ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline （ISO） was established. Rats were divided into the blank group，the model group，the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription，and the captopril group， 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group，the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg^-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution （8.4，16.8，and 33.6 g·kg^-1），and the captopril group was administered captopril solution （25 mg·kg^-1）. As for the blank group and the model group， the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function，and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen （Collagen Ⅰ），type Ⅲ collagen （Collagen Ⅲ），and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA），LC3，yeast Atg6 homolog protein （Beclin-1），AMPK，and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ，α-SMA，transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），LC3，Beclin-1，p62， phosphorylation（p）-AMPK，p-mTOR，AMPK，and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group，rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.01）， significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd） and left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs） （P<0.01）. Additionally， the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue， significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-SMA，and mTOR （P<0.01），and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3，Beclin-1，and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values （P<0.01） and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs （P<0.05）. In these groups， the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ， α-SMA， TGF-β₁， p62， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ， Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， and mTOR （P<0.01）， and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3， Beclin-1， and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level，enhance cardiac function，and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated anemia (CKD-anemia) is associated with poor survival, and hemoglobin targets are often not achieved with current therapies. Phase 3 trials have demonstrated the treatment efficacy of roxadustat for CKD-anemia. This phase 4 study aims to evaluate the long-term (52-week) safety and effectiveness of roxadustat in a broad real-world patient population with CKD-anemia with and without dialysis in China. METHODS: This Phase 4 multicenter, open-label, prospective study, conducted from 24 November 2020 to 11 November 2022, evaluated the long-term safety and effectiveness of roxadustat for CKD-anemia in China. Patients aged ≥18 years with CKD-anemia with or without dialysis were included. The initial oral dose was 70-120 mg (weight-based followed by dose adjustment) over 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety based on adverse events (AEs). The secondary endpoints were hemoglobin changes from baseline and the proportion of patients who achieved mean hemoglobin ≥100 g/L. Effectiveness evaluable populations 1 (EE1) and EE2 included roxadustat-naïve and previously roxadustat-treated patients, respectively. The safety analysis set (SAF) included all patients who received ≥1 occasion. RESULTS: The EE1, EE2, and SAF populations included 1804, 193, and 2021 patients, respectively. In the SAF, the mean age was 50 ± 14 years, and 1087 patients (53.8%) were male. Mean baseline hemoglobin was 96.9 ± 14.0 g/L in EE1 and 100.3 ± 12.9 g/L in EE2. In EE1, the mean (95% confidence interval) hemoglobin changes from baseline over weeks 24-36 and 36-52 were 14.2 (13.5-14.9) g/L and 14.3 (13.5-15.0) g/L, respectively. Over weeks 24-36 and 36-52, 83.3% and 86.1% of patients in EE1 and 82.7% and 84.7% in EE2 achieved mean hemoglobin ≥100 g/L, respectively. In the SAF, 1643 (81.3%) patients experienced treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs). Overall, 219 (10.8%) patients experienced drug-related TEAEs. Thirty-eight (1.9%) patients died of TEAEs (unrelated to the study drug). Vascular access thrombosis was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: Roxadustat (52 weeks) increased hemoglobin and maintained the treatment target in Chinese patients with CKD-anemia with acceptable safety, supporting its use in real-world settings. REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) ChiCTR2100046322; CDE ( www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn ) CTR20201568.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Anemia/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications* ; Glycine/adverse effects* ; Isoquinolines/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Hemoglobins/metabolism* ; Treatment Outcome ; China ; Registries ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the relationships of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)with the occurrence of painful diabetic neuropathy(PDN)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 225 patients with T2DM were enrolled and divided into PDN group(52 patients)and non-PDN group(173 patients)based on the presence of PDN.Clinical data of the two groups were collected and compared.A multivariate Logistic regres-sion model was used to analyze risk factors for PDN,and a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to assess the predictive value of TNF-α and HbA1c for PDN in T2DM patients.Results Patients in the PDN group had a longer duration of T2DM,higher levels of fasting blood glu-cose(FBG),HbA1c,C-reactive protein(CRP),and TNF-α compared with the non-PDN group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that a longer duration of T2DM,higher TNF-α levels,and higher HbA1c levels were independent risk factors for PDN in T2DM patients(P＜0.05,OR＞1).ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for the combined predic-tion of PDN in T2DM patients by TNF-α and HbA1c was 0.877(95％CI,0.826 to 0.916),which was greater than that of TNF-α and HbA1c alone[0.684(95％CI,0.619 to 0.745)and 0.764(95％CI,0.703 to 0.818),respectively].Conclusion High serum levels of TNF-α and HbA1c are independent risk factors for PDN in T2DM patients,and the combined detection of two biomarkers has high predictive efficacy for the risk of PDN in T2DM patients.

