OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of Bai Ling Long Zao An Shen formula(BLLZ)in sleep improvement in an environmental stress-induced insomnia rat model and explore its underlying mechanisms.METHODS(1)Component analysis:the chemical constituents of the BLLZ extract were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS).(2)Eval-uation of the sedative and hypnotic effect:① Mice:50 ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control group,BLLZ-L group(5,10 and 20 g·kg-1)and diazepam group(DZP,3 mg·kg-1).After five days of intragastric administration,pentobarbital sodium-induced righting reflex and locomotor activity tests were performed.② Rats:8 SD rats were implanted with electrodes and allowed to recover for seven days before baseline EEG data was collected over 24 h.A crossover design(7 d washout period)was employed,with rats randomly assigned to the DZP(3 mg·kg-1)and BLLZ(20 g·kg-1)group.After five days of treatment,24 h EEG recordings were obtained.(3)Insomnia model and interventions:①8 SD rats were allowed to recover for seven days post-surgery,followed by 6 h(14:00-20:00)baseline EEG recording.A 3×3 crossover design was used to assign rats to model(environmental stress-induced insomnia),model+DZP,or model+BLLZ groups.After five days of treatment,insomnia was induced by frequent cage changes(14:00,16:00 and 18:00),and EEG changes were monitored.(4)Mechanistic study:32 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,model group,and model+DZP group.After five days of treatment,hypothalamic tissues were collected for biochemi-cal analysis.γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),glutamate(Glu),and dopamine(DA)levels were measured using biochemical kits while γ aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1(GABAA1),core clock proteins period circadian regulator 2(PER2)and circadian locomotor output cycles(CLOCK)protein expressions were assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS(1)Compared with the normal control group,the sleep latency of BLLZ 10 and 20 g·kg-1 and DZP groups was significantly shortened,and the locomotor activity of BLLZ 20 g·kg-1 and DZP groups was significantly reduced;BLLZ 20 g·kg-1 signifi-cantly increased the total sleep time,slow-wave sleep time,and average duration of sleep in normal rats,and significantly reduced the wakefulness time.(2)The total sleep time and slow-wave sleep time of the model group significantly decreased and the wakefulness time significantly increased compared with baseline.(3)Compared with the model group,the total sleep time and slow-wave sleep time of the model+BLLZ group and the model+DZP group were significantly increased,and the wakefulness time significantly shortened.(4)Compared with the normal control group,the Glu/GABA ratio,DA content and CLOCK protein expression were significantly increased and GABAA1 and PER2 protein expres-sion were significantly decreased in the model group;compared with the model group,the Glu/GABA ratio,DA content and CLOCK protein expression were significantly decreased,and the expression of GABAA1 and PER2 were significantly increased in the model+BLLLZ group and the model+DZP group.CONCLUSION BLLZ has sedative and hypnotic effects.It can prolong the total slow-wave sleep time by increasing the average duration of slow-wave sleep episodes,thereby increasing the total sleep time and improving environmental stress-induced insomnia.The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the Glu/GABA ratio and DA levels as well as the enhancement of GABAA1 expressions and the regulation of hypothalamic core clock protein expressions.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-fatigue effect of chicory polysaccharide(CP)on mice exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,model+CP 150,300 and 600 mg·kg-1 groups.The control and model groups were given normal saline,while the CP groups were given drugs of different doses.After a 14 d pre-administration period,all the mice except the control group were exposed to a simulated alti-tude of 7 000 m in a hypobaric and hypoxic animal experimental chamber.After 7 d,a treadmill fatigue test was conducted to assess exercise endurance.The body weight and organ indexes were evaluated.The pathological changes in organs and tissues were observed via HE staining.The levels of fatigue-related and oxidative stress-related indicators were measured.The expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha(PGC-1α),and cytochrome c oxidase Ⅳ(COXⅣ)were determined using Western blotting anal-ysis.RESULTS Compared with model group,exercise endurance was significantly enhanced,body weight and organ indexes improved,and pathological damage to the lung,liver and skeletal muscle mitigated in the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group.Compared with model group,the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group had the contents of serum lactate and blood urea nitrogen reduced,but the contents of glycogen and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the liver and skeletal muscle were increased.The malondialdehyde content was lowered,but the expressions of p-AMPK,PGC-1α,and COXⅣ in skeletal muscle were significantly increased.CONCLUSION CP can alleviate altitude-induced fatigue by reducing the metabolite accumulation,increasing glycogen storage,and lowering oxidative stress levels.The underlying mechanism may involve the activation of the AMPK/PGC-1αsignaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator sGC003F on cardiac function in mice with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the sham operation(sham)group,transverse aortic constriction induced CHF mouse model group,model+veliciguat(Ver,3 mg·kg-1)group(positive control)and model+sGC003F(3 and 10 mg·kg-1)group.Four weeks after