AIM:This study aims to investigate the effects of Jiedu-Shengji ointment(JDSJG)on wound healing in diabetic rats by modulating the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway in the context of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups:control group,model group,detoxification muscle ointment group,and sulfadiazine silver cream group.All groups,except the control,were administered an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce diabetes.The control and model groups received daily applications of normal saline,while the detoxification myogen ointment and sulfadiazine silver cream groups received their respective treatments daily.After dressing changes,wounds were bandaged with sterile gauze.Following 14 d of continuous treatment,wound healing was assessed and healing rates calculated.Histopathologi-cal changes in wound tissues were analyzed using HE staining.Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to observe the number,morphology,and swelling of endoplasmic reticulum in the wound tissues.The expression and distribution of PERK,IRE1 and thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)was assessed by immunohistochemistry,while Western blot was used to measure the levels of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),TXNIP and NLRP3.ELISA was conducted to quantify the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18(IL-18)and IL-1β.RE-SULTS:After 14 d of intervention,significant differences were observed in wound tissue parameters across the groups.The model group exhibited a significantly lower wound healing rate compared to the control group(P<0.01),with in-creased wound exudation,poor granulation tissue growth,and elevated the protein levels of PERK,IRE1,TXNIP,CHOP,NLRP3 and ASC(P<0.01),as well as significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01).In contrast,the detoxification muscle ointment group showed a marked improvement in wound healing rate(P<0.01),reduced inflamma-tory exudation,improved granulation tissue growth,and significant decreases in TXNIP expression(P<0.01),along with lower levels of PERK,IRE1,CHOP,ASC and NLRP3(P<0.01).Additionally,the IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Jiedu Shengji ointment alleviates excessive ERS and mitigates chronic inflammato-ry responses,thereby promoting the healing of diabetic wounds.These effects may be attributed to the inhibition of exces-sive activation of the PERK/IRE1/NLRP3 pathway.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the effects of Jiedu-Shengji ointment(JDSJG)on wound healing in diabetic rats by modulating the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway in the context of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups:control group,model group,detoxification muscle ointment group,and sulfadiazine silver cream group.All groups,except the control,were administered an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce diabetes.The control and model groups received daily applications of normal saline,while the detoxification myogen ointment and sulfadiazine silver cream groups received their respective treatments daily.After dressing changes,wounds were bandaged with sterile gauze.Following 14 d of continuous treatment,wound healing was assessed and healing rates calculated.Histopathologi-cal changes in wound tissues were analyzed using HE staining.Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to observe the number,morphology,and swelling of endoplasmic reticulum in the wound tissues.The expression and distribution of PERK,IRE1 and thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)was assessed by immunohistochemistry,while Western blot was used to measure the levels of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),TXNIP and NLRP3.ELISA was conducted to quantify the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-18(IL-18)and IL-1β.RE-SULTS:After 14 d of intervention,significant differences were observed in wound tissue parameters across the groups.The model group exhibited a significantly lower wound healing rate compared to the control group(P<0.01),with in-creased wound exudation,poor granulation tissue growth,and elevated the protein levels of PERK,IRE1,TXNIP,CHOP,NLRP3 and ASC(P<0.01),as well as significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01).In contrast,the detoxification muscle ointment group showed a marked improvement in wound healing rate(P<0.01),reduced inflamma-tory exudation,improved granulation tissue growth,and significant decreases in TXNIP expression(P<0.01),along with lower levels of PERK,IRE1,CHOP,ASC and NLRP3(P<0.01).Additionally,the IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Jiedu Shengji ointment alleviates excessive ERS and mitigates chronic inflammato-ry responses,thereby promoting the healing of diabetic wounds.These effects may be attributed to the inhibition of exces-sive activation of the PERK/IRE1/NLRP3 pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Wenyang Shengji Ointment （温阳生肌膏， WSO） in the treatment of diabetic wounds with yin syndrome. MethodsA total