Ephedra can improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a main active ingredients of ephedra. It has anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties. Its effect on COPD and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated. The COPD rat model was constructed by systemic cigarette smoke exposure combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tracheal instillation. BEAS-2B cells were treated using cigarette smoke extract; PSE was administered for treatment. The senescence level of rat lung tissue and bronchial epithelial cells was evaluated through staining, immunofluorescence and western blot.The mitochondrial damage of rats and BEAS-2B cells was detected by transmission electron microscopy, JC-1 probe, MitoSOX Red probe and kits. In addition, the lung function indexes of rats were detected by animal lung function analysis system. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining analyzed the pathological damage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), kit and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate inflammation and oxidative stress. Western blot detected phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis protein. PSE significantly reduced senescent cells, apoptosis rate and P21 level in rat lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells, significantly increased the levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), restored mitochondrial structure, and visible mitochondrial cristae. It also inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial excessive fission. PSE also significantly improved lung function in rats, increased mean alveolar number (MAN), reduced pro-inflammatory factors, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. PSE markedly suppressed p-p85, p-AKT and p-mTOR protein expressions. In addition, the PI3K/AKT agonist 740Y-P weakened the effect of PSE on improving COPD. PSE inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, improved lung tissue senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and pathological damage, and reduced airway inflammation and oxidative stress damage, thereby alleviating COPD.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of action of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan in treating viral pneumonia by combining network pharmacology and molecular docking with in vivo experimental validation. MethodsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the core components， target genes， and major pathways of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan. Molecular docking was then applied to verify the interactions between the core components and key targets. Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups （n = 10 per group）， including blank， model， dexamethasone， and Ganlu Xiaodu Dan low-， medium-， and high-dose groups. The blank and model groups were gavaged with physiological saline （10 mL·kg^-1） every 12 h. The dexamethasone group received intraperitoneal injections of dexamethasone （5 mg·kg^-1）. The low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan were gavaged with solutions at concentrations of 7.2， 14.4， and 21.6 g·kg^-1， respectively， every 12 h. Lung wet/dry weight ratio （W/D） was measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to determine the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-17， and IL-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K） and protein kinase B （Akt） in lung tissue for further validation. ResultsTwelve potential active components of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan were identified through network pharmacology. A total of 306 overlapping target genes were obtained between Ganlu Xiaodu Dan and viral pneumonia. PPI network analysis identified the top 20 key targets， and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed the top 20 signaling pathways. An “active component–target–pathway” network was constructed. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinity between the core components of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan and key targets related to viral pneumonia. In animal experiments， compared with the blank group， the model group showed severe bronchial epithelial damage， disordered alveolar structure， massive inflammatory cell infiltration， widened alveolar septa， and obvious interstitial edema. W/D， levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and IL-17 in BALF， and protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in lung tissue were all significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， lung injury in the Ganlu Xiaodu Dan groups and the dexamethasone group was alleviated. W/D and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. IL-1β and IL-17 levels were significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups and the dexamethasone group， and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in lung tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionGanlu Xiaodu Dan can alleviate lung injury in viral pneumonia by suppressing the inflammatory response， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway activation.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of action of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan in treating viral pneumonia by combining network pharmacology and molecular docking with in vivo experimental validation. MethodsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the core components， target genes， and major pathways of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan. Molecular docking was then applied to verify the interactions between the core components and key targets. Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups （n = 10 per group）， including blank， model， dexamethasone， and Ganlu Xiaodu Dan low-， medium-， and high-dose groups. The blank and model groups were gavaged with physiological saline （10 mL·kg^-1） every 12 h. The dexamethasone group received intraperitoneal injections of dexamethasone （5 mg·kg^-1）. The low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan were gavaged with solutions at concentrations of 7.2， 14.4， and 21.6 g·kg^-1， respectively， every 12 h. Lung wet/dry weight ratio （W/D） was measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to determine the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-17， and IL-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K） and protein kinase B （Akt） in lung tissue for further validation. ResultsTwelve potential active components of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan were identified through network pharmacology. A total of 306 overlapping target genes were obtained between Ganlu Xiaodu Dan and viral pneumonia. PPI network analysis identified the top 20 key targets， and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed the top 20 signaling pathways. An “active component–target–pathway” network was constructed. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinity between the core components of Ganlu Xiaodu Dan and key targets related to viral pneumonia. In animal experiments， compared with the blank group， the model group showed severe bronchial epithelial damage， disordered alveolar structure， massive inflammatory cell infiltration， widened alveolar septa， and obvious interstitial edema. W/D， levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and IL-17 in BALF， and protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in lung tissue were all significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， lung injury in the Ganlu Xiaodu Dan groups and the dexamethasone group was alleviated. W/D and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. IL-1β and IL-17 levels were significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups and the dexamethasone group， and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in lung tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionGanlu Xiaodu Dan can alleviate lung injury in viral pneumonia by suppressing the inflammatory response， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway activation.

