This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction(DJD) in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Forty SPF New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided using SPSS 26.0 software into five groups: blank group, model group, low-dose DJD group, high-dose DJD group, and high-dose DJD+phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway activator group(high-dose DJD+740Y-P group), with eight rabbits in each group. Except for the blank group, the KOA model was established in the other groups using papain injection into the knee joint cavity combined with forced flexion of the knee joint. The day after modeling, the blank group and model group were given normal saline at 10 mL·kg~(-1) by gavage, the low-dose DJD group received DJD at 8.8 g·kg~(-1) by gavage, the high-dose DJD group received DJD at 35.2 g·kg~(-1) by gavage, and the high-dose DJD+740Y-P group received DJD at 35.2 g·kg~(-1) by gavage along with 740Y-P at 0.15 μmoL·kg~(-1) injected via the auricular vein. All groups received treatment continuously for four weeks. After modeling and intervention, behavioral observations were performed for all groups, and after the intervention, imaging assessments of the knee joints were conducted. Cartilage from the knee joints was collected, and gross morphological changes were observed. Pathological changes in cartilage tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The results of these observations were quantitatively evaluated using the Lequesne MG score, Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L) grading, Pelletier score, and Mankin score. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), and matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP13) in cartilage tissue. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), cysteine protease 1(caspase-1), and gasdermin D(GSDMD) in cartilage tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significant knee joint degeneration, increased Lequesne MG score, K-L grading, Pelletier score, and Mankin score, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and MMP13 in cartilage tissue, activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation along with increased mRNA expression levels, and elevated protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. Compared with the model group, these indicators were reversed in both the low-dose and high-dose DJD groups, with the high-dose group showing greater decline degree than the low-dose DJD group. However, compared with the high-dose DJD group, the improvements in knee joint degeneration were less pronounced in the high-dose DJD+740Y-P group, with increased Lequesne MG score, K-L grading, Pelletier score, Mankin score, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and MMP13, activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation along with increased mRNA expression, and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. In conclusion, DJD is effective and safe in the treatment of KOA, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway-mediated pyroptosis in cartilage tissue, thereby improving knee joint bone structure, reducing the inflammatory response, and preventing cartilage matrix degradation.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rabbits ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Humans ; Female

ObjectiveTo sum up the clinical features of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency （5α-RD2） complicated by central precocious puberty （CPP）， and provide experience for clinicians. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of child patients with 5α-RD2 followed up to puberty at a single tertiary pediatric center， in whom 6 cases developed CRP. Clinical characteristics and treatment history of them were analyzed. A literature review was also performed to investigate possible mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of 5α-RD2 and CPP. ResultsThe median age at initial presentation was 5.55 years （IQR 3.50-7.20）. Common clinical features included micropenis and hypospadias. Median stretched penile length （SPL） was 2.25 cm （IQR 1.8-2.8）， with an SPL-SDS of -4.5 （IQR -3.1 to -5.8）. Median external masculinization score （EMS） and Prader scores were 8.5 （IQR 5.0-9.0） and 4.5 （IQR 3.0-5.0）， respectively. Pubertal onset occurred at a median age of 8.70 years （IQR 7.80-9.00）. Three patients were overweight or obese. Five had received 2.5% dihydrotestosterone （DHT） gel prior to pubertal onset， with a median cumulative dose of 205.5 mg/kg （IQR 72.0-660.3 mg/kg） with DHT gel therapy. Notably， one patient with normal body mass index （BMI） and no history of androgen or gonadotropin therapy also exhibited early pubertal onset at 8.4 years. ConclusionCPP in children with 5α-RD2 may be associated with prior dihydrotestosterone （DHT） gel therapy and elevated BMI； however， a potential intrinsic link to the underlying disorder cannot be excluded. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms.

Objective To develop a matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-responsive hyaluronic acid(HA)-based controlled-release material for brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)to provide a novel therapeutic strategy for intervention and repair of traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods HA was modified with amination,followed by condensation with Suflo-SMCC carboxyl group to form amide,and then linked with glutathione(GSH)to synthesize HA-GSH.The recombinant glutathione S-transferase(GST)-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-BDNF(GST-TIMP-BDNF)expression plasmid was constructed using molecular cloning technique with double enzyme digestion by Bam H Ⅰ and Eco R Ⅰ.The recombinant GST-TIMP-BDNF protein was expressed in the Escherichia coli prokaryotic expression system,and purified by ion exchange chromatography,confirmed by Western blotting.MMP diluents were supplemented with PBS,MMP inhibitor marimastat,and varing concentrations(0.4,0.6,0.8 mg/ml)of GST-TIMP-BDNF or GST-BDNF.MMP-2 activity was analyzed using an MMP activity detection kit to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the recombinant protein on MMP.Primary rat neurons were extracted and cultured to establish an iron death model induced by RSL3.The effect of recombinant protein GST-TIMP-BDNF on neuronal injury was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results MRI hydrogen spectrum identification confirmed the successful synthesis of HA-GSH.Western blotting results showed the successful expression of the recombinant protein GST-TIMP-BDNF containing the GST tag using the E.coli prokaryotic expression system.MMP activity detection results indicated that the recombinant protein GST-TIMP-BDNF had a superior inhibitory effect on MMP-2 activity compared to GST-BDNF(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results showed a significant increase in fluorescence intensity in rat neurons treated with GST-TIMP-BDNF after RSL3 induction(P<0.05).Conclusion A MMP-responsive HA-based BDNF controlled-release material has been successfully developed,exhibiting a protective effect on neuron damage.

