1.Construction and practice of the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine
Zhipeng WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Chun YAO ; Minggang WANG ; Na WANG ; Mengru PENG ; Ningfang MO ; Yaqing ZHENG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):370-374
Hepatic encephalopathy is a difficult and critical disease with rapid progression and limited treatment methods in the field of liver disease, and it is urgently needed to make breakthroughs in its pathogenesis. Selection of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies is of great importance in delaying disease progression and reducing the incidence and mortality rates. This article reviews the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine, proposes a new theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, analyzes the scientific connotations of “turbid”, “toxin”, and the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, and constructs the “four-step” prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy, thereby establishing the new clinical prevention and treatment regimen for hepatic encephalopathy represented by “four prescriptions and two techniques” and clarifying the effect mechanism and biological basis of core prescriptions and techniques in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
2.Efficacy of flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy with flexible vacuum-assisted urethral access sheath for 1-2 cm lower renal calyceal stones
Dujian WANG ; Qinglai TANG ; Fade LIU ; Xingzhu ZHOU ; Rongzhen TAO
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):29-33
[Objective] To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy (FURL) combined with flexible vacuum-assisted urethral access sheath (FV-UAS) and traditional UAS in the treatment of 1-2 cm lower renal calyceal stones, so as to provide reference for clinical practice. [Methods] Clinical data of 157 patients with 1-2 cm lower renal calyceal stones treated with FURL during Mar.2021 and Oct.2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 80 treated with traditional UAS, and 77 with FV-UAS.General and clinical information of the two groups were compared. [Results] The immediate stone-free rate (SFR) (84.4% vs.67.5%, P=0.013) and final SFR (88.3% vs. 75.0%, P=0.032) of the FV-UAS group were significantly higher than those of the traditional UAS group, with significant difference.The incidence of postoperative complications such as fever, renal colic, and perirenal hematoma was significantly higher in the traditional UAS group than in the FV-UAS group (15.0% vs.5.2%, P=0.042). After treatment with anti-infective and analgesic drugs, both groups were improved, and no severe sepsis or septic shock occurred after surgery.The hospitalization expenses of the FV-UAS group were significantly lower than those of the traditional UAS group [ (18 341±1519)yuan vs.(19 152±1826)yuan, P=0.003]. [Conclusion] Compared to the traditional UAS, the combination of FURL and FV-UAS for the 1-2 cm lower renal calyceal stones has a high SFR and low incidence of complications.Patients experience less pain, recover faster and spend less.It's a new treatment option for inferior calyceal calculi.
3.Mechanism of Chaipo Decoction in Alleviating Pyroptosis in Asthmatic Rats via Regulation of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Pathway
Guoran PENG ; Beibei CHENG ; Rongzhen DING ; Aiguo DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of Chaipo decoction on bronchial asthma in rats and its regulatory effects on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1)/Gasdermin D (GSDMD) pathway, aiming to elucidate its mechanism in ameliorating pyroptosis. MethodsSixty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 per group): normal control, asthma model, Chaipo decoction low-dose (5.0 g·kg-1), medium-dose (10.0 g·kg-1), high-dose (20.0 g·kg-1), and dexamethasone (1.0 mg·kg-1). The asthma model was established in all groups except the normal control group via ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge. Rats in the Chaipo decoction groups received intragastric administration of Chaipo decoction at the corresponding doses, while the dexamethasone group was treated with dexamethasone. The normal and model groups were administered equivalent volumes of saline. After 14 days of intervention, asthma symptom scores were assessed. Dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), lung resistance (RL), and functional residual capacity (FRC) were measured using a small animal pulmonary function testing system. Lung tissue pathology was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of NLRP3 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) in lung tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and other pyroptosis-related proteins were measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly increased asthma symptom scores, inflammatory scores, collagen deposition, PAS scores, RL, FRC, levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 in BALF, and expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and other pyroptosis-related proteins in lung tissue (P0.01), while Cdyn was significantly decreased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, all doses of Chaipo decoction markedly improved asthma symptoms, with significantly reduced symptom scores (P0.05, P0.01). Pulmonary function analysis showed that medium and high doses of Chaipo decoction significantly increased Cdyn (P0.05, P0.01) and decreased RL and FRC (P0.05, P0.01). Histopathological evaluation indicated that high-dose Chaipo decoction significantly reduced inflammatory scores, collagen deposition, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissue (P0.05, P0.01). ELISA results showed that all doses of Chaipo decoction significantly decreased IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels in BALF (P0.05, P0.01). IHC and Western blot analyses demonstrated that medium and high doses of Chaipo decoction markedly downregulated NLRP3, ASC, and other pyroptosis-related proteins in lung tissue (P0.05, P0.01). ConclusionChaipo decoction effectively improves pulmonary function and pathological damage in asthmatic rats, potentially by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway and reducing pyroptosis.