modeling,drugs were ig given,once a day,for 28 d.Echocardiography was used to measure the changes in cardiac function,and the myocardial hypertrophy related indexes were calculated.The levels of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-pro-BNP),N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide(NT-pro-ANP),soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC),cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)and inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and IL-1β were detected by ELISA.The pathological changes of left heart tissue were observed with HE and Masson staining.Image was used to analyze the percentage of fibrosis in cardiac tissus stained with Masson.The activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD),content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in myocardial tissue,and level of nitric oxide(NO)in serum were detected by biochemical detection kits.The protein expression levels of p-mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR),p-protein kinase B(p-Akt),TNF-α and IL-6 in cardiac tissue were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS Com-pared with the sham group,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFs)in the model group decreased significantly(P<0.01),the cardiac structure changed significantly,the percentage of myocardial fibrosis increased significantly(P<0.05),so were serum NT-pro-BNP and NT-pro-ANP levels(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the above indexes of the model+Ver group and the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group were significantly improved(P<0.05,P<0.01).The sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 group had a significant improvement in LVEF,LVFs,and NT-pro-BNP(P<0.01).Compared with the sham group,the serum levels of NO,sGC and cGMP in the model group decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the serum levels of NO,sGC and cGMP were significantly increased in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.01),but only serum cGMP levels were significantly increased in model+Ver and model+sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 groups(P<0.01).Compared with the sham group,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.05,P<0.01),and only the TNF-α level was significantly decreased in the model+sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.01).Compared with the sham group,the SOD activity of the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),but the MDA content significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,SOD and MDA were significantly improved in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.05,P<0.01),but in the model+Ver group only the SOD activity significantly increased(P<0.05).Western blotting showed that the expressions of p-mTOR,p-Akt,TNF-α and IL-6 protein in myocardial tissue of the model group were significantly higher than in the sham group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the expressions of the above proteins in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),so were the expressions of TNF-α protein in the model+sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 group and model+Ver group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION sGC003F can improve cardiac function,and reduce myocardial fibrosis in CHF model mice,which may be related to the inhibition of myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation,and the regulation of NO/sGC/cGMP and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism through which Chaixian Huashen decoction(CXHSD)ameliorates lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)in mice.METHODS Component analysis:the components of CXHSD extract were analyzed via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive HFX).Network pharma-cology analysis was conducted to predict the potential active components and underlying therapeutic targets of CXHSD for ALI treatment.① Animal experiment:mice were randomly divided into the normal control group,model(LPS)group,model+dexamethasone(DEX)4 mg·kg-1 group,model+CXHSD 10 g·kg-1 group,and model+CXHSD 20 g·kg-1 group.Except for the normal control group,ALI was induced in all the mice by intratracheal instillation of LPS.Model+CXHSD groups received daily intra-gastric administration of corresponding treatments for 7 consecutive days.The model+DEX group was administered saline intragastrically for the initial 5 d,followed by DEX for the next 2 d.ALI was induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS 5 mg·kg-1 1 h after the 6th administration of CXHSD/DEX.24 h after modeling,the severity of pulmonary edema was assessed using the wet to dry weight(W/D)ratio,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate histopathological damage.The levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β in lung tissue homogenates and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was measured by bicinchoninic acid(BCA)assay.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to assess the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin,as well as the phosphorylation level of nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65).② Cell experiment:RAW264.7 cells were divided into the cell control group,LPS 1 mg·L-1 group,LPS 1 mg·L-1+DEX 1 mg·L-1 group,and LPS 1 mg·L-1+CXHSD 50,100 and 200 mg·L-1 groups.After 24 h of culture,the nitric oxide(NO)content was measured with the nitrate reductase method,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in the cell supernatants of each group were detected by ELISA.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis indicated that CXHSD might alleviate ALI through the NF-κB pathway.