ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Ditan Decoction （涤痰汤） on chronic intermittent hypoxia cognitive function and the potential function mechanism. MethodsTwenty-four Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， a model group， and a modified Ditan Decoction group， with eight rats in each group. Rats in the modified Ditan Decoction group were administered the decoction by gavage at 14.8 ml/（kg·d）， while the normal group and the model group received the same dose of normal saline. Thirty minutes after daily gavage， the rats in all three groups were placed in an intermittent hypoxia chamber. The oxygen concentration for the model group and the modified Ditan Decoction group was adjusted daily for 8 hours using a computer program to establish the model， while the normal group was exposed to the same airflow rate of ambient air. The intervention was continued for 12 weeks to establish a chronic intermittent hypoxia rat model. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate spatial working memory in the rats. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging （rs-fMRI） was performed to detect whole-brain regional homogeneity （ReHo） and seed-based functional connectivity （FC）. Brain regions showing significant differences in rs-fMRI were selected for further analysis. Immunofluorescence was used to detect β-amyloid （Aβ） deposition and the number of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （IBA1）-positive microglial cells. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of synaptophysin （SYP）， the excitatory synapse marker vesicular glutamate transporter 1 （Vglut1）， and the inhibitory synapse marker vesicular γ-aminobutyric acid transporter （VGAT）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a reduced spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test. The smoothed Z-score standardized regional homogeneity （SzReHo） value in the left entorhinal cortex significantly increased， and the FC value from this seed point to the left basal forebrain significantly reduced. Additionally， the model group exhibited significantly higher Aβ fluorescence intensity and Iba1 positivity in the left entorhinal cortex， decreased expression of SYP， Vglut1， and VGAT， along with an increased Vglut1/VGAT ratio （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the model group， the modified Ditan Decoction group demonstrated an increased spontaneous alternation rate， a significantly reduced SzReHo value in the left entorhinal cortex， and a significantly increased FC value from this region to the left basal forebrain. Furthermore， this group showed significantly lower Aβ fluorescence intensity and Iba1 positivity in the left entorhinal cortex， increased levels of SYP， Vglut1， and VGAT， and a decreased Vglut1/VGAT ratio （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionModified Ditan Decoction can reconstruct the projection from the left basal forebrain to the entorhinal cortex in chronic intermittent hypoxia， thereby reducing Aβ aggregation and excessive microglial activation in the left entorhinal cortex. This process improves the excitation/inhibition imbalance caused by synaptic remodeling， ultimately enhancing cognitive function in rats of chronic intermittent hypoxia.

Objective: To investigate the regional differences in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma among kidney transplant recipients between northern and southern China，so as to provide reference for early diagnosis of this disease. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases，including CNKI，Wanfang，CBM，and PubMed，using the keywords “kidney transplantation” and “tumor” to collect clinical data from qualified kidney transplant centers.The latest and most complete literature data published by 17 transplant centers in northern China and 14 in southern China were included.Statistical analyses were performed to compare the incidence of post-transplant urothelial carcinoma and non-urothelial malignancies. Results: A total of 37 475 kidney transplant recipients were included，among whom 837 (2.23%) developed post-transplant malignancies，including urothelial carcinoma (366/837，43.73%)，non-urothelial carcinoma (444/837，53.05%)，and malignancies with unspecified pathology (27/837，3.23%).The incidence of malignancies was significantly higher in northern China than in southern China [(2.82±1.39)% vs. (1.67±0.83)%，P=0.011]，with a particularly pronounced difference in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma [(1.68±1.12)% vs. (0.32±0.32)%，P<0.001].No significant difference was observed in the incidence of non-urothelial carcinoma between the two regions [(1.11±0.56)% vs. (1.35±0.65)%，P=0.279].Additionally，female transplant recipients exhibited a higher incidence of malignancies than males in both regions (southern China：2.38% vs. 1.80%; northern China：8.93% vs. 2.52%). Conclusion: The incidence of urothelial carcinoma following kidney transplantation is significantly higher in northern China than in southern China，underscoring the importance of implementing regular tumor screening for kidney transplant recipients，particularly for female patients in northern China，to facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention.