Objective To predict the target and molecular mechanism of Huayu Xiaopi decoction in the intervention of Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC)based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,and to conduct experimental verification.Methods A total of 60 SPF SD male rats were randomly selected as blank control,and the other rats were replicated in PLGC model.After successful modeling,the rats were randomly divided into model group,folic acid group(2 mg·kg-1·d-1),Huayu Xiaopi decoction high,medium and low dose groups(24.8,12.4,6.2 g·kg-1·d-1),which were continuously administered for 90 days.The body mass and food intake of rats at 3 h were recorded,and the gastric histopathology was observed by HE staining.Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the potential targets of Huayu Xiaopi decoction in PLGC intervention,and the core targets were verified by Western blot technique.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and 3 h food intake of rats in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),the gastric mucosa of rats was significantly thinner,the glands were significantly reduced and disordered,and the intestinal metaplasia goblet cells and a large number of inflammatory cells were visible in some areas.Compared with the model group,the body mass and 3 h food intake of rats in each administration group were improved to varying degrees.Huayu Xiaopi Decoction improved significantly in medium and high doses(P<0.05),the gastric mucosa was repaired in different degrees,the glandular arrangement tended to be orderly,and the inflammatory cells in the interstitial were gradually reduced.The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking showed that TP53,JUN and MAPK3/1(ERK1/2)were the core targets of Huayu Xiaopi decoction in the intervention of PLGC.Molecular biological detection results showed that compared with blank group,the protein phosphorylation levels of TP53,c-Jun and ERK1/2 in gastric tissue of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the protein phosphorylation levels of TP53,c-Jun and ERK1/2 in gastric tissue of rats in all administration groups were decreased to different degrees,and significantly decreased in Huayu Xiaopi decoction high-dose and medium-dose groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Huayu Xiaopi Decoction can significantly improve the survival condition of PLGC rats and promote gastric mucosal repair,the specific mechanism of which may be related to the decrease of ERK1/2,c-Jun and TP53 protein phosphorylation levels in gastric tissue of PLGC rats,and then regulate the downstream signaling molecular response.

Objective To investigate cyclin D2(CCND2)expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)and its association with the clinicopathological features.Methods The public databases TCGA,TIMER 2.0 and UALCAN were used to explore CCND2 expression level in PTC and adjacent tissues,and its diagnostic value for PTC was analyzed using ROC curves.GO enrichment analysis of CCND2-related differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in PTC was performed,and tumor immune infiltration of CCND2 in thyroid cancer was analyzed using TIMER database and CIBERSORT data source.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect CCND2 expression in normal human thyroid cell line Nthy-ori-3-1 and human PTC cell lines TPC-1 and BCPAP.CCND2 expression was also detected in clinical specimens of PTC and adjacent tissues by immunohistochemistry,and its correlation with clinicopathological features of the patients were analyzed.Results Informatic analysis revealed significantly higher CCND2 mRNA expression in thyroid cancer than in the adjacent tissues(P<0.001)in close correlation with tumor stage,gender,age,pathological subtype,and lymph node involvement(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that at the cutoff value of 4.983,the diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of CCND2 expression for PTC was 83.6%,94.9%,and 78.5%,respectively.CCND2 expression was positively correlated with B cells,CD4+T cells,and macrophages(P<0.001)and negatively with CD8+T cells(P<0.01),and also correlated with memory B-cell infiltration,CD4+T-cell memory activation,M2 macrophages,resting mast cells,and mast cell activation(P<0.05).RT-qPCR,Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher CCND2 expression in the PTC cells than in Nthy-ori-3-1 cells(P<0.01)and also in clinical PTC tissues than in the adjacent tissues(P<0.05)in correlation with tumor size,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P<0.05).Conclusion CCND2 overexpression is closely correlated with tumor progression and immune cell infiltration in PTC patients..