① Com-pared with the normal control group,the W/D ratio was elevated,pathological injuries aggravated(such as alveolar wall thickening,inflammatory infiltration,and alveolar congestion),histopathological damage pronounced,MPO activity increased,and total protein concentrations in BALF raised in the model group,in which levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 β in both lung tissue and serum became higher.Concur-rently,LPS increased the expressions of p-NF-κB p65,TLR4 and MyD88,but reduced the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin.Compared with the model group,model+CXHSD groups had their pulmonary edema and lung pathological injury ameliorated as evidenced by alleviated alveolar wall thickening,inflammatory infiltration and alveolar congestion.The levels of MPO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in both lung tissue and serum,and the total protein concentrations in BALF were significantly decreased in the model+CXHSD groups.Additionally,the expressions of TLR4,MyD88,and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly downregulated,while those of ZO-1 and occludin were prominently upregulated.② Compared with the cell control,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6 and NO in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells were signifi-cantly increased in the LPS group.Compared with the LPS group,in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS+CXHSD at 100 mg·L-1,there was no significant difference in TNF-α levels.However,in the other groups treated with LPS+CXHSD,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6,and the content of NO were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION CXHSD can alleviate LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway,attenuating inflammation,and preserving pulmonary barrier integrity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism through which Chaixian Huashen decoction(CXHSD)ameliorates lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)in mice.METHODS Component analysis:the components of CXHSD extract were analyzed via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive HFX).Network pharma-cology analysis was conducted to predict the potential active components and underlying therapeutic targets of CXHSD for ALI treatment.① Animal experiment:mice were randomly divided into the normal control group,model(LPS)group,model+dexamethasone(DEX)4 mg·kg-1 group,model+CXHSD 10 g·kg-1 group,and model+CXHSD 20 g·kg-1 group.Except for the normal control group,ALI was induced in all the mice by intratracheal instillation of LPS.Model+CXHSD groups received daily intra-gastric administration of corresponding treatments for 7 consecutive days.The model+DEX group was administered saline intragastrically for the initial 5 d,followed by DEX for the next 2 d.ALI was induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS 5 mg·kg-1 1 h after the 6th administration of CXHSD/DEX.24 h after modeling,the severity of pulmonary edema was assessed using the wet to dry weight(W/D)ratio,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate histopathological damage.The levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β in lung tissue homogenates and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was measured by bicinchoninic acid(BCA)assay.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to assess the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin,as well as the phosphorylation level of nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65).② Cell experiment:RAW264.7 cells were divided into the cell control group,LPS 1 mg·L-1 group,LPS 1 mg·L-1+DEX 1 mg·L-1 group,and LPS 1 mg·L-1+CXHSD 50,100 and 200 mg·L-1 groups.After 24 h of culture,the nitric oxide(NO)content was measured with the nitrate reductase method,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in the cell supernatants of each group were detected by ELISA.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis indicated that CXHSD might alleviate ALI through the NF-κB pathway.① Com-pared with the normal control group,the W/D ratio was elevated,pathological injuries aggravated(such as alveolar wall thickening,inflammatory infiltration,and alveolar congestion),histopathological damage pronounced,MPO activity increased,and total protein concentrations in BALF raised in the model group,in which levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 β in both lung tissue and serum became higher.Concur-rently,LPS increased the expressions of p-NF-κB p65,TLR4 and MyD88,but reduced the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin.Compared with the model group,model+CXHSD groups had their pulmonary edema and lung pathological injury ameliorated as evidenced by alleviated alveolar wall thickening,inflammatory infiltration and alveolar congestion.The levels of MPO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in both lung tissue and serum,and the total protein concentrations in BALF were significantly decreased in the model+CXHSD groups.Additionally,the expressions of TLR4,MyD88,and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly downregulated,while those of ZO-1 and occludin were prominently upregulated.② Compared with the cell control,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6 and NO in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells were signifi-cantly increased in the LPS group.Compared with the LPS group,in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS+CXHSD at 100 mg·L-1,there was no significant difference in TNF-α levels.However,in the other groups treated with LPS+CXHSD,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6,and the content of NO were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION CXHSD can alleviate LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway,attenuating inflammation,and preserving pulmonary barrier integrity.

