Background: Sex-based differences often influence the therapeutic efficacy and safety of medications. Semen Cuscutae is a traditional tonic botanical drug with sex-specific characteristics, traditionally indicated for conditions such as impotence (exclusive to males) and restless fetus (exclusive to pregnant females). However, most existing studies have focused on a single sex. Objective: To evaluate the sex-specific biological effects of Semen Cuscutae in rats and explore its molecular mechanisms, with the aim of uncovering its pharmacological characteristics through a multiomics approach. Methods: A traditional aqueous extract of Semen Cuscutae (SCA) was used as the experimental material. Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (equal numbers of males and females) were randomly divided into 4 groups: male control, male SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), female control, and female SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The biological effects were comprehensively evaluated using a combination of open field test, biochemical analyses, proteomics, and gut microbiota profiling. Results: As a tonic botanical drug, SCA appeared to directly affect the mental and behavioral state of rats. It significantly altered the time spent by rats in the center area during the open field test, showing a sex-dependent reversal of behaviors. Proteomic analysis of brain tissue identified 624 differentially expressed proteins across the groups, with 10 key differentially expressed proteins related to sex differences, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, transcription elongation factor A protein-like 1, 40S ribosomal protein S25, neural cell adhesion molecule, and anion exchange protein 2 (SLC4A2). Enrichment analysis revealed that in male rats, SCA upregulated proteins involved in biological processes such as ribosome function and energy derivation, supporting protein synthesis and enhancing energy supply, showing an overall gain effect. In contrast, in female rats, SCA downregulated proteins associated with processes such as positive regulation of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling and vesicle transport, suggesting suppression of neuronal signaling and material transport, indicative of a shift toward a more restrained physiological state. Furthermore, SCA reduced gut microbiota diversity in female rats but increased it in males, including the abundance of Akkermansia, which may serve as a crucial mediator. Conclusion: Overall, the biological effects of SCA differ significantly between male and female rats, with evidence suggesting greater health benefits in males. These findings help elucidate the scientific basis of its traditional applications and provide guidance for the precise application of SCA as a functional health food.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of empagliflozin combined with donafenib or lenvatinib on the pharmacokinetic parameters of each drug， and to provide a reference for combined medication in clinical practice. MethodsA total of 48 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups： empagliflozin group 1 and 2， donafenib group， lenvatinib group， donafenib pretreatment+empagliflozin group， lenvatinib pretreatment + empagliflozin group， empagliflozin pretreatment+donafenib group， and empagliflozin pretreatment+lenvatinib group， with 6 rats in each group. The doses of empagliflozin， donafenib， and lenvatinib were 2.5 mg/kg， 40 mg/kg， and 1.2 mg/kg， respectively. The rats in the empagliflozin group， donafenib group， and lenvatinib group were given a blank solvent by gavage for 7 consecutive days， followed by a single dose of empagliflozin， donafenib， or lenvatinib on day 7 after the administration of the blank solvent； the rats in the pretreatment groups were given the pretreatment drug by gavage for 7 consecutive days， followed by a single dose of drug combination on day 7 after administration of the pretreatment drug. Blood samples were collected at different time points， and plasma was separated to measure the concentration of each drug. A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to measure the plasma concentrations of donafenib， lenvatinib， and empagliflozin， and a non-compartmental model was used to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters of each drug （area under the plasma concentration-time curve ［AUC］， time to peak ［T_max］， peak concentration ［C_max］， and half-life time ［t_1/2］）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the empagliflozin group， the donafenib pretreatment+empagliflozin group had significant increases in the AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of empagliflozin （P=0.011 and 0.008）， while the lenvatinib pretreatment+empagliflozin group had no significant change in the AUC of empagliflozin， with a slightly shorter T_max （P=0.019）. Compared with the donafenib group， the empagliflozin pretreatment+donafenib group had significant increases in the AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of donafenib （P=0.027 and 0.025）， as well as a significant increase in C_max （P=0.015） and significant reductions in CLz/F and Vz/F （P=0.005 and 0.004）； compared with the lenvatinib group， the empagliflozin pretreatment+lenvatinib group had a reduction in the t_1/2 of lenvatinib by approximately 5 hours （P=0.002）， with a trend of reduction in AUC_0-t （P0.05）. ConclusionEmpagliflozin combined with donafenib may alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of both drugs， leading to a significant increase in the exposure levels of both drugs， and efficacy and adverse reactions should be monitored during co-administration. There are no significant changes in the exposure levels of empagliflozin and lenvatinib during co-administration.

