OBJECTIVE To observe the intervention effect of puerarin on the rats with bacterial periodontitis by reg-ulating nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3/Caspase-1(NLRP3/Caspase-1)signaling pathways.METHODS Totally 44 male SPF rats were chosen as subjects and were divided into the blank group,the model group,the puerarin group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group.The models of rats with bacterial periodon-titis were successfully established.The periodontal indexes and alveolar resorption were observed and compared a-mong the groups.RESULTS The sulcus bleeding index(SBI)and plaque index(PLI)scores of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;the NLRP3 level was 0.87±0.09 in the model group,0.85±0.08 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.18±0.03 in the blank group;the Caspase-1 level was 1.15±0.11 in the model group,1.03±0.10 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.35±0.04 in the blank group.The trabecular separation spacing(Tb.Sp),cemento-enamel junction-facial bone crest(CEJ-FBC),interleukin--1β(IL-1β)level,interleukin-6(IL-6)level,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level and osteoclast counts of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;while the trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV)and bone mineral density(BMD)of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were lower than those of the blank group.The SBI and PLI scores of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin group was 0.20±0.04,lower than 0.87±0.09 of the model group;the Caspase-1 level of the puerarin group was 0.37±0.05,lower than 1.15±0.11 of the model group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1βlevel,IL-6 lev-el,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin group were higher than those of the model group.The SBI and PLI score of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin plus inhibitor group was 0.85±0.08,higher than 0.20±0.04 of the puerarin group;the Caspase-1 level of the pu-erarin plus inhibitor group was 1.03±0.10,higher than 0.37±0.05 of the puerarin group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1β level,IL-6 level,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group,while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were low-er than those of the puerarin group,there were significant differences in the above comparisons(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Puerarin can effectively reduce the periodontal plaque index and bleeding index of the rats with bacterial,reduce the levels of inflammatory factors and alleviate the damage of tissue.The action mechanisms may be associated with the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE To observe the intervention effect of puerarin on the rats with bacterial periodontitis by reg-ulating nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3/Caspase-1(NLRP3/Caspase-1)signaling pathways.METHODS Totally 44 male SPF rats were chosen as subjects and were divided into the blank group,the model group,the puerarin group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group.The models of rats with bacterial periodon-titis were successfully established.The periodontal indexes and alveolar resorption were observed and compared a-mong the groups.RESULTS The sulcus bleeding index(SBI)and plaque index(PLI)scores of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;the NLRP3 level was 0.87±0.09 in the model group,0.85±0.08 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.18±0.03 in the blank group;the Caspase-1 level was 1.15±0.11 in the model group,1.03±0.10 in the puerarin plus inhibitor group,higher than 0.35±0.04 in the blank group.The trabecular separation spacing(Tb.Sp),cemento-enamel junction-facial bone crest(CEJ-FBC),interleukin--1β(IL-1β)level,interleukin-6(IL-6)level,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level and osteoclast counts of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the blank group;while the trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV)and bone mineral density(BMD)of the model group and the puerarin plus inhibitor group were lower than those of the blank group.The SBI and PLI scores of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin group was 0.20±0.04,lower than 0.87±0.09 of the model group;the Caspase-1 level of the puerarin group was 0.37±0.05,lower than 1.15±0.11 of the model group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1βlevel,IL-6 lev-el,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin group were lower than those of the model group;while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin group were higher than those of the model group.The SBI and PLI score of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group;the NLRP3 level of the puerarin plus inhibitor group was 0.85±0.08,higher than 0.20±0.04 of the puerarin group;the Caspase-1 level of the pu-erarin plus inhibitor group was 1.03±0.10,higher than 0.37±0.05 of the puerarin group.The Tb.Sp,CEJ-FBC,IL-1β level,IL-6 level,TNF-α level and osteoclast counts of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were higher than those of the puerarin group,while the Tb.Th,V/V and BMD of the puerarin plus inhibitor group were low-er than those of the puerarin group,there were significant differences in the above comparisons(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Puerarin can effectively reduce the periodontal plaque index and bleeding index of the rats with bacterial,reduce the levels of inflammatory factors and alleviate the damage of tissue.The action mechanisms may be associated with the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathways.

In recent years, the potential hepatotoxicity of green tea extract (GTE) has attracted more and more attention. With reference to the current studies on liver injury caused by GTE and the latest drug hepatotoxicity classification, this article systematically elaborates on the objectivity and causal mechanisms of liver injury caused by GTE. Based on the main risk factors for liver injury caused by GTE, this article also proposes recommendations for safe and rational use of such products, so as to provide valuable insights for in-depth research on the mechanism of liver injury caused by GTE and risk prevention and control, and meanwhile, it also provides an important reference for the therapeutic use of GTE to improve health conditions.

