Roxadustat is the world's first small molecule hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor. Its adverse effect of causing hypothyroidism with low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is relatively rare and manifests subtly in elderly patients with multiple coexisting diseases. This article reports a case of an elderly patient with renal anemia who developed reversible low-TSH hypothyroidism after taking roxadustat for 12 days, with a significant decrease in thyroid hormone levels. After discontinuing roxadustat for 15 days, the thyroid hormone levels gradually returned to normal. Due to the worsening of renal anemia, the patient took roxadustat again, and 9 days later, the thyroid function-related indicators decreased upon re-examination, leading to the initiation of levothyroxine replacement therapy. In conjunction with relevant literature, this article analyzes the adverse reactions that occur during the oral administration of roxadustat in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease, aiming to provide reference for drug treatment of such patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of exosomes (Exo) derived from high glucose-stimulated glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) on the kidneys of C57BL/6 mice and the intervention mechanism of Tongluo Yishen Formula (TLYSF). Methods The rat GMC were divided into a normal glucose group (NG, with 5.6 mmol/L glucose) and a high glucose group (HG, with 30 mmol/L glucose). After 24 hours of culture, the supernatant was collected, and exosomes were extracted using the ultracentrifugation method. The exosomes were then identified by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot analysis. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: NO-Exo group, NG-Exo group, and HG-Exo group. These groups were respectively administered tail vein injections of PBS buffer, exosomes derived from GMC cultured in normal glucose, and exosomes derived from GMC cultured in high glucose, three times a week for a total of 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the mice in the HG-Exo group were randomly divided into three subgroups: the HG-Exo group [gavaged with saline], the HG-Exo+TLYSF group [gavaged with TLYSF at 34.32 g/(kg.d)], and the HG-Exo + VAL group [gavaged with valsartan suspension at 10.4 mg/(kg.d)], and the intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Urinary microalbumin (mALb), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-aminoglucosidase (NAG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of renal tissues. TUNEL was used to detect the DNA damage of renal tissue cells. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and wilms tumor 1(WT-1). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 1 (caspase-1), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), miR-200c-3p and miR-148a-3p. Western Blot was employed to detect the protein expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1 and IL-1β. Results Compared with the NG-Exo group, mice in the HG-Exo group exhibited significantly increased levels of mALb, urinary NAG, Scr and BUN. Transmission electron microscopy revealed ruptured podocyte membranes and swollen mitochondria. The positive rate of cells stained by the TUNEL increased, with elevated optical density of NLRP3 and decreased optical density of WT-1. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the level of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β mRNA, as well as miR-200c-3p and miR-148a-3p. The protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β also increased. Compared with HG-Exo group, mice in the HG-Exo+TLYSF group showed decreased levels of mALb, urinary NAG, Scr, and BUN. The podocyte membranes were relatively intact, and mitochondrial damage was alleviated. The positive rate of cells stained by the TUNEL decreased, along with a reduction in the optical density of NLRP3 and an increase in the optical density of WT-1. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, miR-200c-3p, and miR-148a-3p were all downregulated to varying degrees. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β also decreased. Conclusion Exosomes derived from GMC stimulated by high glucose can damage the kidneys of mice and induce podocyte pyroptosis. TLYSF may ameliorate podocyte pyroptosis by downregulating the expression of exosomal miR-200c-3p and miR-148a-3p and inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway.