Background: Epimedii Folium, first recorded in the Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) known for its effects of “benefiting Qi and strengthening the heart.” Icariside II (ICS II) is one of the main active components of Epimedii Folium, possessing cardiovascular protective and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential mechanisms of ICS II on myocardial ischemia (MI) remain unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II in treating isoproterenolinduced MI in rats. Methods: A rat model of MI was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, myocardial enzymes analysis, heart weight index, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, histopathology, TUNEL staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were employed to evaluate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II on MI rats. Results: Pharmacodynamic studies suggested that ICS II inhibited ST-segment elevation in electrocardiograms, improved cardiac function, reduced heart weight index and myocardial enzyme levels, decreased myocardial infarct size, alleviated cardiac histological damage, and inhibited apoptosis, thereby exerting cardioprotective effects in MI rats. Further studies revealed that ICS II may partially inhibit the expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis-related targets at both protein and mRNA levels. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that ICS II exerts anti-MI effects, and its preliminary molecular mechanisms may be related to inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis to alleviate inflammatory responses.

Background: Epimedii Folium, first recorded in the Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) known for its effects of “benefiting Qi and strengthening the heart.” Icariside II (ICS II) is one of the main active components of Epimedii Folium, possessing cardiovascular protective and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential mechanisms of ICS II on myocardial ischemia (MI) remain unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II in treating isoproterenolinduced MI in rats. Methods: A rat model of MI was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, myocardial enzymes analysis, heart weight index, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, histopathology, TUNEL staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were employed to evaluate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II on MI rats. Results: Pharmacodynamic studies suggested that ICS II inhibited ST-segment elevation in electrocardiograms, improved cardiac function, reduced heart weight index and myocardial enzyme levels, decreased myocardial infarct size, alleviated cardiac histological damage, and inhibited apoptosis, thereby exerting cardioprotective effects in MI rats. Further studies revealed that ICS II may partially inhibit the expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis-related targets at both protein and mRNA levels. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that ICS II exerts anti-MI effects, and its preliminary molecular mechanisms may be related to inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis to alleviate inflammatory responses.

Background: Epimedii Folium, first recorded in the Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) known for its effects of “benefiting Qi and strengthening the heart.” Icariside II (ICS II) is one of the main active components of Epimedii Folium, possessing cardiovascular protective and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential mechanisms of ICS II on myocardial ischemia (MI) remain unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II in treating isoproterenolinduced MI in rats. Methods: A rat model of MI was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, myocardial enzymes analysis, heart weight index, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, histopathology, TUNEL staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were employed to evaluate the effects and preliminary molecular mechanisms of ICS II on MI rats. Results: Pharmacodynamic studies suggested that ICS II inhibited ST-segment elevation in electrocardiograms, improved cardiac function, reduced heart weight index and myocardial enzyme levels, decreased myocardial infarct size, alleviated cardiac histological damage, and inhibited apoptosis, thereby exerting cardioprotective effects in MI rats. Further studies revealed that ICS II may partially inhibit the expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis-related targets at both protein and mRNA levels. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that ICS II exerts anti-MI effects, and its preliminary molecular mechanisms may be related to inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis to alleviate inflammatory responses.