Stent migration is one of the common complications following transcatheter valve implantation. This study aims to design a "drum-shaped" balloon-expandable aortic valve stent to address this issue and conduct a mechanical analysis. The implantation process of the stent was evaluated using a method that combines numerical simulation and in vitro experiments. Furthermore, the fatigue process of the stent under pulsatile cyclic loading was simulated, and its fatigue performance was assessed using a Goodman diagram. The process of the stent migrating toward the left ventricular side was simulated, and the force-displacement curve of the stent was extracted to evaluate its anti- migration performance. The results showed that all five stent models could be crimped into a 14F sheath and enabled uniform expansion of the native valve leaflets. The stress in each stent was below the ultimate stress, so no fatigue fracture occurred. As the cell height ratio decreased, the contact area fraction between the stent and the aortic root gradually decreased. However, the mean contact force and the maximum anti-migration force first decreased and then increased. Specifically, model S5 had the smallest contact area fraction but the largest mean contact force and maximum anti-migration force, reaching approximately 0.16 MPa and 10.73 N, respectively. The designed stent achieves a "drum-shaped" change after expansion and has good anti-migration performance.
Stents ; Prosthesis Design ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/instrumentation*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effects of graphene heating film far-infrared (FIR) hyperthermia therapy against frostbite in mice and its impacts on microcirculation and coagulation function. METHODS: Seventy-six C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control, model, graphene-FIR, and carbon fiber-FIR groups. After 7-day FIR intervention (4 h/day), the mice were subjected to acute (4 ℃, 4 h) and intermittent (4 ℃, 4 h/day for 3 days) cold exposure and the changes in rectal temperature were monitored. In liquid nitrogen frostbite experiment, 24 ICR mice were divided into model, graphene-FIR, and carbon fiber-FIR groups, and after a 7-day FIR pretreatment (4 h/day), the liquid nitrogen frostbite models were established and apparent scores of the wounds were assessed on days 3 and 6 after modeling. In carrageenan-induced thrombosis experiment, 40 ICR mice were allocated to control, model, graphene-FIR, carbon fiber-FIR, and prazosin groups to test the effect of a 7-day FIR intervention on thrombosis induced by intraperitoneal carrageenan injection (2.5 mg/kg) by measuring thrombus length, blood perfusion, and serum biomarkers (6-keto-PGF1α, TXB2, t-PA, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF‑α) 24 h after the injection. RESULTS: The mice in graphene-FIR group showed significantly elevated rectal temperature in cold exposure tests. In mice with liquid nitrogen-induced frostbite, graphene-FIR treatment significantly reduced the wound scores and reduced frostbite area, producing better effects than carbon fiber. In mice with carrageenan-induced thrombosis, graphene-FIR treatment significantly decreased tail thrombosis length and thrombosis area, increased blood perfusion, lowered serum levels of TXB2, TNF-α and IL-6, and increased the levels of 6-keto-PGF1α and t-PA. CONCLUSIONS Graphene heating film FIR therapy can alleviate frostbite injury in mice by improving microcirculation, suppressing thrombosis and inflammatory responses, and reducing coagulation dysfunction.
