1.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
2.Effect and mechanism of Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, and velamen in improving learning and memory impairments in mice based on transcriptomic and metabolomic.
Zhi-Hao WANG ; Shu-Yi FENG ; Tao LI ; Wan-Ping ZHOU ; Jin-Yu WANG ; Yang LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Yuan-Yuan XIE ; Xiu-Lan HUANG ; Zhi-Yong LI ; Lu-Qi HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3793-3812
Moringa oleifera, widely utilized in Ayurvedic medicine, is recognized for its leaves, seeds, and velamen possessing traditional effects such as vātahara(wind alleviation), sirovirecaka(brain clearing), and hridya(mental nourishment). This study aims to identify the medicinal part of ■ in the Sārasvata ghee formulation as described in the Bower Manuscript, while investigating the ameliorative effects of different medicinal parts of M. oleifera on learning and memory deficits in mice and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. A total of 144 male ICR mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: control, model(scopolamine hydrobromide, Sco, 2 mg·kg~(-1)), donepezil(donepezil hydrochloride, Don, 3 mg·kg~(-1)), M. oleifera leaf low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(0.5, 1, 2 g·kg~(-1)), M. oleifera seeds low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(0.25, 0.5, 1 g·kg~(-1)), and M. oleifera velamen low-, medium-, and high-dose groups(0.31, 0.62, 1.24 g·kg~(-1)). Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze. Nissl and HE staining were employed to examine histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics were used to screen differential genes and metabolites, with MetaboAnalyst 6.0 and O2PLS methods applied to identify key disease-related targets and pathways. RESULTS:: demonstrated that M. oleifera leaf(1 g·kg~(-1)) significantly ameliorated Sco-induced learning and memory deficits, outperforming M. oleifera seeds(0.25 g·kg~(-1)) and M. oleifera velamen(1.24 g·kg~(-1)). This was evidenced by improved behavioral performance, reversal of neuronal damage, and reduced acetylcholinesterase(AChE) activity. Multi-omics analysis revealed that M. oleifera leaf upregulated Tuba1c gene expression through the synaptic vesicle cycle, enhancing glutamate(Glu), dopamine(DA), and acetylcholine(ACh) release via Tuba1c-Glu associations for neuroprotection. M. oleifera seeds targeted the dopaminergic synapse pathway, promoting memory consolidation through Drd2-ACh associations. M. oleifera velamen was associated with the cocaine addiction pathway, modulating dopamine metabolism via Adora2a-DOPAC, with limited relevance to learning and memory. In conclusion, M. oleifera leaf exhibits superior efficacy and mechanistic advantages over M. oleifera seeds and velamen, suggesting that the ■ in the Sārasvata ghee formulation is likely M. oleifera leaf, providing scientific evidence for its identification in ancient texts.
Animals
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Moringa oleifera/chemistry*
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Male
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Mice
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Seeds/chemistry*
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Plant Leaves/chemistry*
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Mice, Inbred ICR
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Memory Disorders/psychology*
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Transcriptome/drug effects*
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Memory/drug effects*
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Learning/drug effects*
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Metabolomics
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Maze Learning/drug effects*
3.Regulatory effects of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid on gut microbiota and mucosal barrier in mice with glucolipid metabolism disorder.
Zhuang HAN ; Lin-Xi JIN ; Zhi-Ta WANG ; Liu-Qing YANG ; Liang LI ; Yi RUAN ; Qi-Wei CHEN ; Shu-Hong YAO ; Xian-Pei HENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4315-4324
The gut microbiota regulates intestinal nutrient absorption, participates in modulating host glucolipid metabolism, and contributes to ameliorating glucolipid metabolism disorder. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can compromise the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, induce inflammatory responses, and exacerbate insulin resistance and abnormal lipid metabolism in the host. Dangua Humai Oral Liquid, a hospital-developed formulation for regulating glucolipid metabolism, has been granted a national invention patent and demonstrates significant clinical efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid on gut microbiota and the intestinal mucosal barrier in a mouse model with glucolipid metabolism disorder. A glucolipid metabolism disorder model was established by feeding mice a high-glucose and high-fat diet. The mice were divided into a normal group, a model group, and a treatment group, with eight mice in each group. The treatment group received a daily gavage of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid(20 g·kg~(-1)), while the normal group and model group were given an equivalent volume of sterile water. After 15 weeks of intervention, glucolipid metabolism, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and inflammatory responses were evaluated. Metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics were employed to analyze changes in gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways. Significant differences were observed between the indicators of the normal group and the model group. Compared with the model group, the treatment group exhibited marked improvements in glucolipid metabolism disorder, alleviated pathological damage in the liver and small intestine tissue, elevated expression of recombinant claudin 1(CLDN1), occluding(OCLN), and zonula occludens 1(ZO-1) in the small intestine tissue, and reduced serum levels of inflammatory factors lipopolysaccharides(LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein(LBP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota decreased, while that of Firmicutes increased. Lipid-related metabolic pathways were significantly altered. In conclusion, based on the successful establishment of the mouse model of glucolipid metabolism disorder, this study confirmed that Dangua Humai Oral Liquid effectively modulates gut microbiota and mucosal barrier function, reduces serum inflammatory factor levels, and regulates lipid-related metabolic pathways, thereby ameliorating glucolipid metabolism disorder.
