Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg^-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg^-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D₃03)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.

Objective To observe clinical outcomes of propofol and remazolam in patients undergoing elective painless fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy.Methods Patients who underwent painless fibreoptic bronchoscopic biopsy in our hospital from March 2022 to April 2023 were selected for the study and divided into 2 groups using simple randomisation method.In the control group,anaesthesia was induced with 1 mg·kg-1 propofol,3 μg·kg-1 fentanyl,0.1 mg·kg-1 cis-atracurium,and anaesthesia was maintained with 4-6 mg·kg-1·h-1 propofol.In the treatment group,anaesthesia was induced with 0.2 mg·kg-1 remazolam,3 μg·kg-1 fentanyl,0.1 mg·kg-1 cis-atracurium,and anaesthesia was maintained with 0.2-0.4 mg·kg-1·h-1 remazolam.We compared the awakening time,laryngeal mask removal time,microscopy time,and the proportion of additional anaesthetics in the 2 groups,and detected the levels of S100β,neuron-specific enolase(NSE),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)in the 2 groups preoperatively and at 24 h postoperatively,and statistically counted the occurrences of adverse reactions in the 2 groups.Results The time for pulling out the laryngeal mask in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group,while the time for microscopy,time for awakening,and proportion of additional anaesthesia drugs were not statistically significant when compared with that in the control group(all P＞0.05).The overall anaesthesia effect grading of the test group was not statistically significant when compared with the control group(P＞0.05).S100β were(0.66±0.17)and(0.78±0.21)μg·L-1;NSE were(8.47±1.78)and(11.47±2.06)μg·L-1;IL-6 were(8.64±1.21)and(12.89±1.47)pg·mL-1;TNF-α were(6.27±1.07)and(9.13±1.41)pg·mL-1,respectively,which were higher than that of preoperative period,and the treatment group was lower than that of the control group at 24 h postoperatively,and the difference was statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 13.75％and 22.50％,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The use of remazolam in painless fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy is less neurologically damaging,stabilizes hemodynamics.

Objective To study the effect of Hedysarum polysaccharides(HPS)on the expression of transforming growth factor-β,(TGF-β1),smad homologue 3 recombinant protein(smad3)and smad7 in renal tissue of db/db mice with diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods According to their body weight,6-week-old male db/db mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:model group(0.9％NaCl 0.2 mL·d-1),positive control group(22.75 mg·kg-1·d-1 irbesartan)and experimental-H,-M,-L groups(200,100,50 mg kg-1·d-1 HPS),with 10 mice in each group;another 10 SPF grade male C57BL/6 mice of the same week were selected as normal group(0.9％NaCl 0.2mL·d-1).The mice in the 6 groups were given intragastric administration once a day for 12 weeks.The blood glucose concentration of mice was measured before treatment and at the 4th,8th and 12th week after treatment.The expression levels of TGF-β1,smad3 and smad7 were detected by Western blotting.Results After treatment,the blood glucose levels of the model group was significantly higher than those of the normal group(all P＜0.01);compared with the model group,the levels of blood glucose in the experimental-H,-M groups decreased significantly,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The relative expression levels of TGF-β,protein in normal group,model group,positive control group and experimental-H,-M groups were 0.71±0.16,1.66±0.18,1.00±0.17,0.88±0.15 and 1.23±0.15;the relative expression levels of smad3 protein were 0.89±0.32,2.26±0.35,1.24±0.31,1.05±0.30 and 1.67±0.35;the relative expression levels of smad7 protein were 1.66±0.03,0.60±0.03,1.10±0.07,1.48±0.08 and 0.97±0.09;there were statistically significant differences between the experimental-H,-M groups and the model group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Hedysarum polysaccharides can improve renal fibrosis and delay the development of diabetic nephropathy by regulating the level of blood glucose,inhibiting TGF-β1,smad3 and increasing the expression of smad7.

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a time-saving and cost-effective repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation regime, has been shown to improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the specific mechanism underlying iTBS-induced cognitive enhancement remains unknown. Previous studies suggested that mitochondrial functions are modulated by magnetic stimulation. Here, we showed that iTBS upregulates the expression of iron-sulfur cluster assembly 1 (ISCA1, an essential regulatory factor for mitochondrial respiration) in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that iTBS modulates mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster assembly to facilitate mitochondrial respiration and function, which is required for ISCA1. Moreover, iTBS rescues cognitive decline and attenuates AD-type pathologies in APP/PS1 mice. The present study uncovers a novel mechanism by which iTBS modulates mitochondrial respiration and function via ISCA1-mediated iron-sulfur cluster assembly to alleviate cognitive impairments and pathologies in AD. We provide the mechanistic target of iTBS that warrants its therapeutic potential for AD patients.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Alzheimer Disease/therapy* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy* ; Cognition ; Sulfur ; Iron ; Iron-Sulfur Proteins ; Mitochondrial Proteins

The toad, known for its various medicinal properties including parotid gland secretion (toad venom), dried skin, and gallbladder (toad bile), holds considerable medicinal applications as a valuable traditional Chinese animal medicine. Currently, in-depth attentions have been paid to the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of toad venom and skin; however, a lesser number of detailed analyses were concentrated on the toad bile. This review provides an overview of the chemical constituents in the bile of the Bufo genus, with a special focus on the cholestane and bufadienolides, and highlights the progress in their biosynthetic pathway and pharmacological activities. The analysis uncovers a distinct category of unsaturated Δ²² or Δ²³-C₂₇/C₂₈ bile acids in the toad gallbladder, potentially acting as key intermediaries in forming C-17 α-pyrone of bufadienolides. Furthermore, the high presence of 3α-OH configured bufadienolides in toad bile, in contrast to the common 3β-OH configured found in toad venom or skin, indicates a possible link between their minimal toxicity and the toad's self-defensive or physiological control. This review provides scientific basis for the development and utilization of toad bile resources, and provides useful reference for the discovery of lead compounds, analysis of the biosynthetic pathway of bufadienolides, and research on toad physiology.