Animals ; Frostbite/therapy* ; Graphite ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Infrared Rays ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Hyperthermia, Induced/methods* ; Male ; Microcirculation

OBJECTIVES: To assess the regulatory effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on circadian rhythm sleep disorders following general anesthesia and explore its potential mechanism in a rat model of propofol-induced rhythm sleep disorder. METHODS: An electrode was embedded in the skull for cortical EEG recording in 24 male SD rats, which were randomized into control, propofol, CBD treatment, and diazepam treatment groups (n=6). Eight days later, a single dose of propofol (10 mg/kg) was injected via the tail vein with anesthesia maintenance for 3 h in the latter 3 groups, and daily treatment with saline, CBD or diazepam was administered via gavage; the control rats received only saline injection. A wireless system was used for collecting EEG, EMG, and body temperature data within 72 h after propofol injection. After data collection, blood samples and hypothalamic tissue samples were collected for determining serum levels of oxidative stress markers and hypothalamic expressions of the key clock proteins. RESULTS: Compared with the control rats, the rats with CBD treatment showed significantly increased sleep time at night (20:00-6:00), especially during the time period of 4:00-6:00 am. Compared with the rats in propofol group, which had prolonged SWS time and increased sleep episodes during 18:00-24:00 and sleep-wake transitions, the CBD-treated rats exhibited a significant reduction of SWS time and fewer SWS-to-active-awake transitions with increased SWS aspects and sleep-wake transitions at night (24:00-08:00). Diazepam treatment produced similar effect to CBD but with a weaker effect on sleep-wake transitions. Propofol caused significant changes in protein expressions and redox state, which were effectively reversed by CBD treatment. CONCLUSIONS CBD can improve sleep structure and circadian rhythm in rats with propofol-induced sleep disorder possibly by regulating hypothalamic expressions of the key circadian clock proteins, suggesting a new treatment option for perioperative sleep disorders.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Cannabidiol/therapeutic use* ; Rats ; Circadian Rhythm/drug effects* ; Propofol/adverse effects* ; Anesthesia, General/adverse effects* ; Sleep Wake Disorders/chemically induced* ; Hypothalamus/metabolism* ; Electroencephalography

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-fatigue effect of chicory polysaccharide(CP)on mice exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,model+CP 150,300 and 600 mg·kg-1 groups.The control and model groups were given normal saline,while the CP groups were given drugs of different doses.After a 14 d pre-administration period,all the mice except the control group were exposed to a simulated alti-tude of 7 000 m in a hypobaric and hypoxic animal experimental chamber.After 7 d,a treadmill fatigue test was conducted to assess exercise endurance.The body weight and organ indexes were evaluated.The pathological changes in organs and tissues were observed via HE staining.The levels of fatigue-related and oxidative stress-related indicators were measured.The expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha(PGC-1α),and cytochrome c oxidase Ⅳ(COXⅣ)were determined using Western blotting anal-ysis.RESULTS Compared with model group,exercise endurance was significantly enhanced,body weight and organ indexes improved,and pathological damage to the lung,liver and skeletal muscle mitigated in the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group.Compared with model group,the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group had the contents of serum lactate and blood urea nitrogen reduced,but the contents of glycogen and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the liver and skeletal muscle were increased.The malondialdehyde content was lowered,but the expressions of p-AMPK,PGC-1α,and COXⅣ in skeletal muscle were significantly increased.CONCLUSION CP can alleviate altitude-induced fatigue by reducing the metabolite accumulation,increasing glycogen storage,and lowering oxidative stress levels.The underlying mechanism may involve the activation of the AMPK/PGC-1αsignaling pathway.