Animals ; Exosomes/ultrastructure* ; Glucose/pharmacology* ; Male ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Mesangial Cells/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the interplay between the life-course body mass index (BMI) trajectories and insulin resistance (IR) on incident diabetes. METHODS: This longitudinal cohort included 2,336 participants who had BMI repeatedly measured 3-8 times between 1989 and 2009, as well as glucose and insulin measured in 2009. BMI trajectories were identified using a latent class growth mixed model. The interplay between BMI trajectories and IR on diabetes was explored using the four-way effect decomposition method. Logistic regression and mediation models were used to estimate the interaction and mediation effects, respectively. RESULTS: Three distinct BMI trajectory groups were identified: low-stable ( n = 1,625), medium-increasing ( n = 613), and high-increasing ( n = 98). Both interaction and mediation effects of BMI trajectories and IR on incident diabetes were significant ( P < 0.05). The proportion of incident diabetes was higher in the IR-obesity than in the insulin-sensitivity (IS) obesity group (18.9% vs. 5.8%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the IR, IS-obesity, and IR-obesity groups vs. the normal group were 3.22 (2.05, 5.16), 2.05 (1.00, 3.97), and 7.98 (5.19, 12.62), respectively. IR mediated 10.7% of the total effect of BMI trajectories on incident diabetes ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION We found strong interactions and weak mediation effects of IR on the relationship between life-course BMI trajectories and incident diabetes. IS-obesity is associated with a lower risk of incident diabetes than IR-obesity.
Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Body Mass Index ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Longitudinal Studies ; Incidence ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of pleural effusion after spinal separation surgery for patients with spinal metastatic tumors.Methods:A total of 427 patients with spinal metastatic tumors from January 2014 to January 2022 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. There were 252 males and 175 females, with an average age of 59±12 years (range, 15-87 years). All patients underwent separation surgery. Based on the chest CT within 1 month after surgery, the volume of pleural effusion was measured individually by reconstruction software. Pleural effusion was defined as small volume (0-500 ml), moderate volume (500-1 000 ml), and large volume (above 1 000 ml). Baseline data and perioperative clinical outcomes were compared between the groups, and indicators with statistically significant differences were included in a binary logistic regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors for the development of pleural effusion after isolation of spinal metastatic cancer. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) for each independent risk factor.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. Among the 427 patients, there were 35 cases of large pleural effusion, 42 cases of moderate pleural effusion, and 350 cases of small pleural effusion. There were significant differences in tumor size (χ 2=9.485, P=0.013), intraoperative blood loss ( Z=-2.503, P=0.011), blood transfusion ( Z=-2.983, P=0.003), preoperative total protein ( Z=2.681, P=0.007), preoperative albumin ( Z=1.720, P= 0.085), postoperative hemoglobin ( t=2.950, P=0.008), postoperative total protein ( Z=4.192, P<0.001), and postoperative albumin ( t=2.268, P=0.032) in the large pleural effusion group versus the small and moderate pleural effusion group. Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased preoperative albumin ( OR=0.89, P=0.045) and metastases located in the thoracic spine ( OR=4.01, P=0.039) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of large pleural effusion after separation surgery. The ROC curve showed that the AUC and 95% CI for preoperative albumin, lesion location, and the combined model were 0.637 (0.54, 0.74), 0.421 (0.36, 0.48), and 0.883 (0.81, 0.92). The combined predictive model showed good predictive value. Conclusion:The volume of pleural effusion can be measured individually and quantitatively based on chest CT. Decreased preoperative albumin and metastases located in the thoracic spine are independent risk factors for the occurrence of large pleural effusion after separation surgery. The combined prediction of the two factors has better predictive efficacy.