Intestinal fibrosis is a significant clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel diseases, but no effective anti-fibrotic therapy is currently available. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) are both peptide hormone receptors involved in energy metabolism of epithelial cells. However, their role in intestinal fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein GCGR and GLP1R were found to be reduced in the stenotic ileum of patients with Crohn's disease as well as in the fibrotic colon of mice with chronic colitis. The downregulation of GCGR and GLP1R led to the accumulation of the metabolic byproduct lactate, resulting in histone H3K9 lactylation and exacerbated intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dual activating GCGR and GLP1R by peptide 1907B reduced the H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells and ameliorated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. We uncovered the role of GCGR/GLP1R in regulating EMT involved in intestinal fibrosis via histone lactylation. Simultaneously activating GCGR/GLP1R with the novel dual agonist peptide 1907B holds promise as a treatment strategy for alleviating intestinal fibrosis.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. Due to the lack of effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the proliferation and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma, the overall treatment of lung adenocarcinoma is not optimistic. Therefore, there is a need to find new ideas and methods for lung adenocarcinoma treatment. The 26S proteasome is a multiprotein complex responsible for degrading misfolded proteins and maintaining intracellular protein homeostasis. During the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the regulatory granule subunit of the 26S proteasome promotes the malignant progression of tumours by regulating tumour-associated proteins, immune cells, and related signalling pathways. The proteasome core particle is a key subunit for degrading proteins, and its inhibitors have shown promising anti-tumour effects when combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, limited by toxic side effects and tumour heterogeneity, targeted inhibitors against the 26S proteasome are still not widely used in NSCLC treatment. This article reviews the mechanism of action and related therapeutic research of 26S proteasome regulatory particle subunits and core particle subunits in NSCLC, and explores the potential of these inhibitors in clinical application.
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Humans ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/chemistry* ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Animals ; Proteasome Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of MCC950 on benzalkonium chloride-in-duced dry eye(DED)in rats.Methods Among 60 male SD rats,50 rats were treated with 20 g·L-1 benzalkonium chlo-ride solution 3 times a day in both eyes to induce DED model,and a significant decrease in tear secretion was regarded as a successful modeling,and the remaining 10 rats were regarded as the control group.DED rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:DED,DED+10MCC950,DED+50MCC950,DED+100MCC950,and DED+500MCC950 groups,and were given 0.2 mL of 0,10,50,100,and 500 μmol·L-1 MCC950 in both eyes for two weeks,and then examined the amount of tear secretion,corneal histopathology(HE staining),reactive oxygen species(ROS),and inflammation factors(NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-6).Results The tear secretion of rats in the DED group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Except for the DED+10MCC950 group,the tear secretion of rats in different concentrations of MCC950 treatment groups was increased and positively correlated with the MCC950 dose(all P＜0.05).HE staining of the cornea showed that compared with the control group,the cornea of the DED group was significantly thinner,the arrange-ment of surface cells was disorganized,the number of cells was significantly reduced,and a large number of"vacuole"-like structures appeared;the corneal stroma was disorganized and sparsely structured.The degree of histopathological changes in the cornea of rats treated with different concentrations of MCC950 decreased with the increase of the concentration of MCC950.Compared with the control group,the relative expression level of ROS in the DED group of rats was significantly increased(P＜0.05).In each MCC950 treatment group,as the concentration of MCC950 increased,the relative expression level of corneal ROS staining in rats gradually decreased,showing a concentration-dependent effect(all P＜0.05).Com-pared with the control group,the levels of NLRP3,IL-1 β,Caspase-1 and IL-6 were significantly increased in the DED group(all P＜0.05).The levels of various inflammatory factors were dose-dependently reduced in the MCC950 treatment groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion MCC950 can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and improve the symptoms of benza-lkonium chloride-induced DED in rats by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of MCC950 on benzalkonium chloride-in-duced dry eye(DED)in rats.Methods Among 60 male SD rats,50 rats were treated with 20 g·L-1 benzalkonium chlo-ride solution 3 times a day in both eyes to induce DED model,and a significant decrease in tear secretion was regarded as a successful modeling,and the remaining 10 rats were regarded as the control group.DED rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:DED,DED+10MCC950,DED+50MCC950,DED+100MCC950,and DED+500MCC950 groups,and were given 0.2 mL of 0,10,50,100,and 500 μmol·L-1 MCC950 in both eyes for two weeks,and then examined the amount of tear secretion,corneal histopathology(HE staining),reactive oxygen species(ROS),and inflammation factors(NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-6).Results The tear secretion of rats in the DED group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Except for the DED+10MCC950 group,the tear secretion of rats in different concentrations of MCC950 treatment groups was increased and positively correlated with the MCC950 dose(all P＜0.05).HE staining of the cornea