4.Lung Adenocarcinoma with EGFR Exon 20 H773_V774delinsLM Mutation Sensitive to Furmonertinib: A Case Report.
Rongzhen LI ; Yan XU ; Xiaoxing GAO ; Minjiang CHEN ; Wei ZHONG ; Mengzhao WANG
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(6):477-481
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 mutations represent a rare subset of genetic alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among them, the complex mutation H773_V774delinsLM is exceedingly uncommon, accounting for only 0.2%-1% of all EGFR mutations. It is currently believed that rare EGFR mutations are generally resistant to the first- and second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although the third-generation EGFR-TKIs have shown some efficacy in certain rare mutations, clinical evidence regarding their use in NSCLC patients with the H773_V774delinsLM mutation remains sparse, and their efficacy and safety are yet to be clarified. Here, we present the first documented case of a patient with EGFR H773_V774delinsLM-mutant lung adenocarcinoma who experienced remarkable tumor regression following treatment with furmonertinib. This case highlights the potential utility of furmonertinib in treating patients with this rare EGFR mutation and may provide valuable insight into emerging treatment strategies for similarly affected patients.
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Humans
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Adenocarcinoma/genetics*
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Adenocarcinoma of Lung
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ErbB Receptors/genetics*
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Exons/genetics*
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Lung Neoplasms/enzymology*
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Mutation
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
5.Albumin-bound paclitaxel plus anlotinib in patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant primary epithelial ovarian cancer (A-Plus): a phase II, single-arm, prospective study.
Yun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Yin WANG ; Ji-Bin LI ; Rongzhen LUO ; Chanjuan ZENG ; Yingxin HE ; Yanfang LI
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(5):820-830
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining albumin-bound paclitaxel (abpaclitaxel) and anlotinib for ovarian cancer. In this study, 44 patients diagnosed with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were enrolled. Patients received ab-paclitaxel along with anlotinib until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Efficacy was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 criteria or Rustin's criteria. The primary endpoint was the investigator-evaluated objective response rate (ORR). 44 patients were enrolled between January 2021 and March 2023 with a median age of 49 years. Twenty-nine had measurable lesions and 15 had non-measurable lesions. Overall, the investigator-evaluated ORR was 56.8% (25/44; 95% CI 0.411-0.713) in intention-to-treat population and 58.1% (25/43; 95% CI 0.422-0.726) in per-protocol population. The median progression-free survival was 9.8 months, and the median duration of response was 7.4 months. For safety, grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) included leukopenia, gum pain, hypertension, and hand-foot syndrome. The response rates were 55.0% (11/20) in patients with previous use of antiangiogenic reagents and who had previous use of PARP inhibitors. The combination of ab-paclitaxel and anlotinib showed promising anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Patients with previous use of antiangiogenic drugs or PARP inhibitors still benefited from this protocol.
Humans
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Indoles/therapeutic use*
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Quinolines/therapeutic use*
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Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/drug therapy*
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Adult
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Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy*
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Prospective Studies
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage*
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Aged
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
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Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel/therapeutic use*
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy*
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Progression-Free Survival
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Paclitaxel/administration & dosage*
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Treatment Outcome
6.Exploration of the Effects and Mechanisms of Feixin Decoction on Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Rats Based on PPAR-γ/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Junlan TAN ; Jian YI ; Xianya CAO ; Feiying WANG ; Rongzhen DING ; Aiguo DAI
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(3):307-316
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Feixin Decoction(Astragali Radix,Pericae Semen,Carthami Flos,Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,etc.)on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)rats based on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ/nuclear factor-κB(PPAR-γ/NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,Sildenafil group(0.025 g·kg-1)and low-,medium-and high-dose of Feixin Decoction groups(11.7,23.4,46.8 g·kg-1).PAH rat model was established by single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline solution(60 mg·kg-1).After 1 hour of modeling,the rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 days.