of 24 SD rats were randomly divided into a group （n=6） and modeling group （n=18）. The modeling group rats were fed with high-fat diet for 14 days and then were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to induce diabetic model. After steroid injection， full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of the rats to establish a diabetic wound with yin syndrome model. The normal group was fed with regular diet， and full-thickness skin defects were created surgically on the back of the rats. The 18 successfully modeled rats were further divided into three groups， the model group， the WSO group， and the Beifuxin （Recombinant Bovine Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Gel， BX） group， 6 rats in each group. The WSO group was given the ointment to the wound， the Beifuxin group was givne BX gel， and the normal group and model group was disinfected and treated with saline. All groups had their dressings changed once daily for 14 days. Wound healing was recorded on days 0， 3， 7， and 14， and the wound healing rate was calculated on day 3， 7， and 14. On day 14 after treatment， HE staining was performed to observe the pathological morphology of the wound tissue. Western Blot was used to detect the relative protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Immunofluorescence was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α in the wound tissue， and ELISA was used to detect the methylglyoxal （MGO） content in the wound tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed poor wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with a low wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. HE staining showed scab coverage on the wound， with inflammatory cell infiltration and disorganized collagen arrangement. The relative protein levels of VEGF were significantly reduced， while the relative protein levels of HIF-1α and the MGO content significantly increased （P＜0.01）， and the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α was enhanced. Compared to the model group， the WSO group and Beifuxin group showed better wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with an increased wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. The wound tissue showed clear and complete epithelial structure， reduced inflammatory cells， mature granulation tissue， and organized collagen arrangement. MGO content was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. The relative protein levels of HIF-1α and VEGF both significantly increased in the WSO group， while only VEGF increased in the Beifuxin group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the Beifuxin group， the WSO group had a thicker epidermal layer， prominent collagen formation， significantly increased HIF-1α fluorescence expression， reduced MGO content in the wound tissue， and higher relative protein levels of HIF-1α （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWSO can reduce the accumulation of MGO in diabetic wound tissue with yin syndrome and activate the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway， which could be one of the mechanisms for promoting wound healing.

Objective To investigate the effects of cinnamic aldehyde(CA)on Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer(Bak)in vascular endothelial cells of diabetic ulcer wound tissues,as well as on cell apoptosis.Methods ① Forty-eight healthy SPF-grade male SD rats(5 weeks old,weighing 180～220 g)were randomly assigned to a control group(12 rats)and a diabetes group(36 rats).The diabetic model was established with an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg STZ-citrate sodium solution and high-fat diet feeding.The diabetes group was further randomly divided into Model group,CA group,and the rb-bFGF group,with 12 animals in each group.Wounds in the Con and Model groups were disinfected and topically treated with normal saline,CA group received topical application of 4 μmol/L CA in PEG 400 gel,and those of the rb-bFGF group were treated with bevacizumab gel.The wound healing rate of each group was calculated at 3,7 and 14 d after intervention.At 14 d after intervention,pathological changes in the wounds were observed with HE staining,and the expression levels of Bax and Bak were detected by Western blotting.② Human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy926 was treated with 175 mmol/L glucose for 48 h to establish a cell model of high glucose injury.The experimental cells were divided into control group,model group and CA treatment group.Cell scratch test and tube formation test were performed respectively to determine the migration ability and angiogenesis of the cells.The expression levels of Bax and Bak was detected with immunofluorescence assay,and cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.Results ①The diabetic rats in the Model group exhibited significantly higher blood glucose level(P<0.05),declined wound healing rate at 7 and 14 d after intervention(P<0.05),and enhanced expression levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05)when compared with the control group.Pathological observation revealed that,at 14 d after intervention,accompanied with inflammatory reactions,dense infiltration of inflammatory cells,fewer new blood vessels,and continuous fluid exudation in the wound were observed in the Model group,but the control group presented complete epithelialization in full-thickness skin.Compared with the conditions in the Model group,both CA and rb-bFGF treatment improved the epithelialization process,with mature granulation tissues,showing good healing condition,promoted wound healing rate(P<0.05),and decreased the expression levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05).