The clinical data of 160 elderly patients with upper urinary tract stones who underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURL) in Beijing Hospital from May 2021 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 80 patients with ambulatory surgery (study group) and 80 patients with the traditional surgery (control group). The efficacy and safety were compared between two groups. There were no significant differences in the rate of complete stone removal (91.3% (73/80) vs. 90.0% (72/80), P>0.05), operation time (60.0 (41.0, 90.0)min vs.61.0(50.0, 96.5)min, P>0.05), and incidence of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (8.8% (7/80) vs.12.5% (10/80), P>0.05) between two groups, while the postoperative length of hospital stay (5.0 (5.0, 6.0)h vs. 18.0 (16.2, 30.0)h, P<0.05) was shorter and the medical expenses ((20 696.7±4 645.5)Yuan vs. (31 030.8±6 275.1)Yuan, P<0.05) was less in the study group than those in the control group. The study indicates that the day surgery mode of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy has advantages of faster recovery and less cost over the traditional surgery mode for elderly patients.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jiawei Ditan Decoction on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-oxygen intervention,and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups using the random number table method,with 10 rats per group.The low-oxygen and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups were treated with intermittent hypoxia chamber for modeling,with 8 h of intervention daily.Gavage administration was performed before and after daily intervention.The intervention group received a dosage of 16.38 g/kg Jiawei Ditan Decoction,whereas the other two groups received normal saline.The experimental intervention period was 12 weeks.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in cardiomyocytes.Biochemical detection was used to measure the Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in myocardial tissue.Phosphorylated-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),PI3K,phosphorylated-protein kinase B(p-Akt),Akt,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured using western blotting.The rat cardiomyocyte cell line,H9c2,was cultured in high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium,and the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect drug components in Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell survival rate of cells treated with different concentrations of Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The cells were divided into the normoxic,erastin,and erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups,and p-Akt and GPX4 protein expression was measured using western blotting.p-PI3K and GPX4 protein expression were detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P groups.The p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,and GPX4 protein expression was detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 6 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low-dose,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction medium-dose,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction high-dose groups(drug concentrations of 5,10,and 20 g/L,respectively).Results The myocardial cells in the low-oxygen intervention group were disordered and swollen and the mitochondrial arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered,with increased mitochondrial membrane density,ruptured cristae,and vacudar degeneration compared with those in the normal control group.The myocardial cells in the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group were arranged neater,and the morphology of mitochondria was relatively regular than those in the low-oxygen intervention group,and no apparent swelling was observed.Compared with the normal control group,the low-oxygen intervention group showed an increase in the MDA and Fe2+content,a decrease in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,decreased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and increased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-oxygen intervention group,the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed a decrease in MDA and Fe2+content,an increase in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,increased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and decreased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Jiawei Ditan Decoction contained DL-stachydrine,D-(+)-malicacid,adenosine,etc.The cell survival rate of the 10.00 g/L group increased(P＜0.05)compared to that of the Jiawei Ditan Decoction 0,1.25,2.50,5.00,and 20.00 g/L groups.Compared with the normoxic group,p-Akt and GPX4 expression decreased in the erastin group(P＜0.05);compared with the erastin group,the erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed increased p-Akt and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,p-PI3K and GPX4 expression decreased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group(P＜0.01);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group,the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P group showed increased p-PI3K and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,GPX4 expression and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K were reduced in the low-oxygen intervention 6 and 12 h groups(P＜0.05);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 6 h and 12 h groups,the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values increased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low,medium,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05).GPX4 expression was also increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Ditan Decoction may improve cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby playing a protective role against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced cardiac injury in rats.