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters including right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP),mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP),right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI),pulmonary artery acceleration time(PAAT),pulmonary artery ejection time(PET),tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE),right ventricular internal diameter(RVIDd)and right ventricular anterior wall thickness(RVAWT)were measured in each group.The pathological changes of pulmonary arterioles were observed by HE staining.The expression level of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in rat pulmonary artery was detected by immunofluorescence.The levels of plasma interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.The expression levels of PPAR-γ/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the RVSP,mPAP,RVHI,RVIDd and RVAWT of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01).PAAT,PAAT/PET and TAPSE were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The wall of pulmonary arterioles was significantly thickened,and the percentage of wall thickness of pulmonary arterioles to vascular diameter and the percentage of vascular wall area to total cross-sectional area of pulmonary arterioles were significantly increased(P<0.01).The positive expression rate of α-SMA protein in pulmonary artery was significantly increased(P<0.01).The levels of plasma IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased(P<0.01).The positive expression rate of PPAR-γ protein in lung tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the positive expression rate of NF-κB protein was significantly increased(P<0.01).The protein expressions of PPAR-γ and IκB-α in lung tissue were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01).The protein expression ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB was significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,RVSP,mPAP,RVHI,RVIDd and RVAWT in each administration group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while PAAT,PAAT/PET and TAPSE were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The thickness of the vascular wall was significantly reduced,and the percentage of the wall thickness of the pulmonary arterioles to the diameter of the blood vessels and the percentage of the vascular wall area to the total cross-sectional area of the small arteries were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01).The positive expression rate of α-SMA protein in pulmonary artery was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The plasma levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The positive expression rate of PPAR-γ protein in lung tissue was significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the positive expression rate of NF-κB protein was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The protein expression of PPAR-γ in lung tissue was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the protein expression ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The protein expression of IκB-α in the lung tissue of rats in the high-dose group of Feixin Decoction was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01).Conclusion Feixin Decoction can improve pulmonary artery pressure,right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH rats induced by monocrotaline.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of PPAR-γ/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory response.
7.Protective mechanism of rhubarb decoction against inflammatory damage of brain tissue in rats with mild hepatic encephalopathy: A study based on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Guangfa ZHANG ; Yingying CAI ; Long LIN ; Lei FU ; Fan YAO ; Meng WANG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Yueqiao CHEN ; Liangjiang HUANG ; Han WANG ; Yun SU ; Yanmei LAN ; Yingyu LE ; Dewen MAO ; Chun YAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(2):312-318
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and possible mechanism of action of rhubarb decoction (RD) retention enema in improving inflammatory damage of brain tissue in a rat model of mild hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). MethodsA total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into blank group (CON group with 6 rats) and chronic liver cirrhosis modeling group with 54 rats using the complete randomization method. After 12 weeks, 40 rats with successful modeling which were confirmed to meet the requirements for MHE model by the Morris water maze test were randomly divided into model group (MOD group), lactulose group (LT group), low-dose RD group (RD1 group), middle-dose RD group (RD2 group), and high-dose RD group (RD3 group), with 8 rats in each group. The rats in the CON group and the MOD group were given retention enema with 2 mL of normal saline once a day; the rats in the LT group were given retention enema with 2 mL of lactulose at a dose of 22.5% once a day; the rats in the RD1, RD2, and RD3 groups were given retention enema with 2 mL RD at a dose of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g/kg, respectively, once a day. After 10 days of treatment, the Morris water maze test was performed to analyze the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats. The rats were analyzed from the following aspects: behavioral status; the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the level of blood ammonia; pathological changes of liver tissue and brain tissue; the mRNA and protein expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in brain tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the MOD group, the RD1, RD2, and RD3 groups had a significantly shorter escape latency (all P<0.01), significant reductions in the levels of ALT, AST, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and blood ammonia (all P<0.05), significant alleviation of the degeneration, necrosis, and inflammation of hepatocytes and brain cells, and significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR in brain tissue (all P<0.05), and the RD3 group had a better treatment outcome than the RD1 and RD2 groups. ConclusionRetention enema with RD can improve cognitive function and inflammatory damage of brain tissue in MHE rats, possibly by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
8.Expression and biological function of TRP signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
Zhipeng WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Minggang WANG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(6):743-747
In recent years,the morbidity and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have been increasing worldwide,and the treatment strategies for HCC are still insufficient,which highlights the importance of exploring the pathogenesis and progression of HCC.Transient receptor potential(TRP)pathway is an important non-selective cation pathway,which is closely related to inflammatory response and sensory conduction.At present,a number of studies have shown that TRP pathway is also involved in the occurrence and development of HCC,inducing HCC invasion and migration.However,the overall potential mechanism and possible signal transduction pathways of TRP pathway in HCC remain unclear.Therefore,this article discusses the abnormal expression of TRP pathway in HCC,and reviews the key biological events of TRP pathway involved in the formation and progression of HCC,such as chronic liver inflammation-fibrosis progression,HCC cell proliferation,migration,apoptosis and HCC stem cell generation,and looks forward to its application prospect in HCC treatment.The aim is to better un-derstand the significance of TRP pathway in HCC,help to find new therapeutic targets and effective drugs,and open up a new situation for future clinical treatment.