Objective To explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of sufentanil in individuals with normal body mass index(BMI),overweight BMI,and different CYP3A4/5 enzyme genotypes.Methods The patients receiving laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from November 2020 to September 2021 were prospectively recruited in this study.Before the operation,the oral swabs were collected from all the patients for genotyping using the human CYP3A4/5 gene kit.Based on the potential impact of combination of their polymorphisms on sufentanil metabolism and the proportion of different genotype combinations of CYP3A4/5 enzymes,the patients were divided into groups I(3A4 homozygous mutation or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 homozygous mutation),II(3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 heterozygous mutation),and III(3A4 wild type or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 wild type).According to their BMI,they were also assigned into a normal body weight group(18.5～24.0 kg/m2)and an overweight group(24～<28 kg/m2),and the differences in drug metabolism parameters were statistically analyze between the 2 groups.After routine general anesthesia induction(sufentanil 0.5 μg/kg),venous blood samples were collected to detect the changes in its concentration using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS).The pharmacokinetic data of sufentanil were calculated between the normal BMI group and overweight group in all participants and between the 2 body weight groups among those with different genotype combinations.Results Among the 90 participants completing the blood drug concentration test,8 patients had their blood samples contaminated(including 1 case with an anesthesia duration of<2 h),and 3 were excluded due to low weight or overweight.Eventually,79 participants were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis on the normal body weight group and the overweight group.Compared with the normal body weight group,the central compartment volume of distribution in the overweight group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while no obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of peripheral compartment volume of distribution,total clearance rate,peripheral compartment clearance rate,distribution half-life,clearance half-life,and area under the blood concentration-time curve.In group Ⅰ(n=26),the overweight patients(n=13)had significantly reduced central compartment volume of distribution,peripheral compartment volume of distribution,and peripheral compartment clearance rate when compared with the normal body weight patients(n=13)(P<0.05),while no differences were observed in other pharmacokinetic parameters.In groups Ⅱ(n=25)and Ⅲ(n=28),the overweight patients and normal body weight patients had no statistical differences in all pharmacokinetic parameters.Conclusion Among the patients with the same genotype combination of CYP3A4/5 mutations,there was no difference in the metabolism of sufentanil between the overweight and normal weight patients.Additionally,in the population of 3A4 homozygous mutation or 3A4 heterozygous mutation+3A5 homozygous mutation,the overweight patients have smaller peripheral distribution range of sufentanil,and weakened metabolic process.

Objective To explore the value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM)in preopera-tive diagnosis of microvascular invasion(MVI)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was con-ducted on the imaging data of 38 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection at Hunan Medical College General Hospital from 2019 to 2022.According to postoperative pathology results,they were divided into MVI positive group and MVI negative group.The apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)of DWI parameters,the true diffusion coefficient(D),perfu-sion related diffusion coefficient(D),and perfusion score(f)of IVIM parameters were measured before surgery in HCC pa-tients.The risk factors affecting the occurrence of MVI in HCC were analyzed,and the diagnostic efficacy of subject operating characteristic curve(ROC)was evaluated for MVI.Results The ADC and D values of the MVI positive group were lower than those of the negative group,with statistical differences(both P＜0.05).The area under the D-value curve(AUC),specificity,and sensitivity were 0.741,68％,and 94％,respectively.The area,specificity,and sensitivity under the ADC value curve were 0.714,50％,and 88％,respectively,The area under the curve for the combined diagnosis of MVI by two indicators was 0.832,with a sensitivity of 94％and a specificity of 77％.Conclusion The IVIM parameter D value and DWI parameter ADC value can help to predict microvascular infiltra-tion in hepatocellular carcinoma before surgery,and the diagnostic efficacy of D value is superior to ADC value.IVIM imaging can im-prove the accuracy of preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To explore the value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging(IVIM)in