showed that compared with the control group,the cornea of the DED group was significantly thinner,the arrange-ment of surface cells was disorganized,the number of cells was significantly reduced,and a large number of"vacuole"-like structures appeared;the corneal stroma was disorganized and sparsely structured.The degree of histopathological changes in the cornea of rats treated with different concentrations of MCC950 decreased with the increase of the concentration of MCC950.Compared with the control group,the relative expression level of ROS in the DED group of rats was significantly increased(P＜0.05).In each MCC950 treatment group,as the concentration of MCC950 increased,the relative expression level of corneal ROS staining in rats gradually decreased,showing a concentration-dependent effect(all P＜0.05).Com-pared with the control group,the levels of NLRP3,IL-1 β,Caspase-1 and IL-6 were significantly increased in the DED group(all P＜0.05).The levels of various inflammatory factors were dose-dependently reduced in the MCC950 treatment groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion MCC950 can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and improve the symptoms of benza-lkonium chloride-induced DED in rats by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of Lutongning granules in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in animal models and study its mechanism of action， so as to provide laboratory data support for the clinical application of Lutongning granules and precise treatment. MethodMale SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （0.06 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Lutongning group （2.70 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-dose Lutongning group （1.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1） according to the stratified basic mechanical pain thresholds， with 10 rats in each group. A trigeminal neuralgia model of rats was prepared by injecting 30% talc suspension into the infraorbital foramen area of the rat. The drug groups were administered 10 mL·kg^-1 of drugs by gavage after 2 h of modeling. The normal group and the model group were administered distilled water by gavage under the same conditions once a day for 10 consecutive days. Von Frey brushes were used to determine the mechanical pain threshold of rats. A fully automated blood and body fluid analyzer was employed to detect the blood routine of rats. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was utilized to detect the pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion and medulla oblongata tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to scan the ultrastructure of the medulla oblongata tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin （IL）-1， IL-6， IL-8， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， neuropeptide substance P， and β-endorphins （β-EP） in the serum of rats， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of IL-1β， purinergic receptor P2X7 （P2X7R）， and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK）. ResultCompared with that in the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group was significantly lower （P<0.01）. The absolute value of neutrophils （NEUT#） and the percentage of neutrophils （NEUT） were significantly improved， and the percentage of lymphocytes （LYMPH） was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The serum levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）. SP content in brain tissue was significantly increased， and β-EP content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The relative protein expression of IL-1β， P2X7R， and p-p38 MAPK was significantly increased （P<0.05）. HE staining and transmission electron microscopy results of medulla oblongata tissue revealed neuronal degeneration， mild proliferation of microglial cells， reduction in the number of myelinated nerves， and obvious demyelination. The trigeminal nerve fibers of rats were disarranged， and some nerve fibers showed vacuolization. Axons were swollen， and Schwann cells proliferated. Demyelination was observed. Compared with the model group， each administration group significantly increased the pain threshold of rats （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced NEUT# and NEUT， and elevated LYMPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The administration group significantly decreased the levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum and SP in brain tissue （P<0.01） and increased the level of β-EP （P<0.01）. They significantly down-regulated the protein expression of IL-1β， P2X7R， and p-p38 MAPK（P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly ameliorated the pathological changes in medulla oblongata tissue and trigeminal nerves of rats. ConclusionLutongning Granules had significant therapeutic effects on trigeminal neuralgia induced by injection of talc into the infraorbital foramen of model rats， and the mechanism may be related to amelioration of P2X7R-mediated neuroinflammation and inhibition of demyelination of myelinated nerves.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of graphene far-infrared irradiation on the relevant immune indexes of Lewis lung cancer tumor bearing mice after cisplatin chemotherapy.A lung cancer tumor-bearing mouse immune damage model was established in Lewis mice,and the model mice were divided into a model control group(CTL),a chemotherapy group(DDP),a low-power graphene group(G-Low,30℃),and a high-power graphene group(G-High,35℃).Mice in all groups were subjected to detect the tumor volume growth rate,thymus index and spleen index,spleen lymphocyte proliferation activity and NK cell killing activity,the number of white blood cells in the peripheral blood and the ratio of CD4+T/CD8+T in the peripheral blood.Compared with the CTL group,the thymus index and spleen index of the DDP group were significantly lower(P＜0.01);compared with the DDP group,the tumor inhibition rate of the G-Low group was significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the tumor inhibition rate of the G-High group was extremely significantly improved(P＜0.01).The thymus index,white blood cell count,peripheral blood CD4+T/CD8+T ratio,and NK cell killing activity of the spleen in the G-High group were significantly higher than those in the DDP group(P＜0.05).Taken together,Graphene far-infrared irradiation has a good repair effect on the immune damage caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in Lewis lung cancer tumor-bearing mice,and can significantly inhibit tumor growth.