9.Risk factors and establishment of a nomogram prediction model for hypoproteinemia after hip revision
Junfeng CHEN ; Rongzhen XIE ; Weishi HONG ; Yu SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(30):4837-4841
BACKGROUND:The high rate of postoperative hypoproteinemia in patients undergoing hip revision is associated with severe trauma,which affects the rapid recovery of patients. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the risk factors of perioperative hypoproteinemia in patients with hip revision,and to provide guidance for early screening of high-risk patients with postoperative hypoproteinemia. METHODS:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,161 patients who underwent hip revision were divided into hypoproteinemia group(76 cases)and normal group(85 cases).The rate of hypoproteinemia was 47.2%.Data such as age,gender,body mass index,osteoporosis,operation time,preoperative erythrocytes,preoperative hemoglobin,preoperative leukocytes,preoperative platelets,preoperative fibrinogen,preoperative C-reaction protein,preoperative sedimentation rate,preoperative blood calcium,preoperative albumin,postoperative drainage tube placement,American Society of Anesthesiologists score,and postoperative hypoproteinemia were collected.SPSS software was used to analyze the independent risk factors of hypoproteinemia after hip revision using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.R software was used to construct the nomogram prediction model.Receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curve and decision curve were drawn to evaluate the model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Univariate analysis results showed that body mass index,preoperative erythrocytes,preoperative hemoglobin,preoperative platelets,preoperative fibrinogen,preoperative C-reaction protein,and operation time were significantly different between the two groups(P<0.05).(2)Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis results showed that body mass index(OR=0.859,P=0.021),operation time(OR=1.010,P=0.002),preoperative erythrocytes(OR=0.424,P=0.036),and preoperative C-reaction protein(OR=1.043,P=0.032)levels were independent risk factors for postoperative hypoproteinemia in patients with hip revision.(3)Based on four independent risk factors:body mass index,operation time,preoperative erythrocytes and preoperative C-reaction protein,the nomogram can effectively predict the risk of hypoproteinemia after hip revision.This nomogram prediction model has good differentiation and accuracy,and may lead to better clinical net benefits for patients.
10.Effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on muscle degeneration after massive rotator cuff injury in mice
Rongzhen HE ; Lyufang YING ; Xingwen HE ; Chuanshun CHEN ; Yuesong YIN ; Kexiang ZHANG ; Zili WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(32):5136-5140
BACKGROUND:Rotator cuff muscle degeneration(muscle atrophy,fibrosis and fatty infiltration)is a common condition after rotator cuff tears,which seriously affects shoulder function and surgical outcomes.Ginsenoside Rg1 has biological effects such as anti-oxidation,anti-apoptosis and lipid-lowering.However,the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on muscle degeneration after rotator cuff tear has not been reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on muscle degeneration after massive rotator cuff tear in mice. METHODS:Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group,model group,ginsenoside Rg1 low dose group and ginsenoside Rg1 high dose group,with 15 mice in each group.The skin of the right shoulder of mice in the sham group was cut and sutured.Massive rotator cuff tear mouse models of the right shoulder were established in the other three groups.Supraspinatus tendon and suprascapular nerve compression were administrated.Mice in the sham and model groups were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mL of saline after operation,while those in the ginsenoside Rg1 low and high dose groups were intraperitoneally injected with ginsenoside Rg1 30 and 60 mg/kg respectively,once a day,for 6 weeks.Mice were assessed for limb function by gait analysis the day after the last injection.After euthanasia,the supraspinatus muscle on the operated side was taken to measure the muscle atrophy rate and muscle contractility.Muscle tissue was stained with oil red O and Masson.RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of atrophy,fibrosis,and fatty infiltration related genes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,low-and high-dose ginsenoside Rg1 significantly increased paw print area and step length(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,low-and high-dose ginsenoside Rg1 significantly increased myofiber cross-sectional area and supraspinatus contractility(P<0.05),and significantly decreased wet muscle mass reduction ratio,fatty infiltration area ratio,and collagen fiber area ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,low-and high-dose ginsenoside Rg1 significantly decreased the expression of atrophy,fibrosis,and fatty infiltration related genes(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in paw print area,supraspinatus muscle contractility,and myofiber cross-sectional area between ginsenoside Rg1 low and high dose groups(P>0.05),and all other indexes were better in the ginsenoside Rg1 high dose group than in the ginsenoside Rg1 low dose group(P<0.05).To conclude,ginsenoside Rg1 could significantly reduce muscle atrophy,fibrosis and fatty infiltration following massive rotator cuff tear in mice,which is beneficial to improve muscle strength and limb function.

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