ObjectiveTo explore and establish the liver injury risk prediction model of indirect toxicity of Chinese medicinals under the condition of compound formulas， and provide new ideas and methods for the study of evaluation of liver injury of Chinese medicinals based on indirect toxicity. MethodsTaking Buguzhi （Fructus Psoraleae） pre-parations as model drug， the combined Chinese medicinals with Buguzhi （Fructus Psoraleae） of high frequency are screened out， and their components and action targets were obtained through TCMSP， TCMIP and PharmMapper databases. The association strength value and risk value of Chinese medicinals that acted on the nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） pathway were analyzed. For those having greater values than the median association strength value and risk value were regarded as indirect Chinese medicinals of liver injury risk. In this way， a prediction model of liver injury risk of Chinese medicinals was constructed based on immune activation-related indirect liver injury process （taking NF-κB pathway as an example）. And verification of the prediction model was performed using Heshouwu （Radix Polygoni Multiflori） preparations. ResultsThe prediction model of liver injury risk based on important immunoactivated pathway （taking NF-κB pathway as an example） found that Yinyanghuo （Herba Epimedii） （association strength value = 0.18， risk value = 0.25） was a Chinese medicinal with potential risk of indirect liver injury within Buguzhi （Fructus Psoraleae） prepartions， which may increase the risk of liver injury by positively regulating Bruton's tyrosine kinase （Btk） and protein kinase C theta （PKCθ） on NF-κB pathway. Further verification of prediction model by Heshouwu （Radix Polygoni Multiflori） preparations showed that Buguzhi （Fructus Psoraleae） （association strength value = 0.25， risk value = 0.33） and Tusizi （Semen Cuscutae） （Semen Cuscutae， association strength value = 0.34， risk value = 0.33） may increase the liver injury risk of Heshouzu. ConclusionThe liver injury risk prediction model of indirect toxicity of Chinese medicinals has been constructed in this study， providing metho-dological reference for the identification of Chinese medicinals of indirect liver injury risk under the condition of compound formulas.

Objective To investigate the potential medication risk by identifying and analyzing the features of liver-related adverse drug reaction (ADR) in pregnant women. Methods A retrospective study was performed for the reports on liver-related ADR in pregnant women from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 in HILI Cloud (hilicloud.net). Main clinical features and medication rules were analyzed, and reporting odds ratio ( ROR ) was used to analyze the relative risk of related drugs. Results Methotrexate, mifepristone, and ritodrine were the high-frequency drugs reported for liver-related ADR in pregnant women and were mainly used for termination of ectopic pregnancy and treatment of hydatidiform mole. The relative risk analysis of liver-related ADR showed that in pregnant women, the use of methotrexate ( ROR =37.52, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]=31.35-44.89), progesterone ( ROR =7.33, 95% CI : 2.75-19.59), and dydrogesterone ( ROR =6.58, 95% CI : 2.20-19.69) was strongly associated with the risk of liver injury, and the association of methotrexate with the risk of liver injury in pregnant women was significantly stronger than that in non-pregnant women ( ROR =1.71, 95% CI : 1.47-4.36). Conclusion The potential risk of liver injury should be taken seriously in pregnant women using the drugs such as methotrexate and progesterone, so as to avoid serious adverse reactions.

Background: Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) has been demonstrated to be a predictor of early diabetic nephropathy. However, little is known about the relationship between FABP4 and diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study explored the value of FABP4 as a biomarker of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 238 subjects were enrolled, including 20 healthy controls and 218 T2DM patients. Serum FABP4 levels were measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The grade of DR was determined using fundus fluorescence angiography. Based on the international classification of DR, all T2DM patients were classified into the following three subgroups: non-DR group, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the correlation between FABP4 levels and DR severity. Results: FABP4 correlated positively with DR severity (r=0.225, P=0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic potential of FABP4 in identifying DR, with an area under the curve of 0.624 (37% sensitivity, 83.6% specificity) and an optimum cut-off value of 76.4 μg/L. Multivariate logistic regression model including FABP4 as a categorized binary variable using the cut-off value of 76.4 μg/L showed that the concentration of FABP4 above the cut-off value increased the risk of NPDR (odds ratio [OR], 3.231; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.574 to 6.632; P=0.001) and PDR (OR, 3.689; 95% CI, 1.306 to 10.424; P=0.014). Conclusion FABP4 may be used as a serum biomarker for the diagnosis of DR.