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of orthopedic robotic assistance and conventional freehand methods on surgical strategies, the safety of pedicle screw placement, and clinical efficacy in patients with upper cervical spine diseases.Methods:From January 2017 to March 2023, a total of 63 cases with upper cervical spine disease, were divided into two groups based on the screw placement technique: the robot-assisted pedicle screw placement (RA) group (41 cases) and the conventional freehand pedicle screw placement (CF) group (22 cases), were retrospectively included. These patients in the RA and CF groups underwent two types of posterior cervical surgery, including occipitocervical fusion (9 cases and 8 cases) and fixation and fusion of atlantoaxial and distal vertebrae (32 cases and 14 cases). The outcome parameters, including the disease course, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, radiation dose, hospital stay, treatment costs, complications, the rate of the pedicle screw placement, accuracy of upper cervical pedicle screw placement, and the risk factors that possibly affected the accuracy were recorded and analyzed. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for at least 6 months, and the efficacy of patients was assessed using imaging parameters, ASIS classification, VAS, and JOA scores.Results:Both groups had no screw-related complications and no spinal cord or vertebral artery injuries. In the RA group, the pedicle screw placement rates for the patients with occipitocervical fusion, and fixation and fusion of atlantoaxial and distal vertebrae were 100% (48/48) and 89.6% (138/154), respectively, far exceeding the placement rate in the CF group 42.9% (18/42) and 78.3% (54/69) (χ 2=37.403, P<0.001; χ 2=5.128, P=0.024). The fluoroscopic exposure dose and operation time of the two types of surgical patients in the RA group were both higher than those in the CF group ( P<0.05). Compared with the CF group, the accuracy of C 1 screws in the RA group increased from 42% (11/26) to 80% (51/64), with statistical significance (χ 2=13.342, P=0.004); while the accuracy of C 2 screws improved from 77% (33/43) to 88% (63/72) with no statistical difference (χ 2=2.863, P=0.413). Non-parametric correlation analysis found a significant correlation between the accuracy of C 1 and C 2 pedicle screw placement and the order of guide wire insertion in the RA group ( r=0.580, P<0.001; r=0.369, P=0.001). Postoperatively, both groups showed significant differences in cervicomedullary angle (CMA), Chamberlain angle (CL), McGregor angle, Boogard angle, Bull angle, clivus-canal angle (CCA), occipitocervical (C 0-C 2) angle, posterior occipitocervical angle (POCA), C 2-C 7 angle, and anterior atlantodental interval (ADI) ( P<0.05). The ASIA classification improved to varying degrees for both groups postoperatively, but there were no statistically significant differences between preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up evaluations. VAS and JOA scores significantly improved for both groups postoperatively and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Both orthopedic robotic-assisted and conventional freehand pedicle screw placement techniques achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects in the treatment of upper cervical spine diseases. The orthopedic robot can effectively ensure the accuracy of upper cervical pedicle screw placement, the increase placement rate of pedicle screws in the upper cervical spine, and reduce fluoroscopy exposure. However, it is necessary to avoid the vertebral displacement caused by the priority insertion of the guide needle, which may affect the accuracy of subsequent planning.

Objective To establish a lipid differentiation model of primary rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(rBMSCs)in vitro using homocysteine(Hcy),and analyze the specific effects of Hcy on lipid and bone differentiation of BMSCs;to comprehensively explore the effects of mangiferin on lipid and bone differentiation of BMSCs,and further reveal the potential mechanism of mangiferin in the treatment of osteoporosis through the inter-vention of Hcy-induced BMSCs by different concentrations of mangiferin.Methods First,rBMSCs were extracted and isolated.The rBMSCs that were well-cultured to a certain generation were placed in culture medium containing different concentrations of Hcy(0.125,0.250,0.5,1,2,4 mmol/L)to establish lipid differentiation model of rBMSCs.Then,different concentrations of mangiferin(37.5,75,150 μmol/L)were applied to the experimental cells for intervention.After culture for a certain period of time,the cells were collected for the following tests:The accumulation of lipids in the cells was detected by semi-quantitative method of oil red 0 dye solution to evaluate the degree of lipid differentiation;The activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)was measured by pNPP method;The expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)and type Ⅰ collagen(Col Ⅰ)were detected by western blot assay to evaluate the degree of bone differentiation.Results Mangiferin could significantly up-regulate the expression of BMP-2 and Col Ⅰ in vitro,increase the level of ALP,and promote bone differentiation of rBMSCs.Hcy promoted lipid differentiation of rBMSCs by increasing lipid accumulation,and down-regulated the expression of BMP-2 and Col Ⅰ,reduced the intracellular ALP level,thereby inhibiting bone differentiation of rBMSCs.How-ever,the above Hcy-related effects could be successfully reversed by mangiferin.Conclusion Mangiferin can sig-nificantly promote bone differentiation of rBMSCs in vitro,while Hcy can inhibit bone differentiation of rBMSCs and promote its lipid differentiation.Mangiferin has the ability to reverse this effect,indicating that mangiferin has certain potential in the treatment of osteoporosis-related diseases.