② The results of cell experiments showed that the cells of the model group showed significantly reduced migration ability and tube formation ability(P<0.05),reduced protein levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05),and lower apoptotic rate(P<0.05)when compared with the cells in the model group.Conclusion CA can inhibit the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bak,promote the migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells,and inhibit the cell apoptosis under high glucose condition,which may be an important reason for its promoting wound healing in diabetic ulcer rats.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between long-term statin use and Helicobacter pylori( Hp)infection in the elderly, and to compare the effects of rosuvastatin combined with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Hp eradication on lipid levels in elderly patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 181 elderly patients with hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and peripheral arterial disease who were treated at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between March 2019 and December 2023.According to the results of carbon 14 urea breath test(C 14-UBT), the subjects were divided into the Hp infection group and the non- Hp infection group.Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to analyze the correlation between Hp infection and statin use.A prospective case-control analysis was conducted on 109 patients with mixed hyperlipidemia and Hp infection treated during the same period, they were treated with rosuvastatin combined with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Hp eradication.The successful eradication people were selected as the eradication group (n=95). Patients with hyperlipidemia and Hp infection unwilling eradication was selected as the control group (n=109), and treated with rosuvastatin.Changes in lipid levels were compared over a consecutive 6-month period. Results:The overall Hp infection rate was 53.94%(637/1 181). Univariate analysis showed that the infection rate in women was higher than in men.Body mass index(BMI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels in the Hp(+ )group were higher than in the Hp(-)group.Long-term low-dose aspirin users had a higher infection rate than non-users.The infection rate was lower in statin users than in non-users[42.65%(374/877) vs.55.59%(169/304), χ2=15.234, P<0.001]. Multivariate analysis showed that women had a higher infection risk than men ( OR=1.441, 95% CI: 1.102-1.729, P=0.011). Higher FBG and LDL-C levels increased the risk of Hp infection ( OR=1.406, 95% CI: 1.271-2.286, P<0.001, OR=1.118, 95% CI: 1.017-1.387, P=0.010). Aspirin use increased the risk of Hp infection( OR=1.162, 95% CI: 1.034-1.294, P=0.021), while statin use reduced the risk of Hp infection ( OR=0.177, 95% CI: 0.018-0.311, P<0.001). The Hp eradication rate was 87.16%(95/109). At 1-and 2-months post-eradication, statistically significant differences were observed between the eradication and control groups in LDL-C, total cholesterol(TC), changes from baseline, and target achievement rates(all P<0.05). At 1-month post-eradication, a statistically significant difference was observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) levels between the two groups.Additionally, at both 1-and 2-months post-eradication, significant differences were found in the changes in HDL-C levels from baseline between the eradication group and the control group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Long-term statin use in the elderly may reduce the risk of Hp infection.Rosuvastatin combined with a standard quadruple therapy does not improve the Hp eradication rates in elderly patients with mixed hyperlipidemia, but it facilitates short-term achievement of cholesterol targets.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between long-term statin use and Helicobacter pylori( Hp)infection in the elderly, and to compare the effects of rosuvastatin combined with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Hp eradication on lipid levels in elderly patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 181 elderly patients with hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and peripheral arterial disease who were treated at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between March 2019 and December 2023.According to the results of carbon 14 urea breath test(C 14-UBT), the subjects were divided into the Hp infection group and the non- Hp infection group.Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to analyze the correlation between Hp infection and statin use.A prospective case-control analysis was conducted on 109 patients with mixed hyperlipidemia and Hp infection treated during the same period, they were treated with rosuvastatin combined with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Hp eradication.The successful eradication people were selected as the eradication group (n=95). Patients with hyperlipidemia and Hp infection unwilling eradication was selected as the control group (n=109), and treated with rosuvastatin.Changes in lipid levels were compared over a consecutive 6-month period. Results:The overall Hp infection rate was 53.94%(637/1 181). Univariate analysis showed that the infection rate in women was higher than in men.Body mass index(BMI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels in the Hp(+ )group were higher than in the Hp(-)group.Long-term low-dose aspirin users had a higher infection rate than non-users.The infection rate was lower in statin users than in non-users[42.65%(374/877) vs.55.59%(169/304), χ2=15.234, P<0.001]. Multivariate analysis showed that women had a higher infection risk than men ( OR=1.441, 95% CI: 1.102-1.729, P=0.011). Higher FBG and LDL-C levels increased the risk of Hp infection ( OR=1.406, 95% CI: 1.271-2.286, P<0.001, OR=1.118, 95% CI: 1.017-1.387, P=0.010). Aspirin use increased the risk of Hp infection( OR=1.162, 95% CI: 1.034-1.294, P=0.021), while statin use reduced the risk of Hp infection ( OR=0.177, 95% CI: 0.018-0.311, P<0.001). The Hp eradication rate was 87.16%(95/109). At 1-and 2-months post-eradication, statistically significant differences were observed between the eradication and control groups in LDL-C, total cholesterol(TC), changes from baseline, and target achievement rates(all P<0.05). At 1-month post-eradication, a statistically significant difference was observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) levels between the two groups.Additionally, at both 1-and 2-months post-eradication, significant differences were found in the changes in HDL-C levels from baseline between the eradication group and the control group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Long-term statin use in the elderly may reduce the risk of Hp infection.Rosuvastatin combined with a standard quadruple therapy does not improve the Hp eradication rates in elderly patients with mixed hyperlipidemia, but it facilitates short-term achievement of cholesterol targets.

AIM:To study the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)using the glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78)/CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein(CHOP)pathway and explore the related mech-anism of Wenyang-Shengji ointment in facilitating the repair of diabetic refractory wounds.METHODS:To establish a rat model of diabetic refractory wound repair,Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were fed a high-fat diet and intraperitoneally in-jected with streptozotocin.Subsequently,full-thickness skin defects were induced in the dorsal region of the rats.The ex-periment included 4 groups:normal,model(diabetic refractory wounds),Wenyang-Shengji ointment,and Beifuxin(re-combinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor gel)groups.The normal and model groups were treated with normal saline after disinfection.In the Wenyang-Shengji ointment and Beifuxin groups,the wounds were topically treated with the re-spective ointments once daily.After 14 d of treatment,wound healing was assessed and quantified using the wound healing rate.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed to examine the micromorphology of the wound tissue.Western blot analysis was performed to measure GRP78,CHOP and caspase-12 levels in the wound tissue.Immunohistochemical analy-sis was used to detect the expression and distribution patterns of GRP78,CHOP and caspase-12 in the wounds.Transmis-sion electron microscopy was used to observe reticulum numbers and swelling.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine interleukin-1β(IL-1β)level as a pro-inflammatory factor within the wound.RESULTS:Indexes of each group were assessed 14 d after the corresponding intervention.Compared with normal group,the rats in model group exhibited a significant decrease in the wound healing rate(P＜0.01),accompanied by increased inflammatory exudation and poor granulation tissue growth.Additionally,there were increases in the expression levels of GRP78,CHOP and cas-pase-12 proteins(P＜0.01),as well as a significant elevation in the content of inflammatory factor IL-1β(P＜0.01).In contrast,compared with model group,treatment with Wenyang-Shengji ointment resulted in a significant improvement in wound healing rate(P＜0.01),reduction in inflammatory exudation,and enhanced granulation tissue growth(P＜0.01).Furthermore,there was a notable decrease in the protein expression of GRP78/CHOP/caspase-12 within the wound tissue following treatment