activity time in the light zone of the tank from 385.2 s before training to 706.4 s af-ter training,representing a 26.8％increase(***P＜0.001).This suggests a preference for ketamine stimulation in zebrafish.KEGG analysis indicated enrichment of differentially expressed genes in the neu-roactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway in the ketamine-treated samples.GSEA analysis further re-veals a significant upregulation of the glutamatergic synapse pathway(NES=1.5).In addition,compared with the control group,the mRNA levels of Grin2b and Gria2 in the ketamine group increased by 4.6 and 1.4 times,respectively,while the protein levels increased by 2.0 and 1.4 times,respectively.These findings suggest that ketamine can induce addiction in zebrafish,potentially through upregulation of the glutamatergic synaptic pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the combination of Scutellaria barbata D. Don and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R.J. Wang (SB-SD) being a recognized Chinese medicinal herbal pair that is commonly used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, there is a poor understanding of their pharmacological mechanisms. This study examines the antitumor properties and potential mechanisms of SB-SD on human ovarian cancer A2780 cells through a multi-omics approach, establishing a pharmacological basis for clinical utilization. METHODS: A range of mass ratios and reagents were used in the hot reflux extraction of SB-SD. The inhibitory effect of the SB-SD extracts on A2780 cell proliferation was assessed using the cell-counting kit 8 assay. A zebrafish tumor implantation model was used to evaluate the effects of SB-SD extracts on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Transcriptomics and proteomics were used to investigate alterations in biological pathways in A2780 cells after treatment with different concentrations of SB-SD extract. Cell cycle, cell apoptosis, intracellular free iron concentration, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were utilized to investigate the effects of heme catabolism and ferritinophagy on ferroptosis induced by SB-SD extract in A2780 cells. RESULTS: The 70% ethanol extract of SB-SD (a mass ratio of 4:1) inhibited A2780 cell proliferation significantly with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 660 μg/mL in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, it effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in a zebrafish tumor implantation model. SB-SD extract induced the accumulation of free iron, ROS, MDA, and mitochondrial damage in A2780 cells. The mechanisms might involve the upregulated expression of ferritinophagy-related genes microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, autophagy-related gene 5, and nuclear receptor coactivator 4. CONCLUSION SB-SD extract effectively inhibited the development of ovarian cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Its mechanism of action involved inducing ferroptosis by facilitating heme catabolism and ferritinophagy. This herbal pair holds promise as a potential therapeutic option for ovarian cancer treatment and may be utilized in combination with routine treatment to improve the treatment outcomes of ovarian cancer patients. Please cite this article as: Wang Z, Liu M, Li GX, Zhang L, Ding KY, Li SQ, Gao BQ, Chen P, Choe HC, Xia LY, Yang YT, Liu Y, Sui X, Ma JN, Zhang L. A herbal pair of Scutellaria barbata D. Don and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R.J. Wang induced ferroptosis in ovarian cancer A2780 cells via inducing heme catabolism and ferritinophagy. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 666-683.
Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Female ; Humans ; Animals ; Scutellaria/chemistry* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics* ; Zebrafish ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Ferritins/genetics* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Heme/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

BACKGROUND: Ventricular remodeling after acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AAMI) is an important factor in occurrence of heart failure which additionally results in poor prognosis. Therefore, the treatment of ventricular remodeling needs to be further optimized. Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a protective effect on microcirculatory disturbance caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after AAMI on a larger scale. METHODS: This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The total of 268 patients with AAMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the CDDP group (n=134) and control group (n=134) with a follow-up of 48 weeks. Both groups will be treated with standard therapy of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with the CDDP group administrating 20 tablets of CDDP before pPCI and 10 tablets 3 times daily after pPCI, and the control group treated with a placebo simultaneously. The primary endpoint is 48-week echocardiographic outcomes including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). The secondary endpoint includes the change in N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular events (death, cardiac arrest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rehospitalization due to heart failure or angina pectoris, deterioration of cardiac function, and stroke). Investigators and patients are both blinded to the allocated treatment. DISCUSSION This prospective study will investigate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in patients undergoing pPCI for a first AAMI. Patients in the CDDP group will be compared with those in the control group. If certified to be effective, CDDP treatment in AAMI will probably be advised on a larger scale. (Trial registration No. NCT05000411).
Humans ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/therapy* ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Prospective Studies ; Microcirculation ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects* ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Multicenter Studies as Topic