OBJECTIVE To design and synthesize novel α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester lysine specific demethylase 1(LSD1) inhibitors, evaluate their inhibitory activity with selectivity against LSD1, and explore their binding mechanism through molecular docking and dynamics simulation. METHODS Based on the binding mode of hit compound 3a with LSD1, the α- naphthyl mercapto amino acid ethyl ester small molecule compound were designed by fixing the planar hydrophobic naphthyl ring in the structure, while introducing hydrophilic amino fragment, and they were prepared through a multi-component one-pot cascade reaction. All the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against LSD1 at concentrations of 5.0 and 1.0 μmol·L–1 using the LSD1 screening platform of research group. The most potent compound was tested for its IC50 value and enzyme selectivity over MAO-A and MAO-B, and its binding mode was investigated through molecular docking and dynamics simulation. RESULTS A total of 13 compounds were obtained, all of which exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LSD1. Among them, nine compounds showed an inhibitory rate of over 50.0% against LSD1 at a concentration of 1.0 μmol·L–1, while compound 3l displaying the best activity with an IC50 value of 0.17 μmol·L–1, 174 times higher than the positive control. It also showed excellent selectivity towards MAO-A and MAO-B. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations indicated that compound 3l inhibited the activity of LSD1 through multiple interactions. CONCLUSION The structures of α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester can serve as lead compounds or active fragments, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent design of LSD1 inhibitors based on structure-oriented drug design.

Recent innovations in nanomaterials inspire abundant novel tumor-targeting CRISPR-based gene therapies. However, the therapeutic efficiency of traditional targeted nanotherapeutic strategies is limited by that the biomarkers vary in a spatiotemporal-dependent manner with tumor progression. Here, we propose a self-amplifying logic-gated gene editing strategy for gene/H₂O₂-mediated/starvation multimodal cancer therapy. In this approach, a hypoxia-degradable covalent-organic framework (COF) is synthesized to coat a-ZIF-8 in which glucose oxidase (GOx) and CRISPR system are packaged. To intensify intracellular redox dyshomeostasis, DNAzymes which can cleave catalase mRNA are loaded as well. When the nanosystem gets into the tumor, the weakly acidic and hypoxic microenvironment degrades the ZIF-8@COF to activate GOx, which amplifies intracellular H⁺ and hypoxia, accelerating the nanocarrier degradation to guarantee available CRISPR plasmid and GOx release in target cells. These tandem reactions deplete glucose and oxygen, leading to logic-gated-triggered gene editing as well as synergistic gene/H₂O₂-mediated/starvation therapy. Overall, this approach highlights the biocomputing-based CRISPR delivery and underscores the great potential of precise cancer therapy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.06.016.].

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salvianolic acid F （Sal F） in repairing the high glucose-induced injury in human kidney-2 （HK-2） cells via the B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 3 （Caspase-3）/gasdermin-E （GSDME） pathway. MethodThe cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to measure the relative viability of HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and different concentrations （2.5， 5， 10， 20 μmol·L^-1） of Sal F and the relative viability of HK-2 cells treated with Sal F for different time periods. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by the LDH assay kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit， respectively. Flow cytometry combined with Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） and Hoechst 33342/PI staining was employed to reveal the proportion of PI-positive HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of Bax， Bcl-2， cytochrome C， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase （Caspase）-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. The 2，7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probe （DCFH-DA） and mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit （JC-1） were used to determine the production of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased cell viability （P<0.01）， elevated levels LDH and IL-1β， increased proportion of PI-positive cells （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of Bax， cytochrome C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）， decreased mitochondrial membrane potential， and excessive ROS accumulation. Compared with the model group， Sal F repaired the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells （P<0.05）， lowered the levels of LDH and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased the proportion of PI-positive cells （P<0.01）. In addition， Sal F down-regulated the protein levels of Bax， cytochrome C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased the mitochondrial membrane potential， and decreased the accumulation of ROS in HK-2 cells. ConclusionSal F can reduce the production of ROS， restore the balance of mitochondrial membrane potential， and inhibit pyroptosis via the Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway to repair the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells.