with Wenyang-Shengji ointment(P＜0.01).The levels of inflammatory factor IL-1β also showed a sig-nificant decrease(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Wenyang-Shengji promotes the healing of diabetic refractory wounds,which may be associated with the downregulation of the GRP78/CHOP pathway,inhibition of excessive ERS,and reduc-tion in the level of wound cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the tumor suppressing effect of Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin via ERK-mediated C-Myc/PD-L1 phase-coordinated pathway on H22 hepatocellular carcinoma tumor-bearing mice and its mechanism.Meth-ods:In 60 SPF-grade male Kunming mice,10 mice were taken as blank group by random number table method,and the other 50 mice were replicated as H22 hepatocellular carcinoma tumor-bearing mouse model.After successful replication of the model,the model mice were randomly divided into model group,cisplatin group[2.5×10-3 g/(kg·3 d)],Shenqi Yiliu decoction low[13.515 g/(kg·d)],me-dium[27.03 g/(kg·d-1)],and high dose[27.030 g/(kg·d)]combined with cisplatin group[2.5×10-3 g/(kg·3 d)],10 mice in each group were treated for 13 d.After 24 h of the last dose,the mice were anesthetized and sacrificed,and the tumor inhibition rate,spleen index and thymus index of each drug group were determined;HE staining was performed to observe the histopathological changes of tumor in mice;ELISA kit was used to detect the contents of EGF and IFN-γ in tumor tissue homogenate;p-ERK1/2,C-Myc and PD-L1 protein expression in tumor tissue were detected by IHC and Western blot;ERK,C-Myc and PD-L1 mRNA expression levels in tumor tissue were detected by RT-PCR.Results:Compared with blank group,the average body mass and spleen index of mice in model group were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the tumor inhibition effect of each treatment group was obvious,and Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin group inhibited tumor growth in liver cancer mice in a dose-dependent way,im-proved the average body mass,spleen index and thymus index of mice,promoted the necrosis of tumor cells and increased the necrotic area.EGF and IFN-γ contents,P-ERK1/2,C-Myc,PD-L1 protein expressions and ERK,C-Myc,PD-L1 mRNA expression levels were decreased in tumor tissues(P<0.05).Compared with cisplatin group,the therapeutic effect of Shenqi decoction combined with cisplatin in medium and high dose groups was significant,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin effectively inhibited the tumor growth of H22 liver cancer tumor-bearing mice and significantly reduces the expression of C-Myc and PD-L1 proteins in the tumor tissues,which may be through the regulation of ERK signaling path-way-related protein expression to exert tumor suppressive effect.

AIM:To investigate the effects of the compound ANBP on wound healing in diabetic rats and ex-plore its mechanism of action.METHODS:Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into blank,model,compound ANBP,Beifuxin,and nicotinamide mononucleotide(NMN)groups,with 16 rats in each group.Wound healing in each group was observed and samples were taken on days 3,7 and 14 to analyze the wound healing rate.Local histopathological changes were observed using HE and Masson staining.The expressions of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit alpha 1(PDHA1),citrate synthase(CS),isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH1)and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase(OGDH)were de-tected through immunofluorescence and Western blot.The number and morphology of mitochondria in the wound tissue were observed using transmission electron microscopy.RESULTS:Histomorphological changes revealed significant im-provement in diabetic wound healing in the blank and compound ANBP groups compared to that of the model group.The wound healing rates of the blank,compound ANBP,Beifuxin,and NMN groups were significantly increased on days 3,7,and 14(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,granulation tissue generation was higher in the other groups,cover-ing the wound defect and producing abundant collagen fibers.At 3,7,and 14 days after intervention,the blank,com-pound ANBP,Beifuxin,and NMN groups showed significantly enhanced fluorescence intensities of TCA cycling-related enzymes PDHA1,CS,IDH1,and OGDH indicating increased expression of these enzymes.The levels of the TCA cy-cling-related enzymes were significantly increased(P<0.01)in the compound ANBP,Beifuxin and NMN groups but were significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the model group.An increase in the number and density of mitochondria and a de-crease in the cavitation rate of mitochondria with improved morphology(P<0.05)was observed in the group treated with compound ANBP.CONCLUSION:Compound ANBP may increase the number of mitochondria,improve mitochondrial morphology and function,upregulate the expression levels of PDHA1,CS,IDH1,and OGDH proteins,and accelerate the regeneration of wound granulation tissue,thus promoting the healing of diabetic wounds in rats.