preopera-tive diagnosis of microvascular invasion(MVI)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was con-ducted on the imaging data of 38 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection at Hunan Medical College General Hospital from 2019 to 2022.According to postoperative pathology results,they were divided into MVI positive group and MVI negative group.The apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)of DWI parameters,the true diffusion coefficient(D),perfu-sion related diffusion coefficient(D),and perfusion score(f)of IVIM parameters were measured before surgery in HCC pa-tients.The risk factors affecting the occurrence of MVI in HCC were analyzed,and the diagnostic efficacy of subject operating characteristic curve(ROC)was evaluated for MVI.Results The ADC and D values of the MVI positive group were lower than those of the negative group,with statistical differences(both P＜0.05).The area under the D-value curve(AUC),specificity,and sensitivity were 0.741,68％,and 94％,respectively.The area,specificity,and sensitivity under the ADC value curve were 0.714,50％,and 88％,respectively,The area under the curve for the combined diagnosis of MVI by two indicators was 0.832,with a sensitivity of 94％and a specificity of 77％.Conclusion The IVIM parameter D value and DWI parameter ADC value can help to predict microvascular infiltra-tion in hepatocellular carcinoma before surgery,and the diagnostic efficacy of D value is superior to ADC value.IVIM imaging can im-prove the accuracy of preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND:Studies have confirmed that up-regulation of microRNA-140 expression can partially inhibit osteoarthritis-like changes in knee cartilage tissues and cells and delay the progression of osteoarthritis,suggesting that microRNA-140 is involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To further analyze the mechanism of microRNA-140 involvement in osteoarthritis by loading exosomes overexpressing microRNA-140 with sodium alginate/collagen hydrogel.METHODS:Lentivirus was used to infect rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to overexpress microRNA-140,then exosomes were isolated and exosomes overexpressing microRNA-140 were obtained.Sodium alginate/collagen hydrogels loaded with exosomes were prepared.Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into four groups,with 8 rats in each group.Normal control group did not receive any treatment.The osteoarthritis model was established by injecting sodium iodoacetate into the knee cavity in the osteoarthritis group,the non-transfected exosome group and the transfected exosome group.Two weeks later,PBS was injected into the knee cavity in the osteoarthritis group.Sodium alginate/collagen hydrogel carrying non-overexpressing microRNA-140 and overexpressing microRNA-140 exosomes were injected into the knee cavity of the non-transfected exosome group and transfected exosome group.At 6 weeks after modeling,the threshold of mechanical foot withdrawal response,the concentration of inflammatory factors in synovial fluid,the expression of chondrogen-related genes,the histological changes of knee cartilage and the expression of pyroptosis related proteins were detected in rats.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with normal control group,the threshold value of mechanical stimulation foot contraction response,type Ⅱ collagen,SOX9 mRNA expression levels,and Type Ⅱ collagen immunofluorescence intensity were decreased in the osteoarthritis group(P<0.05),and proinflammatory cytokine levels were increased in synovial fluid(P<0.05).The mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5(ADAMTS-5)were increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,GSDMD p30,caspase-1 p20,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-18 were increased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence intensity of GSDMD and cleaved caspase-1 was increased(P<0.05),and cartilage tissue was severely damaged.(2)Compared with osteoarthritis group,the threshold value of mechanical stimulation foot contraction response,type Ⅱ collagen,SOX9 mRNA expression levels,and type Ⅱ collagen immunofluorescence intensity in the non-transfected and transfected exosome groups were increased(P<0.05);proinflammatory cytokine levels were decreased in synovial fluid(P<0.05).The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 was decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,GSDMD p30,caspase-1 p20,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-18 were decreased(P<0.05).The immunofluorescence intensity of GSDMD and cleaved caspase-1 decreased(P<0.05),and the cartilage tissue damage was reduced(P<0.05),and the effect was stronger in the transfected exosome group.(3)These results conclude that microRNA-140 can reduce the pain response of rats with osteoarthritis by inhibiting inflammation,maintaining cartilage homeostasis,and inhibiting cartilaginous pyroptosis,thereby reducing cartilage damage and playing a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis.