T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.

In recent years, the reform of the registration, evaluation, and approval system for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been promoted at the national level, with establishment of an evaluation evidence system for TCM registration that combines TCM theory, human use experience, and clinical trials(known as the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system). This system, which aligns with the characteristics of TCM clinical practice and the laws of TCM research and development, recognizes the unique value of human use experience in medicine and returns to the essence of medicine as an applied science, thus receiving widespread recognition from both academia and industry. However, it meanwhile poses new and higher challenges. This article delves into the value and challenges faced by the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system from three perspectives: registration management, medical institutions, and the TCM industry. Furthermore, it discusses how the China Association of Chinese Medicine, leveraging its academic platform advantages and leading roles, has made exploratory and practical efforts to facilitate the research and development of new TCM drugs and the implementation of the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drug Development

Objective To analyze the epidemiological distribution,microbiological characteristics,drug-resistance status,and risk factors for mortality in adult intensive care unit(ICU)patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.Methods This multi-center prospective cohort study included ICU patients with suspected infection from 67 hospitals across 16 Chinese provinces/municipalities between July 1,2021 and December 31,2022.Clinical data and microbiological results were collected,and patients were divided into survival and non-survival groups according to their survival status and drug-resistance situation.Risk factors for mortality and drug resistance in ICU patients with Klebsiella pneumonia infection were determined through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results A total of 2964 ICU-infected patients were enrolled,with 12 175 microbial specimens submitted for testing.Among these,487 specimens tested positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae.Ultimately,314 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection were identified,primarily from lung infections,with a drug-resistance rate of 78.3%.The in-hospital mortality rate of ICU patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae was 19.8%.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that older age(P=0.027),high drug-resistance rate(P=0.028),and low clinical-effectiveness rate(P<0.001)were independent risk factors for mortality in ICU patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae.Drug-resistance analysis showed that,compared with non-resistant cases,ICU patients with drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection had lower pathogen-clearance rates(P=0.003),clinical-effectiveness rates(P=0.004),and antibiotic-effectiveness rates(P<0.010),and higher mortality rates(P=0.006).Patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae abdominal infection(P=0.003)and urinary tract infection(P=0.007)had higher drug-resistance incidences.There were no statistically significant differences in clinical-effectiveness rate,Klebsiella pneumoniae clearance,drug-resistance incidence,mortality rate,or hospital-stay length between patients with lung infection and those with non-lung infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae(P>0.05).Compared with patients with non-bloodstream infection,patients with bloodstream infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae had lower clinical-effectiveness rates(P=0.027)and higher mortality rates(P=0.021).Conclusions Older age,high drug-resistance rate,and low clinical-effectiveness rate are independent risk factors for mortality in ICU patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae.ICU patients with bloodstream infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae may have lower clinical-effectiveness rates and higher mortality rates.ICU patients with abdominal and urinary tract infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae are more likely to develop drug resistance.

Objective:To explore the neurophysiological features of the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in patients with early-stage bipolar disorder without manic or hypomanic episodes, and its role in identifying early-stage bipolar disorder.Methods:From 2009 to 2019, a total of 155 hospitalized patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) from Nanjing Brain Hospital were selected after at least 5 years of follow-up, 31 patients with depression transitioned to bipolar disorder(ctBD group) and 76 patients remained the diagnosis of MDD(MDD group) were recruited.Sixty-two healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education years were selected as control group(HC group). Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) data in eyes-open state of all subjects were collected.Data were analyzed based on the fieldtrip toolkit on the MATLAB platform. The key brain area of the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit were selected. Inter-group statistical analysis were conducted on the spectral energy and power-correlated functional connectivity at the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands in the brain area of interest. In addition, the prediction model was constructed to early recognize bipolar disorder.Results:(1)There were statistically significant differences in the spectral energy of theta and alpha frequency bands in the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit among the 3 groups (cluster- F=120.50, 112.39, both P<0.05). The spectral energy of theta and alpha frequency bands in interest brain regions of prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in MDD group was lower than that in HC group (cluster- t=89.52, P<0.05). The spectral energy of theta band in prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in ctBD group was lower than that in HC group(cluster- t=105.82, P<0.05), and the spectral energy of alpha band in inferior frontal gyrus, orbitofrontal gyrus and caudate nucleus was lower than that in HC group (cluster- t=75.78, P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the MDD group and the ctBD group ( P>0.05).(2)After FDR correction, there were statistically significant differences in functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum among the three groups (0.26 (0.13, 0.34), 0.12 (0.09, 0.24), 0.27 (0.20, 0.37), H=13.51, P<0.05, FDR correction). The strength of functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum in the MDD group was weaker than that in the HC group and the ctBD group (all P<0.05).(3)Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the functional connectivity of beta frequency band between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum ( B=1.50, OR=4.50, 95% CI=1.73-11.70), the functional connectivity between the right orbitofrontal gyrus and the right amygdala( B=0.98, OR=2.68, 95% CI=1.18-6.13), the total HAMD score ( B=0.80, OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.36-3.67), the body weight factor score ( B=-1.99, OR=0.14, 95% CI=0.04-0.45), the anxiety factor score ( B=-0.99, OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.19-0.71), and sleep factor score( B=-1.14, OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.16-0.65)were the influencing factors for depression transitioned to bipolar disorder. Conclusion:The decreased resting low-frequency energy in the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit may be the common neural basis for the onset of unipolar and bipolar depression, and enhanced functional connectivity may be a potential neural circuit mechanism for depression transitioned to bipolar disorder. Functional connectivity combined with clinical manifestations is helpful for early recognition of bipolar disorder.

Objective:This study aims to analyze the gamma band effective connectivity characteristics of the prefrontal-striatal circuitry in bipolar disorder patients with and without a history of manic episodes, as well as in major depressive disorder patients, during the recognition of positive emotional faces, this study aims to identify unique neurophysiological features that may aid in the early detection of bipolar disorder.Methods:This retrospective study collected clinical data and magnetoencephalography (MEG) imaging data from patients performing a positive emotional face recognition task at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2009 to December 2019. The study included 75 patients with major depressive disorder and 29 patients with bipolar disorder in a depressive episode (rBD group). Concurrently, 39 age-and gender-matched healthy controls (HC group) were recruited. After a follow-up period of at least 5 years, 23 out of the 75 patients with major depressive disorder converted to bipolar disorder (ctBD group), while the remaining 52 who did not convert maintained a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.Results:There were statistically significant differences in gamma-band effective connectivity in the prefrontal-striatal circuit when recognizing positive emotional faces among the converted to bipolar disorder (ctBD), raw bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and HC groups ( H=9.04, 10.30, 8.30, 13.43, 14.38, 12.62, 9.82, 8.94, 24.62, 7.89, 18.53, 9.97, 9.58, 12.79, P<0.05). The ctBD group, rBD group, and major depressive group all showed reduction in effective connectivity from the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus (ORBinf.R) to the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus (ORBinf.L) [ Z=-1.98, -3.38, -2.88], from the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus to the right ventral striatum (VS.R) ( Z=-2.05, -2.76, -2.11; P<0.05) and from the left ventral striatum (VS.L) to the left orbital middle frontal gyrus (ORBmid.L) ( Z=-2.76, -1.98, -2.43; P<0.05). Among the disease groups, the ctBD group showed significantly enhanced effective connectivity strength compared to the major depressive group from the right amygdala (AMYG.R) to the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus(0.04(0.03, 0.08)), from the right amygdala to the left ventral striatum(0.05(0.03, 0.09)), and from the right ventral striatum to the right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri (ACG.R) (0.04(0.02, 0.08)) ( Z=4.17, 3.70, 3.35; P<0.001).The ctBD group also exhibited enhanced effective connectivity compared to the rBD group from ORBinf.R to the ACG.R, fron the AMYG.R to the ORBinf.L, from the AMYG.R to the VS.L, and from the VS.R to the ACG.R ( Z=2.05, 4.61, 3.60, 3.04; P<0.05).The rBD group demonstrated reduced effective connectivity compared to the major depressive disorder group from the right orbital middle frontal gyrus(ORBmid.R) to the left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri (ACG.L), ORBinf.R to the ACG.R and from the ORBinf.R to the AMYG.R ( Z=-2.12, -2.40, -2.22; P<0.05). Conclusion:There are significant differences in the gamma-band effective connectivity characteristics of the prefrontal-striatal pathway when recognizing positive emotional faces between patients with bipolar disorder in depressive episodes and those with depression, as well as differences between bipolar depressed patients with and without a history of manic episodes.

Objective:To explore the neurophysiological features of the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in patients with early-stage bipolar disorder without manic or hypomanic episodes, and its role in identifying early-stage bipolar disorder.Methods:From 2009 to 2019, a total of 155 hospitalized patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) from Nanjing Brain Hospital were selected after at least 5 years of follow-up, 31 patients with depression transitioned to bipolar disorder(ctBD group) and 76 patients remained the diagnosis of MDD(MDD group) were recruited.Sixty-two healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education years were selected as control group(HC group). Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) data in eyes-open state of all subjects were collected.Data were analyzed based on the fieldtrip toolkit on the MATLAB platform. The key brain area of the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit were selected. Inter-group statistical analysis were conducted on the spectral energy and power-correlated functional connectivity at the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands in the brain area of interest. In addition, the prediction model was constructed to early recognize bipolar disorder.Results:(1)There were statistically significant differences in the spectral energy of theta and alpha frequency bands in the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit among the 3 groups (cluster- F=120.50, 112.39, both P<0.05). The spectral energy of theta and alpha frequency bands in interest brain regions of prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in MDD group was lower than that in HC group (cluster- t=89.52, P<0.05). The spectral energy of theta band in prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit in ctBD group was lower than that in HC group(cluster- t=105.82, P<0.05), and the spectral energy of alpha band in inferior frontal gyrus, orbitofrontal gyrus and caudate nucleus was lower than that in HC group (cluster- t=75.78, P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the MDD group and the ctBD group ( P>0.05).(2)After FDR correction, there were statistically significant differences in functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum among the three groups (0.26 (0.13, 0.34), 0.12 (0.09, 0.24), 0.27 (0.20, 0.37), H=13.51, P<0.05, FDR correction). The strength of functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum in the MDD group was weaker than that in the HC group and the ctBD group (all P<0.05).(3)Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the functional connectivity of beta frequency band between the left orbitofrontal gyrus and the right ventral striatum ( B=1.50, OR=4.50, 95% CI=1.73-11.70), the functional connectivity between the right orbitofrontal gyrus and the right amygdala( B=0.98, OR=2.68, 95% CI=1.18-6.13), the total HAMD score ( B=0.80, OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.36-3.67), the body weight factor score ( B=-1.99, OR=0.14, 95% CI=0.04-0.45), the anxiety factor score ( B=-0.99, OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.19-0.71), and sleep factor score( B=-1.14, OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.16-0.65)were the influencing factors for depression transitioned to bipolar disorder. Conclusion:The decreased resting low-frequency energy in the prefrontal-limbic-striatal circuit may be the common neural basis for the onset of unipolar and bipolar depression, and enhanced functional connectivity may be a potential neural circuit mechanism for depression transitioned to bipolar disorder. Functional connectivity combined with clinical manifestations is helpful for early recognition of bipolar disorder.