Objective:To discuss the inhibitory effect of microRNA-487a(miR-487a)on the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)in gastric cancer,and to clarify its effect on the proliferation,invasion,and migration of the gastric cancer AGS cells.Methods:The TAMs from gastric cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue macrophages(NTMs)from adjacent tissue of the primary gastric cancer patients were isolated and cultured.The human monocyte THP-1 cells were induced in vitro to differentiate into TAMs,and the differentiated M0,M1,and M2 macrophages were cultured for 24 h by conditioned medium(CM)to obtain the TAMs,M1-TAMs,and M2-TAMs respectively.The TAMs were transfected and then divided into blank group,inhibitor-NC group,miR-487a inhibitor group,miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,and miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group.The transfection efficiencies of the cells in various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods.The M2-TAMs were co-cultured with the AGS cells,and divided into AGS group,AGS+inhibitor-NC group,AGS+miR-487a inhibitor group,AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,and AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group.RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-487a and lymphocyte intracytoplasmic antigen-1(TIA1)mRNA in TAMs from gastric cancer tissue and NTMs from adjacent normal tissue in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression level of TIA1 protein in TAMs from gastric cancer tissue and NTMs from adjacent normal tissue and TAMs in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of CD206 and CD163 in TAMs in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β),vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A),and arginase-1(Arg-1)in culture supernatant of the TAMs cells;CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferative activity of the AGS cells in various groups;wound healing assay was used to detect the migration rates of the AGS cells in various groups;Transwell assay was used to detect the number of invasion AGS cells in various groups.Results:The RT-qPCR results shoued that compared with NTMs from adjacent tissue,the expression level of miR-487a in the TAMs from gastric cancer tissue was significantly increased(P<0.01)and the expression level of TIA1 mRNA was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with TAMs,the expression level of miR-487a in M1-TAMs was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression level of TIA1 mRNA was increased(P<0.01);the expression level of miR-487a in M2-TAMs was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression level of TIA1 mRNA was decreased(P<0.01).After transfection,compared with blank group and inhibitor-NC group,the expression level of miR-487a in the cells in miR-487a inhibitor group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),indicating successful transfection.The Western blotting results showed that compared with NTMs from adjacent normal tissue,the expression level of TIA1 protein in TAMs from gastric cancer tissue was decreased(P<0.01);compared with TAMs,the expression level of T1A1 protein in M1-TAMs was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression of TIA1 protein in M2-TAMs was significantly decreased(P<0.01);after co-transfection,compared with inhibitor-NC group,the expression level of TIA1 protein in the cells in miR-487a inhibitor group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,the expression level of TIA1 protein in the cells in miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with blank group and inhibitor-NC group,the levels of CD206 and CD163 in the cells in miR-487a inhibitor group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);after co-transfection,compared with inhibitor-NC group,the levels of CD206 and CD163 in the cells in miR-487a inhibitor group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,the levels of CD206 and CD163 in the cells in miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group were significantly increased(P<0.01).The ELISA results showed that compared with blank group and inhibitor-NC group,the levels of IL-10,TGF-β,VEGF-A,and Arg-1 in culture supernatant of the TAMs in miR-487a inhibitor group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);after co-transfection,compared with inhibitor-NC group,the levels of IL-10,TGF-β,VEGF-A,and Arg-1 in culture supernatant of the TAMs in miR-487a inhibitor group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,the levels of IL-10,TGF-β,VEGF-A,and Arg-1 in culture supernatant of the TAMs in miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group were significantly increased(P<0.01).The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with AGS group,the proliferation activity of the cells in AGS+inhibitor-NC group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with AGS+inhibitor-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in AGS+miR-487a inhibitor group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The wound healing assay results showed that compared with AGS group,the migration rate of the cells in AGS+inhibitor-NC group was significantly(P<0.05);compared with AGS+inhibitor-NC group,the migration rate of the cells in AGS+miR-487a inhibitor group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,the migration rate of the cells in AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The Transwell assay results showed that compared with AGS group,the number of invasion AGS cells in AGS+inhibitor-NC group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with AGS+inhibitor-NC group,the number of invasion AGS cells in AGS+miR-487a inhibitor group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-NC group,the number of invasion AGS cells in AGS+miR-487a inhibitor+si-TIA1 group was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Silencing the miR-487a expression can inhibit the M2 polarization of the gastric cancer-associated macrophages by targeted upregulation of TIA1,and suppress the proliferation,migration,and invasion of the gastric cancer cells.