The excipient processing is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and understanding its scientific connotations is a critical scientific issue that urgently needs resolution. Building upon a foundation where the composition of traditional Chinese medicine substances is fundamentally clear, this paper applies the techniques and methods of chemoinformatics to the study of the excipient processing mechanism. Relevant information on traditional Chinese medicines processed with four kinds of excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) was collected, including properties, taste, meridian tropism, chemical components, etc. Molecular descritors and skeletons corresponding to each chemical component were calculated using chemoinformatics to characterize the properties and structural features of the components. Characteristic components associated with the four excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) were explored through multivariate statistical analysis and Murcko skeleton analysis. Further analysis, taking honey-processed Astragali Radix as an example, the focus was on the impact of the processing excipient honey on the solubility and permeability of its characteristic pharmacologically active components (isoflavones). It was discovered that the excipient honey can increase their solubility and permeability, emphasizing that the impact of processing excipients on the pharmacological classification properties is a key breakthrough in elucidating the mechanism of excipient processing. In summary, this study analyzed the characteristic components associated with the processing excipients "wine, vinegar, salt and honey" based on their composition characteristics, providing data support for the research on the mechanism of excipient processing from a biopharmaceutical perspective.

The toad, known for its various medicinal properties including parotid gland secretion (toad venom), dried skin, and gallbladder (toad bile), holds considerable medicinal applications as a valuable traditional Chinese animal medicine. Currently, in-depth attentions have been paid to the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of toad venom and skin; however, a lesser number of detailed analyses were concentrated on the toad bile. This review provides an overview of the chemical constituents in the bile of the Bufo genus, with a special focus on the cholestane and bufadienolides, and highlights the progress in their biosynthetic pathway and pharmacological activities. The analysis uncovers a distinct category of unsaturated Δ²² or Δ²³-C₂₇/C₂₈ bile acids in the toad gallbladder, potentially acting as key intermediaries in forming C-17 α-pyrone of bufadienolides. Furthermore, the high presence of 3α-OH configured bufadienolides in toad bile, in contrast to the common 3β-OH configured found in toad venom or skin, indicates a possible link between their minimal toxicity and the toad's self-defensive or physiological control. This review provides scientific basis for the development and utilization of toad bile resources, and provides useful reference for the discovery of lead compounds, analysis of the biosynthetic pathway of bufadienolides, and research on toad physiology.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and one of the deadliest cancers worldwide.According to the distribution of tumor tissue,breast cancer can be divided into invasive and non-invasive forms.The cancer cells in invasive breast cancer pass through the breast and through the immune system or systemic circulation to different parts of the body,forming metastatic breast cancer.Drug resistance and distant metastasis are the main causes of death from breast cancer.Research on breast cancer has attracted extensive attention from researchers.In vitro construction of tumor models by tissue engineering methods is a common tool for studying cancer mechanisms and anticancer drug screening.The tumor microenvironment consists of cancer cells and various types of stromal cells,including fibroblasts,endothelial cells,mesenchymal cells,and immune cells embedded in the extracellular matrix.The extracellular matrix contains fibrin proteins(such as types Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅵ,and Ⅹcollagen and elastin)and glycoproteins(such as proteoglycan,laminin,and fibronectin),which are involved in cell signaling and binding of growth factors.The current traditional two-dimensional(2D)tumor models are limited by the growth environment and often cannot accurately reproduce the heterogeneity and complexity of tumor tissues in vivo.Therefore,in recent years,research on three-dimensional(3D)tumor models has gradually increased,especially 3D bioprinting models with high precision and repeatability.Compared with a 2D model,the 3D environment can better simulate the complex extracellular matrix components and structures in the tumor microenvironment.Three-dimensional models are often used as a bridge between 2D cellular level experiments and animal experiments.Acellular matrix,gelatin,sodium alginate,and other natural materials are widely used in the construction of tumor models because of their excellent biocompatibility and non-immune rejection.Here,we review various natural scaffold materials and construction methods involved in 3D tissue-engineered tumor models,as a reference for research in the field of breast cancer.

Objective:To investigate the application value of ultrasound technology in transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate(TUERP).Methods:This study included 78 BPH patients admitted in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023,aged 70.68±8.63 years and with the indication of surgery.We randomly divided them into two groups to receive TUERP(the control group,n=39)and ultrasound-assisted TUERP(the US-TUERP group,n=39).We statistically analyzed and compared the rele-vant parameters obtained before and after operation between the two groups.Results:No statistically significant differences were ob-served in the operation time and bladder irrigation time between the two groups(P>0.05).More glandular tissues were removed but less intraoperative bleeding and fewer perioperative complications occurred in the US-TUERP group than in the control.Compared with the baseline,IPSS,postvoid residual urine volume(PVR),quality of life score(QOL)and maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)were significantly improved in both groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery,even more significantly in the US-TUERP than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:US-TUERP helps achieve complete resection of the hyperplastic prostatic tissue along the surgical capsule at the anatomical level,with a higher safety,fewer perioperative complications,and better therapeutic effects.