Objective:To understand the incidence of diabetes and influencing factors, the trend of FPG change and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong).Methods:The HIV/AIDS treatment database was collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART in Dehong during 2004-2020.The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the incidence density of diabetes, the influencing factors and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART, mixed linear effects model was used to analyze the trend of FPG change and predict FPG in those with different glucose metabolic status at baseline survey. Statistical analysis was performed using software SAS 9.4.Results:A total of 8 763 HIV-infected individuals were included, in whom 8 432 (96.2%) had no diabetes, 331 had diabetes. The incidence density of diabetes was 2.31/1 000 person years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that 30- 59 years old, BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2, Efavirenz (EFV) based initial treatment regimen and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at baseline survey were significantly and positively associated with incidence of diabetes. Mixed effect model revealed that FPG was positively correlated with the duration of ART, age and baseline FPG. Suffering from diabetes was a risk factor for mortality in HIV-infected individuals both at baseline survey and during follow-up. Conclusions:The risk for diabetes increased in HIV-infected individuals who were 30-59 years old, baseline BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2, received EFV based initial treatment, and IFG in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy in Dehong, 2004-2020. It is important to pay close attention to their blood glucose, and patients with high blood glucose should receive treatment as early as possible.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy (nCIT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:Clinical data of patients who received nCRT or nCIT followed by esophagectomy for locally advanced ESCC between January 2010 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, with 155 patients in the nCRT group and 470 patients in the nCIT group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed in the two groups. After PSM, 120 patients were allocated to the nCRT group and 192 patients to the nCIT group. The pathological response and disease recurrence were compared between the two groups after PSM. Log rank test were used to compare the survival outcomes before and after PSM. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for locally advanced ESCC.Results:After PSM, the R0 resection rate in the nCRT group and the nCIT group was 93.3% (112/120) and 93.8% (180/192), respectively, with no statistical significance ( P=0.884). However, the pathological complete response rate in the nCRT group [36.7% (44/120)] was higher than that in the nCIT group [21.4% (41/192), P=0.003]. For patients with R0 resection, the major recurrence pattern was distant metastasis [18.8% (21/112)] in the nCRT group, while the pattern was locoregional recurrence [12.2% (22/180)] in the nCIT group. The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 52.7% and 66.1% ( P=0.022) and the 3-year overall survival rates were 59.2% and 75.5% ( P=0.002) in the nCRT and nCIT groups, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed that the neoadjuvant therapy mode was an independent prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced ESCC. Compared with nCRT, nCIT could significantly prolong disease-free survival ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.40-0.86) and overall survival ( HR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.35-0.79). Conclusion:These results suggest that nCIT could significantly improve disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate over nCRT in locally advanced ESCC, even with lower pathological complete response rate.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jiawei Ditan Decoction on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-oxygen intervention,and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups using the random number table method,with 10 rats per group.The low-oxygen and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups were treated with intermittent hypoxia chamber for modeling,with 8 h of intervention daily.Gavage administration was performed before and after daily intervention.The intervention group received a dosage of 16.38 g/kg Jiawei Ditan Decoction,whereas the other two groups received normal saline.The experimental intervention period was 12 weeks.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in cardiomyocytes.Biochemical detection was used to measure the Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in myocardial tissue.Phosphorylated-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),PI3K,phosphorylated-protein kinase B(p-Akt),Akt,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured using western blotting.The rat cardiomyocyte cell line,H9c2,was cultured in high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium,and the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect drug components in Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell survival rate of cells treated with different concentrations of Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The cells were divided into the normoxic,erastin,and erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups,and p-Akt and GPX4 protein expression was measured using western blotting.p-PI3K and GPX4 protein expression were detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P groups.The p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,and GPX4 protein expression was detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 6 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low-dose,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction medium-dose,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction high-dose groups(drug concentrations of 5,10,and 20 g/L,respectively).Results The myocardial cells in the low-oxygen intervention group were disordered and swollen and the mitochondrial arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered,with increased mitochondrial membrane density,ruptured cristae,and vacudar degeneration compared with those in the normal control group.The myocardial cells in the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group were arranged neater,and the morphology of mitochondria was relatively regular than those in the low-oxygen intervention group,and no apparent swelling was observed.Compared with the normal control group,the low-oxygen intervention group showed an increase in the MDA and Fe2+content,a decrease in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,decreased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and increased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-oxygen intervention group,the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed a decrease in MDA and Fe2+content,an increase in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,increased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and decreased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Jiawei Ditan Decoction contained DL-stachydrine,D-(+)-malicacid,adenosine,etc.The cell survival rate of the 10.00 g/L group increased(P＜0.05)compared to that of the Jiawei Ditan Decoction 0,1.25,2.50,5.00,and 20.00 g/L groups.Compared with the normoxic group,p-Akt and GPX4 expression decreased in the erastin group(P＜0.05);compared with the erastin group,the erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed increased p-Akt and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,p-PI3K and GPX4 