Animals
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Mice
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Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology*
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Male
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Humans
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Glycolipids/metabolism*
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Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
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Administration, Oral
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Disease Models, Animal
4.Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with NRAS and KRAS Gene Mutations.
Zhang-Yu YU ; Bo CAI ; Yi WANG ; Yang-Yang LEI ; Bing-Xia LI ; Yu-Fang LI ; Yan-Ping SHI ; Jia-Xin CHEN ; Shu-Hong LIU ; Chang-Lin YU ; Mei GUO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):682-690
OBJECTIVE:
To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics, co-mutated genes in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with NRAS and KRAS gene mutations, and the impact of NRAS and KRAS mutations on prognosis.
METHODS:
The clinical data and next-generation sequencing results of 80 newly diagnosed AML patients treated at our hospital from December 2018 to December 2023 were collected. The clinical characteristics, co-mutated genes of NRAS and KRAS , and the impact of NRAS and KRAS mutations on prognosis in newly diagnosed AML patients were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among 80 newly diagnosed AML patients, NRAS mutations were detected in 20 cases(25.0%), and KRAS mutations were detected in 9 cases(11.3%). NRAS mutations predominantly occurred at codons 12 and 13 of exon 2, as well as codon 61 of exon 3, while KRAS mutations were most commonly occurred at codons 12 and 13 of exon 2, all of which were missense mutations. There were no statistically significant differences observed in terms of age, sex, white blood cell count(WBC), hemoglobin(Hb), platelet count(PLT), bone marrow blasts, first induction chemotherapy regimen, CR1/CRi1 rates, chromosome karyotype, 2022 ELN risk classification and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) among the NRAS mutation group, KRAS mutation group and NRAS/KRAS wild-type group (P >0.05). KRAS mutations were significantly correlated with PTPN11 mutations (r =0.344), whereas no genes significantly associated with NRAS mutations were found. Survival analysis showed that compared to the NRAS/KRAS wild-type group, patients with NRAS mutation had a relatively higher 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate, though the differences were not statistically significant (P =0.097, P =0.249). Compared to the NRAS/KRAS wild-type group, patients with KRAS mutation had a lower 5-year OS rate and RFS rate, with no significant differences observed (P =0.275, P =0.442). There was no significant difference in the 5-year RFS rate between the KRAS mutation group and NRAS mutation group (P =0.157), but the 5-year OS rate of patients with KRAS mutation was significantly lower than that of patients with NRAS mutation (P =0.037).
CONCLUSION
In newly diagnosed AML patients, KRAS mutation was significantly correlated with PTPN11 mutation. Compared to patients with NRAS/KRAS wild-type, those with NRAS mutation showed a more favorable prognosis, while patients with KRAS mutation showed a poorer prognosis; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Notably, the prognosis of AML patients with KRAS mutation was significantly inferior compared to those with NRAS mutation.
Humans
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis*
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Mutation
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Prognosis
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
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GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics*
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Retrospective Studies
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Membrane Proteins/genetics*
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Female
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Aged
5.Human Cytomegalovirus Infection and Embryonic Malformations: The Role of the Wnt Signaling Pathway and Management Strategies.
Xiao Mei HAN ; Bao Yi ZHENG ; Zhi Cui LIU ; Jun Bing CHEN ; Shu Ting HUANG ; Lin XIAO ; Dong Feng WANG ; Zhi Jun LIU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1142-1149
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy. As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low- and middle-income countries, HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells, leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain. This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.