To report a case of nonbullous neutrophilic lupus erythematosus. A 57-year-old male patient presented with recurrent erythematous pruritic papules and plaques on the trunk and extremities for over 10 years. Skin examination revealed scattered urticaria-like papules and plaques on the trunk and limbs, with thin scales on the edge of some lesions. Laboratory tests showed positive antinuclear antibodies at a titer of 1∶320 (granular type), anti-Sj?gren syndrome A (SSA) antibodies (++), anti-SSB antibodies (+++), anti-Ro-52 antibodies (+++), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies at a level of 369.09 RU/ml (reference range: 0 - 20 RU/ml). Histopathological analysis of the skin lesions on the back revealed epidermal hyperkeratosis in a basket-like shape, liquefaction degeneration of basal cells, infiltration of numerous neutrophils in the superficial dermis with karyorrhexis, perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes in the superficial and middle dermis, and extensive extracellular mucin deposition throughout the dermis. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with nonbullous neutrophilic lupus erythematosus.

Objective:To investigate the effect of overexpression of T cell restricted intracellular antigen 1(TIA1)gene in M2-type tumor-associated macrophages(M2-TAMs)on invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells and its mechanism.Methods:Primary TAMs were extracted from gastric cancer tissues and induced to differentiate into M2-TAMs using IL-4 and IL-13.The TIA1 overex-pression plasmid(oe-TIA1)and its empty vector were transfected into M2-TAMs.The expression levels of TIA1 mRNA and protein were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.The expression levels of CD206 and CD163 were detected by flow cytometry.The levels of IL-10,TGF-β,VEGF-A and Arg-1 in cell culture supernatant were detected by ELISA.The transfected M2-TAMs were co-cultured with gastric cancer BGC-823 cells by Transwell co-cultivation system,and PI3K agonist 740Y-P was used to intervene in parallel.The cell migration ability was detected by scratch assay.Transwell assay was used to detect cell invasion ability.Protein expression levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,p-AKT,MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cells were detected by Western blot.Results:①Compared with primary TAMs,the levels of CD206 and CD163 expression in M2-TAMs cells and IL-10,TGF-β,VEGF-A and Arg-1 in cell culture superna-tant were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of TIA1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Overexpression of TIA1 gene significantly decreased the expression levels of CD206 and CD163 in M2-TAMs and IL-10,TGF-β,VEGF-A and Arg-1 in cell culture supernatant(P<0.05).②Overexpression of TIA1 gene in M2-TAMs could significantly reduce the migration and invasion ability and the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in BGC-823 cells(P<0.05).③740Y-P could significantly reverse the inhibitory effects of overexpression of TIA1 gene in M2-TAMs on migration,inva-sion and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway of BGC-823 cells.Conclusion:Overexpression of TIA1 gene in M2-TAMs can affect the inva-sion and migration of gastric cancer cells by blocking the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Size and surface modification are the two key factors affecting the effect of macrophages polarization induced by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The smaller the particle size, the better the polarization effect of SPIONs. Besides, the reasonable SPIONs surface modification method can also be used to enhance the polarization effect. In this study, SPIONs was prepared by solvothermal method and optimized by Box-Benhnken center combination design and response surface method. Furthermore, astragalus polysaccharide-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocomplex (APS-SPIONs) was successfully constructed by EDC/NHS esterification method. The structure of APS-SPIONs was confirmed by dynamic light scatter and infrared spectrometer, and the contents of iron and polysaccharide were characterized by spectrophotometry. The effect of APS-SPIONs on inducing mouse macrophages RAW264.7 polarization was investigated by flow cytometry. The RAW264.7 macrophages-HepG2 human hepatoma cancer cells Transwell co-culture system was established to investigate APS-SPIONs improve anti-tumor function of macrophages in vitro, and the proliferation activity of APS-SPIONs on RAW264.7 detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The results showed that the average particle size and zeta potential of APS-SPIONs were (82.93 ± 1.47) nm and (-24.00 ± 0.47) mV. Polysaccharide and Fe content were 8.69% and 7.04%, respectively. APS-SPIONs effectively induced the polarization of RAW264.7 into M1 type in vitro, improving the anti-tumor ability of macrophages in a co-culture system, without effecting the proliferation of macrophages. Our study provides a drug development strategy and preliminary research results to educate macrophages and reshape the tumor immune microenvironment to achieve tumor-killing effects.