Diabetic non-healing wounds become a problem in clinical treatment recent years.Among many new therapeutic methods, the nano biomaterials is considered as the most potential method. Chitosan is the only alkaline polysaccharide in nature. It has many advantages, such as better biocompatibility, degradability, antibacterial, moisture absorption and chemical modification. On this background, we reviewed the biological characteristics of nano chitosan particles and summed up its progress on diabetic wound healing in this article.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism. METHODS: Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. RESULTS: Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin. CONCLUSION Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals ; Psoriasis/chemically induced* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Signal Transduction ; Imiquimod ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Male ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective:To observe the relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3),insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)and cardiac function and short-term prognosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)complicated with heart failure(HF).Methods:102 patients with DCM complicated with HF were selected as study group and they were divided into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group based on prognosis,and 100 patients with simple DCM during the same period were selected as the control group.The cardiac function indicators[left ventricular end systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end diastolic volume(LVEDV)]and serum IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 levels between the control group and the study group were compared.The correlation between cardiac function and IGFBP-3,IGF-1 was analyzed by pearson analysis.The serum IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 leveles between good prognosis group and poor prognosis group were compared,the correlation between prognosis and IGFBP-3,IGF-1 was analyzed by spearman.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the predictive value of serum levels of IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 alone and in combination for the short-term prognosis of DCM complicated with HF patients.Results:Compared with control group,study group had higher LVEDV,LVESV,IGFBP-3,IGF-1,and lower LVEF(P＜0.05).Pearson analysis results showed that,IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 were positively correlated with LVEDV and LVESV,while which was negatively correlated with LVEF(P＜0.05).Compared with good prognosis group,poor prognosis group had higher IGFBP-3,IGF-1(P＜0.05).Spearman correlation analysis results showed that,the levels of IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 were positively correlated with the poor prognosis of DCM complicated with HF patients(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum IGFBP-3,IGF-1 levels,and their combined use for short-term prognosis of DCM complicated with HF patients were 0.715,0.749,and 0.831,respectively.Conclusion:Serum IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 levels are elevated in patients with DCM complicated with HF,and the changes in these two indicators are associated with poor cardiac function and prognosis in patients.The combined detection of IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 levels has a high predictive value for the short-term prognosis of DCM combined with HF.

Objective To explore the effect of rituximab on cellular immunity and cytokines in children with new-onset steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome(SSNS).Methods Clinical data of 60 children with new-onset SSNS treated at Xuzhou Children's Hospital from December 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Children were allocated according to rituximab use into a control group(no rituximab)and an observation group(rituximab).The relapse rate,T-lymphocyte subsets and cytokines before and after treatment,and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between groups.Results The relapse rate was lower in the observation group than in the control group(27%vs 73%,P<0.05).After treatment,CD3+and CD4+T-lymphocyte counts,the CD4+/CD8+ratio,and serum interleukin-2 increased in the observation group and were higher than in the control group(P<0.05).Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels decreased after treatment in the observation group and were lower than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,CD8+T-lymphocyte counts decreased,interferon-γ increased,and interleukin-10 decreased in both groups,with no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions Rituximab can reduce the relapse rate in children with new-onset nephrotic syndrome and shows good safety.Its therapeutic effect is achieved by regulating the number and function of T cells and by modulating the anti-inflammatory effects of cytokines.

Diabetic non-healing wounds become a problem in clinical treatment recent years.Among many new therapeutic methods, the nano biomaterials is considered as the most potential method. Chitosan is the only alkaline polysaccharide in nature. It has many advantages, such as better biocompatibility, degradability, antibacterial, moisture absorption and chemical modification. On this background, we reviewed the biological characteristics of nano chitosan particles and summed up its progress on diabetic wound healing in this article.

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of total extracts from Anthriscus sylvestris on pulmonary hypertension in rats. Sixty male SD rats were divided into normal(NC) group, model(M) group, positive drug sildenafil(Y) group, low-dose A. sylvestris(ES-L) group, medium-dose A. sylvestris(ES-M) group, and high-dose A. sylvestris(ES-H) group. On day 1, rats were intraperitoneally injected with monocrotaline(60 mg·kg~(-1)) to induce pulmonary hypertension, and the rat model was established on day 28. From days 15 to 28, intragastric administration of the respective treatments was performed. After modeling and treatment, small animal echocardiography was used to detect the right heart function of the rats. Arterial blood gas was measured using a blood gas analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were performed to observe cardiopulmonary pathological damage. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis in the lung and myocardial tissues and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels. Western blot was applied to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3(p-Smad3), Smad3, tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) in lung tissue. A blood routine analyzer was used to measure inflammatory immune cell levels in the blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of P-selectin and thromboxane A2(TXA2) in plasma. The results showed that, compared with the NC group, right heart hypertrophy index, right ventricular free wall thickness, right heart internal diameter, partial carbon dioxide pressure(PaCO_2), apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue, and ROS levels were significantly increased in the M group. In contrast, the ratio of pulmonary blood flow acceleration time(PAT)/ejection time(PET), right cardiac output, change rate of right ventricular systolic area, systolic displacement of the tricuspid ring, oxygen partial pressure(PaO_2), and blood oxygen saturation(SaO_2) were significantly decreased in the M group. After administration of the total extract of A. sylvestris, right heart function and blood gas levels were significantly improved, while apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue and ROS levels significantly decreased. Further testing revealed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly decreased the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and PAI-1 proteins in lung tissue, while increasing the expression of t-PA. Additionally, the extract reduced the levels of inflammatory cells such as leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes in the blood, as well as the levels of P-selectin and TXA2 in plasma. Metabolomics results showed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly affected metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. In conclusion, the total extract of A. sylvestris may exert an anti-pulmonary hypertension effect by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating immune-inflammatory responses and thrombosis.
Animals ; Male ; Smad3 Protein/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics* ; Thrombosis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