The dynamin superfamily protein (DSP) encompasses a group of large GTPases that are involved in various membrane remodeling processes within the cell. These proteins are characterized by their ability to hydrolyze GTP, which provides the energy necessary for their function in membrane fission, fusion, and tubulation activities. Dynamin superfamily proteins play critical roles in cellular processes such as endocytosis, organelle division, and vesicle trafficking. It is typically classified into classical dynamins and dynamin-related proteins (Drp), which have distinct roles and structural features. Understanding these proteins is crucial for comprehending their functions in cellular processes, particularly in membrane dynamics and organelle maintenance. Classical dynamins are primarily involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), a process crucial for the internalization of receptors and other membrane components from the cell surface into the cell. These proteins are best known for their role in pinching off vesicles from the plasma membrane. Structually, classical dynamins are composed of a GTPase domain, a middle domain, a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that binds phosphoinositides, a GTPase effector domain (GED), and a proline-rich domain (PRD) that interacts with SH3 domain-containing proteins. Functionally, the classical dynamins wrap around the neck of budding vesicles, using GTP hydrolysis to constrict and eventually acting as a “membrane scissor” to cut the vesicle from the membrane. In mammals, there are three major isoforms: dynamin 1 (predominantly expressed in neurons), dynamin 2 (ubiquitously expressed), and dynamin 3 (expressed in testes, lungs, and neurons). Recent studies have also revealed some non-classical functions of classical dynamins, such as regulating the initiation and stabilization of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) at the early stages of CME, influencing the formation of the actin cytoskeleton and cell division. Drps share structural similarities with classical dynamins but are involved in a variety of different cellular processes, primarily related to the maintenance and remodeling of organelles, and can be mainly categorized into “mediating membrane fission”, “mediating membrane fusion” and “non-membrane-dependent functions”. Proteins like Drp1 are crucial for mitochondrial division, while others like Fis1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 are involved in mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission and fusion processes, which are essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial and peroxisomal integrity and affect energy production and apoptosis. Proteins like the Mx protein family exhibit antiviral properties by interfering with viral replication or assembly, which is critical for the innate immune response to viral infections. Some other proteins are involved in the formation of tubular structures from membranes, which is crucial for the maintenance of organelle morphology, particularly in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Studies on dynamin superfamily proteins have been extensive and have significantly advanced our understanding of cellular biology, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. These studies encompass a broad range of disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and pharmacology. By comprehensively summarizing and organizing the structural features and functions of various members of the dynamin superfamily protein, this review not only deepens the understanding of its molecular mechanisms, but also provides valuable insights for clinical drug research related to human diseases, potentially driving further advancements in the field.

Naturally derived metabolites are valuable resources for drug research and development, and play an important role in the treatment of diseases. As the "second genome" of the body, gut microbiota is rich in metabolic enzymes, which interacts with external substances such as drugs, thus affecting the progression of diseases. This article summarizes the interaction between gut microbiota-producing enzymes and natural medicines, and focuses on the impact of this interaction on disease progression, hoping to provide new ideas for the development and pharmacological mechanism of natural medicines.

Objective To study the activity of ten kinds of antipyretic-antidotal traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including radix tinosporae.herb of blin conyza and turmeric,against extensively drug-resistant Acineto-bacter baumannii(XDR-AB)infection,screen out the extracts of antipyretic-antidotal TCM which have in vivo anti-infection activity,provide a research basis for the discovery of novel antimicrobials against XD-RAB infection.Methods Ten antipyretic-antidotal TCM were extracted with water,50％ethanol and 95％ethanol respectively,and TCM extracts with different concentrations were prepared,which were co-incubated with the model of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans previously optimized by the research group.The in vivo activity of antipyretic-antidotal TCM against XDR-AB infection was judged through the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans.Results With the increase of concentration of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis extracts,the survival rate of XDR-AB-infec-ted nematodes continued to improve.The water extract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of turmeric at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 54.2％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),18.8％,and 13.3％,respectively.The water ex-tract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of cortex pseudolaricis at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 47.4％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),23.8％,and 15.8％,respectively.Conclusion The water extracts of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis have good activity against XDR-AB infection,and their main chemical components can be tested for in vitro antimicrobial efficacy to discover novel antimicrobial agents against XDR-AB infection.

AIM To identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and study its material basis for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.METHODS The sample was detected by mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode on a Waters CORTECS? UPLC? T3 chromatographic column.The data were analyzed with Peakview 1.2 software and matched with the Natural Products HR-MS/MS Spectral Library 1.0 database,and the components were identified in combination with literature reports.The material basis of Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was analysed according to the identified components.RESULTS Forty chemical components were identified,including 11 flavonoids,6 monoterpene glycosides,4 triterpene saponins,3 phenolic acids,6 alkaloids etc.,which mainly derived from Radix Astragali,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Radix Scutellariae,licorice root,Ramulus Uncariae cum,etc.,baicalein,formononetin,astragaloside Ⅳ and rhynchophylline may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS can quickly identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.Flavonoids,triterpene saponins and alkaloids may be the material basis for Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,which can provide the basis for its material basis research,quality standard establishment and pharmacological study of the dismantled formula.

177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.