Objective To explore the effects of DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin on insulitis of NOD mice and the potential mechanism. Methods 223-month-old female NOD mice were randomly divided into Sitagliptin(Si-ta)group(n=11)gavaged with Sita(30 mg/Kg)daily for 12 weeks and control(Con)group with equal volume of normal saline(NS). The body weight,food-intake,water-intake and blood glucose were recorded weekly. Intraperi-toneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed at the end of treatment and the blood sample was collected. Then mice were execute. The serum insulin level was measured by ELISA. Pancreas morphology and insulitis were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein expression level of TLR4 ,MyD88 and NF-κB was analyzed by Western Blot. Results Compared with that of Con group ,the insulitis of Sita group was significantly alleviative(P < 0.05)and the serum insulin level was increased significantly(P < 0.05). The protein expression level of TLR4(P<0.05),MyD88(P<0.01)and NF-κB(P<0.05)in Sita group was significantly decreased. Conclusion Sitagliptin alleviates insulitis in NOD mice and increases the serum insulin level ,probably owing to the suppression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate clinical efficacy of finasteride on chronic heart failure(CHF)compli-cated with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)in elderly patients.Methods 100 cases of elderly patients with CHF complicated with BPH were chosen,according to the number table method,they were divided into the observation group and control group,50 cases in each group,all patients were treated according to their cardiac function to regulate anti -CHF therapy.The patients in the observation group were added with finasteride treatment,the control group pla-cebo treated patients,the measurement indexes were compared between the two groups after treatment,including pros-tate volume,N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide concentration,creatinine,international prostate symptom score and symptom score,need operation treatment intervention,incidence acute urinary retention rate.Results After treat-ment,the prostate volume,N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide concentration,creatinine,international prostate symptom score of symptom scores of the observation group were (23.86 ±10.27)mL,(352.63 ±72.55 )g/L, (84.0 ±11.6)mol/L,(9.3 ±4.9),those in the control group were (39.11 ±12.53)mL,(483.46 ±76.47)g/L, (99.0 ±12.8)mol/L,(13.9 ±5.6).The difference was statistically significant(t =9.47,17.56,12.33,8.48,all P <0.05);the observation group need operation treatment intervention was 16.0%,obviously less than 52.0% in the control group,there was significant difference between two groups(χ2 =21.85,P <0.05);acute urinary retention in patients with the observation group the incidence rate of 14.0%,significantly lower than 38.0% in the control group, there was significant difference between two groups(χ2 =12.83,P <0.05).Conclusion Patients with CHF compli-cated with BPH aged at the same time standard anti heart failure treatment using finasteride,significantly reduce the prostate volume,reduce the measurement indexes,and significantly reduce the rate of operation intervention patients, safe and reliable,which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To explore the torque effect of controlling root auxiliary arch on the straight wire appliance on maxillary anterior teeth.Methods:22 patients with class Ⅱ1 extraction treatment,treated with straightwire appliance,at the detailing treatment stage were treated with controlling root auxiliary arch over the erect or introverted maxillary incisors for positive torque.The main arch wire of 0.46 mm ×0.64 mm stainless steel edge wire was used in 14 cases,the main arch wire of 0.46 mm stainless steel round wire was used in 8 cases.Cephalometric results before and after maxillary incisor torque were analyzed by t test.Results:After maxillary incisor torque in the 22 cases 1-SN and UIa-NA value increased(P ＜0.01),positive torque was achieved by controlling root auxiliary arch on the upper incisors;the round wire maxillary incisor torque worked faster than the edge wire(P ＜0.05).Conclusion:At the detailing stage of treatment straight wire appliance on front teeth,controlling root auxiliary arch is simple and effective in the treatment of exces-sive erect or lingual inclination of maxillary incisor.

Objective To discuss whether mild hyperuricemia can lead to kidney damage and the protection of decreased uric acid,through observing that hyperuricemia did damage to glomerulus endothelial function and cell proliferation of vascular smooth muscle in rats. Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were divided into four groups,the control group,model group (Oxonate),allopurinol group and Oxonate+allopurinol group.Rats were administered on a low sodium diet and their systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured each 10 days.ELISA was used to detect rat plasma markers of endothelial function damage [nitric oxide (NO),type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1),endothelin 1 (ET-1)] and cell proliferation of vascular smooth muscle[plateletderived growth factor (PDGF),cycloxygenase 2 (COX2),monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)],and the markers of inflammatory reaction[interleukin-18 (IL-18),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)].PDGF and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels of rats were detected by immunohistochemical method.Renal tissue pathology of rats was observed. Results Compared to the control group,the plasmic concentration of COX2,ET-1,IL-18,PAI-1,PDGF,TNF-o,MCP-1 increased,and NO decreased significantly in rats of model group (all P＜0.05),expression of NOS significantly reduced and PDGF increased (all P＜0.05).Under light microscope,vascular wall thickening,intimal proliferation and lumen slight stricture without uric acid crystals in renal tissue were found in model group,which were obviously improved by using allopurinol. Conclusion Mild hyperuricemia can do damage to endothelial function of glomerulus and lead to vascular cell proliferation,which can be improved through decreasing uric acid.