Objective This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Naoxinqing on non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet through network pharmacology,molecular docking and in vitro and in vivo experiments. Methods ApoE-/-mice were given a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the NAFLD model,followed by a 12-week Naoxinqing administration. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Naoxinqing on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet,biochemical and histopathological experiments were performed,including assessment of blood lipids,liver function,serum inflammatory factors,as well as Hematoxylin and eosin (HE),Oil red O,and Sirius red staining of liver. Subsequently,network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were employed to predict the key targets of Naoxinqing. Finally,the mechanism of Naoxinqing was validated by Western Blot in HepG2 cells and liver tissue. Results The results of serum biochemistry and liver tissue pathology showed that Naoxinqing can significantly improve high-fat diet-induced hepatic lipid accumulation,hepatocellular injury,and inflammation. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis results suggested that Naoxinqing may affect lipid metabolism through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway. Finally,in vitro cell experiment confirmed that the main mechanism of Naoxinqing is to activative the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway,upregulate the expression of downstream carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1A),promote fatty acid oxidation,and ultimately improve NAFLD. Conclusion This study demonstrated that Naoxinqing improved NAFLD by promoting fatty acid oxidation through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a promising therapy that has been increasingly explored in basic research and clinical applications. LIPUS is an appealing therapeutic option as it is a noninvasive treatment that has many advantages, including no risk of infection or tissue damage and no known adverse reactions. LIPUS has been shown to have many benefits including promotion of tissue healing, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration; inhibition of inflammation and pain relief; and stimulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The biophysical mechanisms of LIPUS remain unclear and the studies are ongoing. In recent years, more and more research has focused on the relationship between LIPUS and stem/progenitor cells. A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Embase databases to July 2020 was performed. LIPUS has many effects on stem cells. Studies show that LIPUS can stimulate stem cells in vitro; promote stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration; maintain stem cell activity; alleviate the problems of insufficient seed cell source, differentiation, and maturation; and circumvent the low efficiency of stem cell transplantation. The mechanisms involved in the effects of LIPUS are not fully understood, but the effects demonstrated in studies thus far have been favorable. Much additional research is needed before LIPUS can progress from basic science research to large-scale clinical dissemination and application.
Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells/radiation effects* ; Ultrasonic Therapy/methods* ; Ultrasonic Waves

Although phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) are a revolution in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and have been marketed since 1998, they cannot restore pathological changes in the penis. Low-energy shock wave therapy (LESWT) has been developed for treating ED, and clinical studies have shown that LESWT has the potential to affect PDE5I non-responders with ED with few adverse effects. Animal studies have shown that LESWT significantly improves penile hemodynamics and restores pathological changes in the penis of diabetic ED animal models. Although the mechanisms remain to be investigated, recent studies have reported that LESWT could partially restore corpus cavernosum fibromuscular pathological changes, endothelial dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. LESWT could be a novel modality for treating ED, and particularly PDE5I non-responders with organic ED, in the near future. However, further extensive evidence-based basic and clinical studies are needed. This review intends to summarize the scientific background underlying the effect of LESWT on ED.
Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Hemodynamics ; Lithotripsy ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Penis ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; Shock*

In regard to erectile function, Yin is flaccidity and Yang erection. In the past decade, research has mostly focused on the Yang aspect of erectile function. However, in recent years, the Yin side is attracting increasingly greater attention. This is due to the realization that penile flaccidity is no less important than penile erection and is actively maintained by mechanisms that play critical roles in certain types of erectile dysfunction (ED); for example, in diabetic patients. In addition, there is evidence that the Yin and Yang signaling pathways interact with each other during the transition from flaccidity to erection, and vice versa. As such, it is important that we view erectile function from not only the Yang but also the Yin side. The purpose of this article is to review recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the Yin and Yang of the penis. Emphasis is given to the Rho kinase signaling pathway that regulates the Yin, and to the cyclic nucleotide signaling pathway that regulates the Yang. Discussion is organized in such a way so as to follow the signaling cascade, that is, beginning with the extracellular signaling molecules (e.g., norepinephrin and nitric oxide) and their receptors, converging onto the intracellular effectors (e.g., Rho kinase and protein kinase G), branching into secondary effectors, and finishing with contractile molecules and phosphodiesterases. Interactions between the Yin and Yang signaling pathways are discussed as well.
Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection

Stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine because of their ability to self-renew and to differentiate into various cell types. Although embryonic stem cells (BSC) have greater differentiation potential than adult stem cells, the former is lagging in reaching clinical applications because of ethical concerns and governmental restrictions. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) are the best-studied adult stem cells (ASC) and have the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and male infertility. More recently discovered adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) are virtually identical to bone marrow stem cells in differentiation and therapeutic potential, but are easier and safer to obtain, can be harvested in larger quantities, and have the associated benefit of reducing obesity. Therefore, ADSC appear to be a better choice for future clinical applications. We have previously shown that ESC could restore the erectile function of neurogenic ED in rats, and we now have evidence that ADSC could do so as well. We are also investigating whether ADSC can differentiate into Leydig, Sertoli and male germ cells. The eventual goal is to use ADSC to treat male infertility and testosterone deficiency.
Adult Stem Cells ; Animals ; Cell Transplantation ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Erectile Dysfunction ; therapy ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Research

Advances in the neurobiology of growth factors, neural development, and prevention of cell death have resulted in a heightened clinical interest for the development of protective and regenerative neuromodulatory strategies for the cavernous nerves (CNs), as therapies for prostate cancer and other pelvic malignancies often result in neuronal damage and debilitating loss of sexual function. Nitric oxide released from the axonal end plates of these nerves within the corpora cavernosa causes relaxation of smooth muscle, initiating the haemodynamic changes of penile erection as well as contributing to maintained tumescence; the loss of CN function is primarily responsible for the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) after pelvic surgery and serves as the primary target for potential neuroprotective or regenerative strategies. Evidence from pre-clinical studies for select neuromodulatory approaches is reviewed, including neurotrophins, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors (GDNF), bone morphogenic proteins, immunophilin ligands, erythropoetin (EPO), and stem cells.
Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; therapy ; Erythropoietin ; therapeutic use ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; therapeutic use ; Growth Differentiation Factor 5 ; Humans ; Immunophilins ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; therapeutic use ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; therapeutic use ; Penis ; innervation ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Postoperative Complications ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate molecular insight into the pathology of Peyronie's disease (PD). A preliminary profile of differential gene expression between the PD plaque and control tunica albuginea was obtained with DNA microarrays. Also, to investigate the effect of intervention in PD cells, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was recruited to treat PD cell lines.

METHODSThree PD plaques and control tunica albugineas were constructed and studied. cDNA probes were prepared from RNA isolated from those cells and hybridized with the Clontech Atlas 3.6 Array. Relative changes of greater than 2.0 defined up-regulation and down-regulation, respectively. The expression of selected individual gene MCP-1 and the effect of TGF-beta1 on MCP-1 were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSSome up-regulated genes in the PD plaque detected by the Clontech assay were screened, one of them was monocyte chemotactic protein. One involved the pathogenesis of PD as a downstream gene and responded to the TGF-beta1 treatment but not CTGF. The results were also confirmed by TR-PCR in all the types of cell.

CONCLUSIONSThe cell lines from plaque tissue and normal tunica from men with PD were successfully established. The findings indicate a potential role for MCP-1 over expression in the pathogenesis of PD as a downstream gene regulated by some genes and could be a new therapeutic target in PD. The information may allow a better understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, it may permit some strategies of therapeutic interventions combine routine methods with Chinese herbal medicine.

Cell Line ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Penile Induration ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Proteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo enhance the knowledge and the effect of the diagnosis and treatment of primary epithelioid sarcoma of the penis.

METHODSOne rare case of primary epithelioid sarcoma of the penis was studied with regard to its primary clinical process and characteristics, differential diagnosis and method of treatment.

RESULTSAn operation was performed on the penis to treat the epithelioid sarcoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistological and pathological techniques. There was no evidence of relapse during the three-year follow-up after operation.

CONCLUSIONThe possibility of primary epithelioid sarcoma of the penis should be considered if a mass or induration of the proximal penis and the symptoms of urethremphraxis are found. Total phallectomy could be chosen as an appropriate method of treatment. Unless adenopathy is palpable, node dissections are not recommended.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Sarcoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To investigate the causes of urinary calculi recurrence following ESWL. Methods After constructing the animal model of urinary calculi,the sheep with stone were treated by ESWL and the treated kidney was checked with morphological studies. Results The renal pelvic membrane was initially damaged heavily,the injure being healed from 2 ～ 4 weeks.At the same time, there were some calculi particles embeded in the renal pelvic membrane. Conclusions The embeded calculi particles and the damage of the pelvic membrane were the main causes of calculi recurrence following ESWL.

ObjectiveTo investigate the differential expression of ATF5--a novel gene fished out by yeast two hybrid from renal carcinoma library.MethodsRT-PCR and Northern blot was used to examine the expression level of ATF5 in renal cell line A498,786-O,GRC-I,293 and HK-2.The area absorbance value of ATF5 RNA was quantitative by computerized-imaging system.ResultsCompared with the controls,the expression level in renal cancer cell line(A498,786-O,GRC-I) and embryonal cell line (293)is much higher than that in the normal cell line HK-2.ConclusionsIt is indicated that ATF5 may play a significant role in the renal carcinogenesis through cross-talk with Wnt signal pathway.