expression decreased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group(P＜0.01);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group,the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P group showed increased p-PI3K and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,GPX4 expression and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K were reduced in the low-oxygen intervention 6 and 12 h groups(P＜0.05);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 6 h and 12 h groups,the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values increased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low,medium,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05).GPX4 expression was also increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Ditan Decoction may improve cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby playing a protective role against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced cardiac injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jiawei Ditan Decoction on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-oxygen intervention,and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups using the random number table method,with 10 rats per group.The low-oxygen and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups were treated with intermittent hypoxia chamber for modeling,with 8 h of intervention daily.Gavage administration was performed before and after daily intervention.The intervention group received a dosage of 16.38 g/kg Jiawei Ditan Decoction,whereas the other two groups received normal saline.The experimental intervention period was 12 weeks.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in cardiomyocytes.Biochemical detection was used to measure the Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in myocardial tissue.Phosphorylated-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),PI3K,phosphorylated-protein kinase B(p-Akt),Akt,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured using western blotting.The rat cardiomyocyte cell line,H9c2,was cultured in high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium,and the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect drug components in Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell survival rate of cells treated with different concentrations of Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The cells were divided into the normoxic,erastin,and erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups,and p-Akt and GPX4 protein expression was measured using western blotting.p-PI3K and GPX4 protein expression were detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P groups.The p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,and GPX4 protein expression was detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 6 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low-dose,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction medium-dose,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction high-dose groups(drug concentrations of 5,10,and 20 g/L,respectively).Results The myocardial cells in the low-oxygen intervention group were disordered and swollen and the mitochondrial arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered,with increased mitochondrial membrane density,ruptured cristae,and vacudar degeneration compared with those in the normal control group.The myocardial cells in the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group were arranged neater,and the morphology of mitochondria was relatively regular than those in the low-oxygen intervention group,and no apparent swelling was observed.Compared with the normal control group,the low-oxygen intervention group showed an increase in the MDA and Fe2+content,a decrease in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,decreased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and increased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-oxygen intervention group,the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed a decrease in MDA and Fe2+content,an increase in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,increased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and decreased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Jiawei Ditan Decoction contained DL-stachydrine,D-(+)-malicacid,adenosine,etc.The cell survival rate of the 10.00 g/L group increased(P＜0.05)compared to that of the Jiawei Ditan Decoction 0,1.25,2.50,5.00,and 20.00 g/L groups.Compared with the normoxic group,p-Akt and GPX4 expression decreased in the erastin group(P＜0.05);compared with the erastin group,the erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed increased p-Akt and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,p-PI3K and GPX4 expression decreased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group(P＜0.01);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group,the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P group showed increased p-PI3K and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,GPX4 expression and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K were reduced in the low-oxygen intervention 6 and 12 h groups(P＜0.05);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 6 h and 12 h groups,the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values increased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low,medium,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05).GPX4 expression was also increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Ditan Decoction may improve cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby playing a protective role against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced cardiac injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jiawei Ditan Decoction on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-oxygen intervention,and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups using the random number table method,with 10 rats per group.The low-oxygen and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups were treated with intermittent hypoxia chamber for modeling,with 8 h of intervention daily.Gavage administration was performed before and after daily intervention.The intervention group received a dosage of 16.38 g/kg Jiawei Ditan Decoction,whereas the other two groups received normal saline.The experimental intervention period was 12 weeks.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in cardiomyocytes.Biochemical detection was used to measure the Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in myocardial tissue.Phosphorylated-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),PI3K,phosphorylated-protein kinase B(p-Akt),Akt,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured using western blotting.The rat cardiomyocyte cell line,H9c2,was cultured in high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium,and the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect drug components in Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell survival rate of cells treated with different concentrations of Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The cells were divided into the normoxic,erastin,and erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups,and p-Akt and GPX4 protein expression was measured using western blotting.p-PI3K and GPX4 protein expression were detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P groups.The p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,and GPX4 protein expression was detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 6 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low-dose,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction medium-dose,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction high-dose groups(drug concentrations of 5,10,and 20 g/L,respectively).Results The myocardial cells in the low-oxygen intervention group were disordered and swollen and the mitochondrial arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered,with increased mitochondrial membrane density,ruptured cristae,and vacudar degeneration compared with those in the normal control group.The myocardial cells in the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group were arranged neater,and the morphology of mitochondria was relatively regular than those in the low-oxygen intervention group,and no apparent swelling was observed.Compared with the normal control group,the low-oxygen intervention group showed an increase in the MDA and Fe2+content,a decrease in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,decreased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and increased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-oxygen intervention group,the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed a decrease in MDA and Fe2+content,an increase in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,increased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and decreased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Jiawei Ditan Decoction contained DL-stachydrine,D-(+)-malicacid,adenosine,etc.The cell survival rate of the 10.00 g/L group increased(P＜0.05)compared to that of the Jiawei Ditan Decoction 0,1.25,2.50,5.00,and 20.00 g/L groups.Compared with the normoxic group,p-Akt and GPX4 expression decreased in the erastin group(P＜0.05);compared with the erastin group,the erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed increased p-Akt and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,p-PI3K and GPX4 expression decreased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group(P＜0.01);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group,the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P group showed increased p-PI3K and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,GPX4 expression and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K were reduced in the low-oxygen intervention 6 and 12 h groups(P＜0.05);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 6 h and 12 h groups,the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values increased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low,medium,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05).GPX4 expression was also increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Ditan Decoction may improve cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby playing a protective role against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced cardiac injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jiawei Ditan Decoction on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats with chronic intermittent hypoxia based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-oxygen intervention,and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups using the random number table method,with 10 rats per group.The low-oxygen and Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups were treated with intermittent hypoxia chamber for modeling,with 8 h of intervention daily.Gavage administration was performed before and after daily intervention.The intervention group received a dosage of 16.38 g/kg Jiawei Ditan Decoction,whereas the other two groups received normal saline.The experimental intervention period was 12 weeks.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of myocardial tissue.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in cardiomyocytes.Biochemical detection was used to measure the Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in myocardial tissue.Phosphorylated-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),PI3K,phosphorylated-protein kinase B(p-Akt),Akt,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured using western blotting.The rat cardiomyocyte cell line,H9c2,was cultured in high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium,and the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect drug components in Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell survival rate of cells treated with different concentrations of Jiawei Ditan Decoction.The cells were divided into the normoxic,erastin,and erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention groups,and p-Akt and GPX4 protein expression was measured using western blotting.p-PI3K and GPX4 protein expression were detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P groups.The p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,and GPX4 protein expression was detected in the normoxic,low-oxygen intervention 6 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low-dose,low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction medium-dose,and low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction high-dose groups(drug concentrations of 5,10,and 20 g/L,respectively).Results The myocardial cells in the low-oxygen intervention group were disordered and swollen and the mitochondrial arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered,with increased mitochondrial membrane density,ruptured cristae,and vacudar degeneration compared with those in the normal control group.The myocardial cells in the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group were arranged neater,and the morphology of mitochondria was relatively regular than those in the low-oxygen intervention group,and no apparent swelling was observed.Compared with the normal control group,the low-oxygen intervention group showed an increase in the MDA and Fe2+content,a decrease in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,decreased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and increased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-oxygen intervention group,the Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed a decrease in MDA and Fe2+content,an increase in the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values,increased SLC7A11,GPX4,and Nrf2 expression,and decreased ACSL4 expression(P＜0.05).Jiawei Ditan Decoction contained DL-stachydrine,D-(+)-malicacid,adenosine,etc.The cell survival rate of the 10.00 g/L group increased(P＜0.05)compared to that of the Jiawei Ditan Decoction 0,1.25,2.50,5.00,and 20.00 g/L groups.Compared with the normoxic group,p-Akt and GPX4 expression decreased in the erastin group(P＜0.05);compared with the erastin group,the erastin+Jiawei Ditan Decoction intervention group showed increased p-Akt and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,p-PI3K and GPX4 expression decreased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group(P＜0.01);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 12 h group,the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+740Y-P group showed increased p-PI3K and GPX4 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the normoxic group,GPX4 expression and the p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K were reduced in the low-oxygen intervention 6 and 12 h groups(P＜0.05);compared with the low-oxygen intervention 6 h and 12 h groups,the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt values increased in the low-oxygen intervention 12 h+Jiawei Ditan Decoction low,medium,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05).GPX4 expression was also increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Jiawei Ditan Decoction may improve cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in rats by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby playing a protective role against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced cardiac injury in rats.