Objective:This study aims to analyze the gamma band effective connectivity characteristics of the prefrontal-striatal circuitry in bipolar disorder patients with and without a history of manic episodes, as well as in major depressive disorder patients, during the recognition of positive emotional faces, this study aims to identify unique neurophysiological features that may aid in the early detection of bipolar disorder.Methods:This retrospective study collected clinical data and magnetoencephalography (MEG) imaging data from patients performing a positive emotional face recognition task at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2009 to December 2019. The study included 75 patients with major depressive disorder and 29 patients with bipolar disorder in a depressive episode (rBD group). Concurrently, 39 age-and gender-matched healthy controls (HC group) were recruited. After a follow-up period of at least 5 years, 23 out of the 75 patients with major depressive disorder converted to bipolar disorder (ctBD group), while the remaining 52 who did not convert maintained a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.Results:There were statistically significant differences in gamma-band effective connectivity in the prefrontal-striatal circuit when recognizing positive emotional faces among the converted to bipolar disorder (ctBD), raw bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and HC groups ( H=9.04, 10.30, 8.30, 13.43, 14.38, 12.62, 9.82, 8.94, 24.62, 7.89, 18.53, 9.97, 9.58, 12.79, P<0.05). The ctBD group, rBD group, and major depressive group all showed reduction in effective connectivity from the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus (ORBinf.R) to the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus (ORBinf.L) [ Z=-1.98, -3.38, -2.88], from the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus to the right ventral striatum (VS.R) ( Z=-2.05, -2.76, -2.11; P<0.05) and from the left ventral striatum (VS.L) to the left orbital middle frontal gyrus (ORBmid.L) ( Z=-2.76, -1.98, -2.43; P<0.05). Among the disease groups, the ctBD group showed significantly enhanced effective connectivity strength compared to the major depressive group from the right amygdala (AMYG.R) to the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus(0.04(0.03, 0.08)), from the right amygdala to the left ventral striatum(0.05(0.03, 0.09)), and from the right ventral striatum to the right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri (ACG.R) (0.04(0.02, 0.08)) ( Z=4.17, 3.70, 3.35; P<0.001).The ctBD group also exhibited enhanced effective connectivity compared to the rBD group from ORBinf.R to the ACG.R, fron the AMYG.R to the ORBinf.L, from the AMYG.R to the VS.L, and from the VS.R to the ACG.R ( Z=2.05, 4.61, 3.60, 3.04; P<0.05).The rBD group demonstrated reduced effective connectivity compared to the major depressive disorder group from the right orbital middle frontal gyrus(ORBmid.R) to the left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri (ACG.L), ORBinf.R to the ACG.R and from the ORBinf.R to the AMYG.R ( Z=-2.12, -2.40, -2.22; P<0.05). Conclusion:There are significant differences in the gamma-band effective connectivity characteristics of the prefrontal-striatal pathway when recognizing positive emotional faces between patients with bipolar disorder in depressive episodes and those with depression, as well as differences between bipolar depressed patients with and without a history of manic episodes.

Aim To establish a gait analysis system based on DeepLabCut(DLC)algorithm for evaluating motor function in aged mice.Methods Based on DLC algorithm in deep learning technology,treadmill device and fully closed design were used in the system,including software and hardware.This system was applied to evaluate gait characteristics of mice due to aging un-der different movement modes.Correlation analysis was used to explore the effects of body weight and body length on gait indica-tors.Results This system realized the synchronous analysis of three-dimensional gait(lateral and ventral plane)of mice at specific gait speed,and automatically quantified 47 gait indica-tors.Using this system,it was found that during walking(15 cm·s-1),the standard deviation of body turning angle decreased,forelimb sway duration,standard deviation of knee angle,mean outward angles of left and right hind paw increased in 8 and 15 month-old mice,compared with 2-month-old mice.However,15-month-old mice showed decreased walking frequency,and in-creased stride width,total duration of double support,and knee extension and contraction distance.In addition,at trot(20 cm·s-1),15-month-old mice were unable to walk steadily,and 8-month-old mice had increased total duration of double support and mean outward angles of left hind paw,compared with 2-month-old mice.Correlation analysis revealed that indicators like walking frequency,stride width,forelimb sway duration,total duration of double support,standard deviation of knee an-gle,knee extension and contraction distance,were not affected by changes in body weight and body length.Conclusions The gait analysis system based on DLC algorithm can achieve a more sensitive,accurate and comprehensive evaluation of the gait of aged mice,distinguishing the gait characteristics of aged mice to maintain gait stability,and selecting behavioral indicators that better reflect the gait changes of aged mice.It provides a meth-odological basis for more effective assessment of efficacy and side effects of drugs for anti-aging and anti-decline of motor coordina-tion in the future.