This study aims to explore the mechanism of lung and gut protection by Tanreqing Capsules on the mice infected with influenza virus based on "the lung-gut axis". A total of 110 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control group, model group, oseltamivir group, and low-and high-dose Tanreqing Capsules groups. Ten mice in each group underwent body weight protection experiments, and the remaining 12 mice underwent experiments for mechanism exploration. Mice were infected with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/08/1934(PR8) via nasal inhalation for the modeling. The lung tissue was collected on day 3 after gavage, and the lung tissue, colon tissue, and feces were collected on day 7 after gavage for subsequent testing. The results showed that Tanreqing Capsules alleviated the body weight reduction and increased the survival rate caused by PR8 infection. Compared with model group, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate the lung injury by reducing the lung index, alleviating inflammation and edema in the lung tissue, down-regulating viral gene expression at the late stage of infection, reducing the percentage of neutrophils, and increasing the percentage of T cells. Tanreqing Capsules relieved the gut injury by restoring the colon length, increasing intestinal lumen mucin secretion, alleviating intestinal inflammation, and reducing goblet cell destruction. The gut microbiota analysis showed that Tanreqing Capsules increased species diversity compared with model group. At the phylum level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, while reducing the abundance of Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria to maintain gut microbiota balance. At the genus level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of unclassified＿f＿Lachnospiraceae while reducing the abundance of Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Phocaeicola to maintain gut microbiota balance. In conclusion, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate mouse lung and gut injury caused by influenza virus infection and restore the balance of gut microbiota. Treating influenza from the lung and gut can provide new ideas for clinical practice.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Lung/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Capsules ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Influenza A virus/physiology* ; Influenza, Human/virology*

This study was aimed at developing an in vitro fluorescent substrate assay for the activity of leucyl aminopeptid-ase(LAP)from Echinococcus multilocularis and comparing it with the chemical chromogenic substrate enzyme activity assay.Through the establishment of reaction conditions for the fluorescent substrate-based in vitro enzyme activity assay,we com-pared the differences between the fluorescent substrate L-Leucine-7-amido-4-methylocoumarin(Leu-AMC)and the chemical chromogenic substrate L-Leucine-4-nitroanilide(Leu-pNA)through molecular docking,inhibition rates,and precision measures.Molecular docking revealed that the fluorescent substrate Leu-AMC had higher affinity for the protein than the chemical chromogenic substrate Leu-pNA.Through analysis of the effects of varying reaction conditions on fluorescence intensi-ty,we optimized the fluorescent substrate enzyme activity assay to demonstrate favorable performance at a reaction temperature of 37℃,a pH of 9.0,a protein concentration of 800 nmol/L,and a reaction duration of 60 minutes.Leu-AMC exhibited significant and distinct responses at a 5 μmol/L substrate concentration,under varying substrate conditions.The fluo-rescent substrate assay demonstrated more significant intergroup differences than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay when various inhibitors were added.This study established a fluorescence-based enzyme activity assay for leucyl aminopeptidase from Echinococcus multilocularis by using Leu-AMC as the substrate;this method demonstrated a more significant intergroup difference and sensitivity than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay.

AIM To investigate the effect of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills on angiogenesis and JAK2/STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway in rats with vascular cognitive impairment(VCI).METHODS Ten of seventy-two male SD rats were randomly selected as sham operation group,and the remaining rats were made VCI rat model by ligation of common carotid artery in stages.Rats after successful modeling were randomly divided into model group,low and high dose groups of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills(13.8 g/kg,27.6 g/kg),nimodipine group(10 mg/kg)and high dose of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills+AG490(JAK2 inhibitor)group(Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills 27.6 g/kg+AG490 3 mg/kg).The samples were taken after 4 weeks of corresponding dose of drugs.Pathological changes in hippocampus were observed by HE staining.Nissl staining was used to observe the loss of neurons in hippocampus.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and VEGF in hippocampus.The ultrastructure of neurons in hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscope.The expression of CD34 was detected by immunofluorescence staining and the microvessel density(MVD)of ischemic penumbra was calculated.RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group,the escape latency of the model group was prolonged(P＜0.01),and the times of crossing the platform were reduced(P＜0.01);neurons in hippocampus were loose in structure and disordered in arrangement;the number of Nissl bodies decreased and the loss was serious;mitochondrial crista dissolved and disappeared,and mitochondrial damage was aggravated;the protein expressions of p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and VEGF in hippocampus increased(P＜0.05);the number of MVD in hippocampus increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of rats in each dose group of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills and nimodipine group were shortened(P＜0.01),and the times of crossing the platform were increased(P＜0.01);the number of hippocampal neurons increased,the morphology was normal,and the disorder degree improved;Nissl's corpuscles were abundant and the loss is reduced;mitochondrial damage was reduced and gradually returned to normal shape;the protein expressions of p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and VEGF in hippocampus increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);the number of MVD in hippocampus increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).AG490 reversed the high-dose effect of Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Tongmai Kaiqiao Pills may promote angiogenesis,reduce neuronal damage and promote the recovery of brain function by activating JAK2/STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway,thus playing an improving role in VCI rats.