Objective To explore hemodynamics of the aortic arch and supraarch vessels after thoracic endovascular aortic repair with fenestration and parallel grafts techniques, and compare the differences of these techniques. Methods Four patients with aortic arch lesions whose supraarch vessels were reconstructed by different surgical techniques (fenestration, chimney and periscope) were studied, and three-dimensional (3D) geometric models were established based on postoperative image data. The physiological flow obtained from two dimensional (2D) phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging were imposed on the ascending aorta inlet and the supraarch vessels outlets. The pressure waveform of 3-element Windkessel model was imposed on the descending aorta outlet. Through computational fluid dynamics ( CFD ) simulations, the hemodynamic parameters were obtained, including the pressure of supraarch vessels, the velocity vector of the stent inlet, and the relative residence time. Results The pressure change of the periscope stent was the largest, followed by the fenestration stent, and the pressure change of the chimney stent was the smallest. The velocity of the fenestration and periscope stent inlet was uneven, which might form vortex. The velocity of the chimney stent inlet was even. The high relative residence time concentrated in distal end of the fenestration stent outer wall, the ‘gutter’ part, and the place where the chimney and periscope stent adhered to the vessel wall. Conclusions The pressure difference between the inner and outer walls of the fenestration and periscope stent was high, so it was recommended to use the balloon-expandable stent. The pressure difference between the inner and outer walls of the chimney stent was low, so it was recommended to use the self-expanding stent. The predicted location of thrombosis was consistent with the clinical follow-up data, so it may be used for surgical planning and risk assessment of interventional treatment of aortic arch lesions.

Objective:To investigate risk factors for decompressive craniectomy (DC) after endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients underwent EVT due to acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in Liaocheng Brain Hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively included. They were divided into DC group and non-DC group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors for DC after EVT. Results:A total of 207 patients were enrolled, 126 were male (60.87%), and their age was 66.22±11.24 years old. The baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 19.84±9.20, and the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) was 7.98±0.66. The immediate postoperative modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) blood flow grade in seven patients (5.80%) was ≤2a, 30 (14.49%) experienced hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after procedure, and 28 (13.5%) received DC. There were statistically significant differences between the DC group and the non-DC group in terms of past stroke history, preoperative NIHSS score and ASPECTS, vascular occlusion site, EVT time, immediate postoperative mTICI ≤2a, and HT (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [ OR] 3.202, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.335-9.796; P=0.011), previous stroke history ( OR 2.655, 95% CI 1.016-6.938; P=0.046), high preoperative NIHSS score ( OR 1.074, 95% CI 1.026-1.124; P=0.002), internal carotid artery occlusion ( OR 4.268, 95% CI 1.399-13.024; P=0.011), longer EVT time ( OR 1.010, 95% CI 1.003-1.016; P=0.003), mTICI grade ≤2a ( OR 5.342, 95% CI 1.565-18.227; P=0.007) and postoperative HT ( OR 3.036, 95% CI 1.024-9.004; P=0.045) were independent risk factors for DC. Conclusions:It is not uncommon for patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke to need DC after EVT. Previous stroke history, atrial fibrillation, high baseline NIHSS score, internal carotid artery occlusion, prolonged blood EVT time, mTICI grade ≤2a and postoperative HT are independent predictors of needing DC after EVT.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate spatiotemporal variations of global heat-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: Data on the burden of heat-related CVD were derived from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were used to quantify heat-induced CVD burden. We calculated the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and DALY rate (ASDR) per 100,000 population to compare this burden across regions. Generalized linear models were applied to evaluate estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) for temporal trends from 1990 to 2019. The correlation between the socio-demographic index (SDI) and age-standardized rate was measured using the Spearman rank test. RESULTS: Heat-induced CVD caused approximately 90 thousand deaths worldwide in 2019. Global ASMR and ASDR of heat-related CVD in 2019 were 1.17 [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.13-1.98] and 25.59 (95% CI: 2.07-44.17) per 100,000 population, respectively. The burden was significantly increased in middle and low-SDI regions and slightly decreased in high-SDI regions from 1990 to 2019. ASMR showed an upward trend, with the most considerable increase in low-latitude countries. We observed a negative correlation between SDI and EAPC in ASMR ( r _s = -0.57, P < 0.01) and ASDR ( r _s = -0.59, P < 0.01) among 204 countries. CONCLUSION Heat-attributable CVD burden substantially increased in most developing countries and tropical regions.
Humans ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; Hot Temperature ; Temperature ; Global Health ; Global Burden of Disease

The tissue distribution of Qingfei Paidu Decoction was studied by HPLC-MS/MS in vivo. Hypersil GOLD C_(18) column(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.9 μm) was used for gradient elution with acetonitrile as the mobile phase A and 0.1% formic acid solution as the mobile phase B. High-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ion scanning mode and multiple response monitoring(MRM) mode was employed to analyze the behaviors of the active components of Qingfei Paidu Decoction in diffe-rent tissues. The results showed that 19, 9, 17, 14, 22, 19, 24, and 2 compounds were detected in plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, large intestine, and brain, respectively. The compounds belonged to 8 groups, covering 14 herbs in the prescription. After administration with Qingfei Paidu Decoction, the compounds were rapidly distributed in various tissues, especially in the lung, liver, large intestine, and kidney. The majority of the compounds displayed secondary distribution. This study comprehensively analyzed the distribution rules of the main active components in Qingfei Paidu Decoction and provided a basis for the clinical application.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tissue Distribution ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal