Objective： To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy for the treatment of diabetic mellitus erectile dysfunction. Methods： China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Database(CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched from inception until October 20th of 2024，for randomized controlled trials of Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy for the treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction. Literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction were carried out in accordance with relevant standards. The software of RevMan5.4 was used for the analysis of publication bias. And meta-analysis was conducted to assess the impact of this therapy on IIEF-5, total effective rate, adverse reactions. The evidence levels according to the analysis results were evaluated. Results: Totally 19 RCTs were included, involving 1 612 patients. The result of meta-analysis indicated that Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy had advantages on the improvement of IIEF-5 scores (MD=3.59，95%CI［2.14，5.03］，P<0.01)，total effective rate (OR=4.30，95%CI［3.29，5.32］，P<0.000 01）. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions(OR=0.98，95%CI［0.48，2.01］，P=0.96) between the two groups. Conclusions： Tonifying kidney and activating blood therapy can improve the clinical efficacy and IIEF-5 score for the patients with diabetic erectile dysfunction. But considering the limited quantity of included studies, more high-quality studies still be needed to validate the therapeutic effect.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Kidney ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Diabetes Complications/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Baoyuan Decoction for chronic heart failure model rat.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Baoyuan Decoction group,Captopril group,Baoyuan Decoction+CCT020312[protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)activator]group,15 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the rats in the other groups were induced by Adriamycin to construct a chronic heart failure model.After corresponding drug intervention,cardiac function indexes[left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),cardiac troponin I(cTnI)],inflammation-related factors[tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 1β(IL-1β)],oxidative stress factors[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)]were detected in each group.Changes in apoptosis-related indicators[B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein(Bax),Caspase-3]and PERK/transcription activator 4(ATF4)signaling pathway-related proteins glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78),PERK,ATF4,C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)levels.Results Compared with the blank group,LVEDD,BNP,cTnI,TNF-α,IL-1β,MDA levels,protein expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,GRP78,PERK,ATF4,CHOP in the model group were significantly increased,LVEF,LVFS,SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression level were significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the model group and Baoyuan Decoction+CCT020312 group,LVEDD,BNP,cTnI,TNF-α,IL-1β,MDA levels,protein expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,GRP78,PERK,ATF4,CHOP in Baoyuan Decoction group and Captopril group were significantly decreased,LVEF,LVFS,SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression level were significantly increased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the Captopril group,there was no significant change in the above indexes(except CHOP protein expression level)in the Baoyuan Decoction group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Baoyuan Decoction can delay the progression of chronic heart failure rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway to alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis,further reducing the degree of inflammatory response and oxidative stress,thereby promoting the repair of cardiac function and myocardial injury.

Based on the literature study,the thoughts and possible therapeutic mechanism in treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora were explored.Disturbance of intestinal flora is one of the important factors leading to the development of male infertility,and the spleen and kidney have certain similarities to intestinal flora in the physiological function and pathological changes.Moreover,tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen can regulate the intestinal flora by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria,inhibiting the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria,and protecting the barrier of the intestinal mucosa.Therefore,the possible therapeutic mechanisms in treating male infertility with the prescriptions for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen to regulate intestinal flora are as follows:inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors to reduce the inflammatory reaction of testicular tissues;improving the antioxidant capacity to alleviate the damage of spermatozoa caused by oxidative stress,and improving the bad mood to alleviate the impact of psychological stress on the reproductive system.The exploration of the thoughts for treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora may provide a new entry point for modern Chinese medicine clinical treatment of male infertility.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe(mainly composed of Brassicae Junceae Semen,Euodiae Fructus,and Curcumae Radix)in the treatment of mild depressive disorder(DD),and to provide a novel approach to the treatment of mild DD population.Methods Sixty-one patients with mild DD were randomly divided into 31 cases in the trial group and 30 cases in the control group.The trial group was given medicinal vesiculation treatment with Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe,and the control group was given medicinal vesiculation treatment with the placebo of Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe.The treatment was performed twice a week and with an interval of 3-4 days between the treatment,and the course of treatment covered 6 weeks.The changes of Hamilton Depression Scale-17(HAMD-17)scores and Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)scores in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the patients in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After 6 weeks of treatment,the total efficacy rate of the trial group was 77.42%(24/31),and that of the control group was 26.67%(8/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by rank sum test)showed that the efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the HAMD-17 scores and PHQ-9 scores of patients in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease of HAMD-17 and PHQ-9 scores in the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)During the trial,there were 5 cases of adverse events related to the vesiculating moxibustion treatment,and all 5 cases of adverse events occurred in the trial group,manifested as minor blisters at the acupoint application region.The 5 cases kept on participating in the trial after relevant treatment.Conclusion Lingnan Traditional Vesiculating Moxibustion No.4 Recipe can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with mild DD,and has high safety.

Objective By analyzing relevant literature of long COVID,we aimed to understand the current research status,hotspots and trends in this field.Methods Based on Web of Science core collection data,bibliometric analysis was used as the main research method.The results were visualized with VOSviewer.A comprehensive analysis was performed from various perspectives including trends in publication,journal distribution,highly cited papers,international research collaboration networks,and clusters of keywords,etc.Results The field of long COVID has garnered significant global academic attention.A total of 7 877 related articles were retrievable,with a total citation count of 103 389 and an average citation count of 13.13 per article.Among them,the United States published the most articles(1 780 articles,22.59%),while China ranked fifth in publication volume(686 articles,8.71%).The international scientific cooperation network reflected the close collaborative relationships between countries in long COVID research,predominantly involving the United States,the United Kingdom,Italy,India,and China.Keywords clustering indicated that the current main research focuses in the long COVID field include:clinical manifestations,epidemiological characteristics,risk factors,and mechanisms of occurrence,treatment and rehabilitation measures of long COVID,and its impact on public and social life.Conclusion This article reveals the current state,research hotspots and trends in the long COVID field,providing valuable references for related research institutions,scholars as well as health administrative office.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of hypertension inducing erectile dysfunction(ED)using transcriptomics and network pharmacology.Methods:We randomly divided 12 male rats with spontaneous hypertension(SHT)into an L-arginine(LA)group(n=6)and an SHT model control(MC)group(n=6),took another 6 Wistar Kyoto male rats as normal controls(NC),and treated the animals in the LA group by intraperitoneal injection of LA at 400 mg/kg and those in the latter two groups with physio-logical saline,once a day,all for 7 days.Then we observed the blood pressure and penile erection of the rats,and determined the ex-pressions of the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNAs in different groups using ELISA,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results:Transcriptomics combined with network pharmacology showed that the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway played a key role in hypertension-induced ED.In vivo animal experiments revealed a significantly lower frequency of penile erections in the MC than in the NC group(1.33±0.52 vs 2.67±0.51,P＜0.05).The protein expressions of eNOS,PKG and sGC were markedly de-creased in the model controls compared with those the normal controls(P＜0.05),but remarkably upregulated in the LA group com-pared with those in the MC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Hypertension decreases the expressions of eNOS,NO,sGC,cGMP and PKG proteins and the level of testosterone by inhibiting the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway,which consequently suppresses the relaxa-tion of the penile vascular smooth muscle and reduces erectile function.