Objective:To discuss the promotion effect of chemokine C-C motif ligand 19(CCL19)induced macrophage M1 polarization on chronic pancreatitis of the mice,and to clarify its related mechanism.Methods:Ten male C57BL/6N mice were selected,and the pancreatic acinar cells and peritoneal macrophages were extracted from these mice to construct the macrophage-acinar cell co-culture system.The co-culture system cells were divided into control group,model group,and small interfering RNA CCL19(si-CCL19)group.The morphology of the acinar cells in various groups were observed under microscope.Forty mice were randomly selected and divided into normal group and chronic pancreatitis group,and there were 20 mice in each group.HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of pancreatic tissue of the mice in two groups;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expressions of cytokeratin 19(CK19),amylase,M1 macrophage-related markers inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and F4/80 in pancreatic tissue of the mice in two groups and morphology of follicular cells and the expressions of CK19,amylase in the co-culture system cells in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β in serum of the mice in two groups and in the co-culture system cells in various groups;immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of CCL19 protein in pancreatic tissue of the mice in two groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of CCL19 protein and two nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway-related proteins P65,phosphorylate P65(p-P65),kappa B inhibitor of kinase α/β(IKKα/β),phosphorylated IKKα/β(p-IKKα/β),IkBα,phosphorylated IκBα(p-IκBα)in pancreatic tissue of the mice in two groups and in the co-culture system cells in various groups.Results:The HE staining results showed that the acinar cells in pancreatic tissue of the mice in normal group were tightly arranged;compared with normal group,the acinar cells of the mice in chronic pancreatitis group showed obvious vacuolation and acinar cell ductal metaplasia,indicating successful preparation of the mouse pancreatitis model.The immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with control group,the acinar cells in model group exhibited severe vacuolation,the CK19 expression was significantly increased,and the amylase expression was significantly decreased;compared with model group,the acinar cell ductal metaplasia in si-CCL19 group was decreased,the CK19 expression was significantly decreased,and the amylase expression was significantly increased;compared with normal group,the expression of amylase in pancreatic tissue of the mice in chronic pancreatitis group was significantly decreased,while the expressions of CK19 and M1 macrophage markers iNOS and F4/80 were significantly increased.The ELISA results showed that compared with normal group,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β of the mice in chronic pancreatitis group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with control group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β in the cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β in the cells in si-CCL19 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with normal group,the expression of CCL19 protein in pancreatic tissue of the mice in chronic pancreatitis group was significantly increased.The Western blotting results showed that compared with normal group,the expression levels of CCL19 protein and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins p-P65,p-IKKα/β,and p-IκBα in pancreatic tissue of the mice in chronic pancreatitis group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with control group,the expression levels of CCL19,p-IKKα/β,p-P65,and p-IκBα proteins in the cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of CCL19,p-IKKα/β,p-P65,and p-IκBα proteins in the cells in si-CCL19 group were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:CCL19 promotes the macrophage M1 polarization through the NF-κB signaling pathway,induces the formation of inflammatory microenvironment,and promotes the occurrence and development of pancreatitis.

Objective:To observe the effect of warming needle therapy combined with Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)on the clinical symptoms and anxiety state of patients with cervical vertigo accompanied by anxiety. Methods:Seventy patients with cervical vertigo accompanied by anxiety state were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 35 patients in each group.In addition to disease education,the observation group was treated with warming needle therapy and Tuina 3 times a week,and the control group was treated with betahistine mesylate tablets orally 3 times a day.Both groups were treated for 4 weeks.The changes in the scores of the evaluation scale for cervical vertigo(ESCV),self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),and Hamilton anxiety rating scale(HAMA)were compared between the two groups after treatment. Results:One case in the observation group dropped out due to failure to cooperate with the treatment during the study.In the treatment group,the total effective rate and the cured plus markedly effective rate were 94.1%and 50.0%,respectively,and 88.6%and 8.6%in the control group,respectively;the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the ESCV,SAS,and HAMA scores of both groups decreased significantly compared with those before treatment(P<0.01),and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Warming needle therapy combined with Tuina can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with cervical vertigo accompanied by anxiety state.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of trigger point deactivation induced by pressing manipulation in a rat model and to explore its potential regulation of the inflammatory response through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway. Methods:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a pressing manipulation group,an ERK agonist group,and a pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,rats in other groups were used to establish the trigger point rat model using the blunt blow combined with the eccentric exercise method.The pressing manipulation group underwent pressing manipulation intervention at the trigger points.The ERK agonist group received an injection of recombinant human epidermal growth factor via the tail vein.The pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group received interventions from both the pressing manipulation and ERK agonist groups.The pressure pain threshold(PPT)was measured by a mechanical pain threshold detector before and after the intervention.The histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining after the intervention;the expression levels of ERK,phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK),NF-κB p65(p65),phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-p65),and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor(p-IκB)were detected by Western blotting;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The PPT increased(P<0.05);the inflammatory cells disappeared;the ratios of p-ERK/ERK,p-p65/p65,and p-IκB/β-actin,also the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α all decreased in the pressing manipulation group after the intervention compared with the model group(P<0.05).The PPT decreased significantly(P<0.05),the inflammatory cell presence increased,and the ratios of p-ERK/ERK and p-p65/p65 were elevated(P<0.05);additionally,the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group compared with the pressing manipulation group(P<0.05).The PPT was significantly lower(P<0.05),the inflammatory cell count was higher,the ratios of p-ERK/ERK and p-IκB/β-actin and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the ERK agonist group compared with the pressing manipulation+ERK agonist group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Pressing manipulation can effectively alleviate inflammation and pain in trigger point model rats,potentially by inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.