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) in the treatment of persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: A randomized, double blind, multi-center trial was conducted. A total of 688 patients with clinically and pathologically confirmed HR-HPV infection of the cervix diagnosed in 13 hispital nationwide were recruited and divided into: (1) patients with simple HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (2) patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ and HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (3) patients with the same HR-HPV subtype with no CINⅡ and more lesions after treatment with CINⅡ or CIN Ⅲ (CINⅡ/CIN Ⅲ). All participants were randomly divided into the test group and the control group at a ratio of 2∶1. The test group was locally treated with Nr-CWS freeze-dried powder and the control group was treated with freeze-dried powder without Nr-CWS. The efficacy and negative conversion rate of various subtypes of HR-HPV were evaluated at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment. The safety indicators of initial diagnosis and treatment were observed. Results: (1) This study included 555 patients with HR-HPV infection in the cervix (included 368 in the test group and 187 in the control group), with an age of (44.1±10.0) years. The baseline characteristics of the two groups of subjects, including age, proportion of Han people, weight, composition of HR-HPV subtypes, and proportion of each subgroup, were compared with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (2) After 12 months of treatment, the effective rates of the test group and the control group were 91.0% (335/368) and 44.9% (84/187), respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=142.520, P<0.001). After 12 months of treatment, the negative conversion rates of HPV 16, 18, 52, and 58 infection in the test group were 79.2% (84/106), 73.3% (22/30), 83.1% (54/65), and 77.4% (48/62), respectively. The control group were 21.6% (11/51), 1/9, 35.1% (13/37), and 20.0% (8/40), respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.001). (3) There were no statistically significant differences in vital signs (body weight, body temperature, respiration, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, etc.) and laboratory routine indicators (blood cell analysis, urine routine examination) between the test group and the control group before treatment and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment (all P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions related to the investigational drug between the two groups of subjects [8.7% (32/368) vs 8.0% (15/187), respectively; χ²=0.073, P=0.787]. Conclusion: External use of Nr-CWS has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of high-risk HPV persistent infection in the cervix.
Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cervix Uteri/pathology* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology* ; Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis* ; Cell Wall Skeleton ; Persistent Infection ; Powders ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/pathology* ; Immunotherapy ; Papillomaviridae

Protective effect of Qilong Capsules(QL) on the myocardial fibrosis and blood circulation of rats with coronary heart disease of Qi deficiency and blood stasis type was investigated. Sleep deprivation and coronary artery ligation were used to construct a disease-symptom combination model, and 60 SD rats were divided into sham operation(sham) group, syndrome(S) group, disease and syndrome(M) group and QL group randomly. The treatment group received administration of QL 0.4 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1). Other groups were given the same amount of normal saline. The disease indexes of each group [left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVESD), left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular axis shortening rate(LVFS), myocardial histopathology, platelet morphology, peripheral blood flow] and syndrome indexes(tongue color, pulse, grip power) were detected. In sham group, cardiomyocytes and myocardial fibers were arranged neatly and densely with clear structures. The tongues' color in sham were light red, and the pulse shape were regular. RGB is a parameter reflected the brightness of the image of the tongue. In the S group, the amplitude and frequency of the animal's pulse increased accompanied by decreasing R,G,B, however, the decreased R,G,B was accompanied by reduced pulse amplitude in M group. And in M group, we observed fuzzy cell morphology, hypertrophied myocytes, disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes and myocardial fibers, reduced peripheral blood flow and increased collagen volume fraction(CVF). Increased LVESD and LVEDD, and decreased LVEF and LVFS represented cardiac function in S group was significantly lower than that in sham. In QL group, the tongue's color was red and the pulse was smooth. The myocardial fibers of the QL group were arranged neatly and secreted less collagen. It improved the blood circulation in the sole and tail, and reversed the increasing of LVEDD, LVESD and the decreasing of LVEF and LVFS of M group. Platelets in M and S group showed high reactivity, and QL could decrease aggregation risk. In conclusion, Qilong Capsules has an obvious myocardial protective effect on ischemic cardiomyopathy, which may inhibit the degree of myocardial fibrosis and reduce platelet reactivity.
Animals ; Capsules ; Cardiomyopathies/drug therapy* ; Fibrosis ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left