Humans
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Cytomegalovirus Infections/virology*
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Wnt Signaling Pathway
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Pregnancy
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Female
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Cytomegalovirus/physiology*
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Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology*
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Congenital Abnormalities/virology*
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Animals
6.Risk analysis and control suggestions for suicidal abuse of over-the-counter drug difenidol tablets
Li ZUO ; Wen-Yu WU ; Hai-Qiang WU ; Yi-Hong LIN ; Shu-Kun LAI ; Bin WU ; Qian WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(8):1213-1216
Objective To analyze the literature related to diphenidol tablets poisoning,the characteristics of poisoning were summarized to provide reference for controlling the suicidal abuse risk of diphenidol tablets.Methods The global literature on suicide,overdose,poisoning,shock,and death related to difenidol published from January 1,2011 to December 31,2022 was analyzed,including gender,age,dosage,cardiac(blood)concentration,poisoning symptoms,etc.Results Young women were the majority of people with poisoning.The highest proportion of the age group is 11 to 30 years group.Patients who take medication doses greater than 3 000 mg may have a higher risk of death;patients with a heart(blood)concentration greater than 6 μg·mL-1 may have a higher risk of death.Malignant arrhythmia,consciousness disorders,coma,and apnea are common serious adverse events during poisoning.Conclusion It is recommended that the drug regulatory authorities should require the Listing permit holder of difenidol tablets to add the risk and symptoms of poisoning into the instructions.It is suggested that restricting individual consumers from purchasing large amounts of difenidol tablets in the short term.It is recommended that canceling the high-dose sales packaging of difenidol tablets.It is suggested that converting difenidol tablets into prescription drugs,even consider canceling the registration certificate of difenidol tablets.
7.Effect of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment on ovarian reserve capacity in adenomyosis
Yi-Lin QIAN ; Hui-Xian CHEN ; Qing-Yue CHEN ; Dong-Qin HE ; Shu-Jing CHEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(1):67-70
Objective To explore the impact of high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)treatment on ovarian reserve capacity in adenomyosis.Methods Clinical data of 106 adenomyosis patients who underwent HIFU treatment from May 2019 to December 2020 at some hospital were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were treated with HIFU,and color Doppler ultrasonography was performed before and after 6 months of treatment,respectively.The resistance index,pulsatility index,vascularization index,blood flow index,vascularization blood flow index and sinus follicle number were obtained,and serum anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone(luteinizing hormone)were measured.The correlation between serum AMH levels and FSH and LH levels was analyzed.SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results After 6 months of treatment serum FSH,LH,value of FSH/LH,resistance index and pulsatility index significantly decreased while vascularization index,blood flow index,vascularization blood flow index,number of sinus follicles,and serum AMH level obviously increased when compared with those before treatment,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Serum AMH levels were negatively correlated with FSH and LH levels(r=-0.448,-0.527,P<0.05)after 6 months of treatment.Conclusion HIFU treatment reduces sex hormone levels,elevates serum AMH levels and sinus follicle number,and may improve ovarian reserve capacity in patients with adenomyosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):67-70]
8.Overview of Research on Qushi Tongmai Method in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Application
Chang-Song LIN ; Jing-Yi ZHAN ; Shu-Lin CHEN ; Yi-Fang ZHANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(10):2625-2630
The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis patients exerts the features of wind-damp and stasis obstruction,sinew injury and bone damage,therefore,the therapy of dispelling wind and removing dampness,dredging blood vessels,unblocking meridians and collaterals,invigorating spleen and kidney,and strengthening muscles and bones was proposed,hereinafter referred to as Qushi Tongmai method.Under the guidance of Qushi Tongmai method,rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with Chinese medicine based on the modification of empirical formulas such as Kunduan Yimu Formula,Nanxu Yimu Granules and Santeng Shujin Formula,and classical formulas such as Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction,Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction and Banxia Xiexin Decoction according to the deficiency and excess of healthy qi and pathogenic qi as well as the specific symptoms.Moreover,the soft exact,external treatment and functional exercise can be also included.The Chinese medicine therapy combined with the soft exact,external treatment and functional exercise constitutes a unique Chinese medicine system for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.The results of a series of clinical and experimental studies indicated that Qushi Tongmai method exerts efficiency-enhancing and toxin-reducing effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,and the establishment of Qushi Tongmai method is a theoretical innovation in exerting the advantages of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
9.Influence of Menthol Infusion on Esophageal Peristalsis in Patients With Ineffective Esophageal Motility
Jui-Sheng HUNG ; Wei-Yi LEI ; Chih-Hsun YI ; Tso-Tsai LIU ; Ming-Wun WONG ; Shu-Wei LIANG ; Chien-Lin CHEN
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2024;30(4):447-452
Background/Aims:
Activation of the cold receptor, transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) by menthol inhibits esophageal secondary peristalsis in healthy adults. Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is common. This study is to evaluate the effects of acute infusion of menthol on esophageal peristalsis in patients with IEM.
Methods:
Twenty patients with IEM (males 11, mean age 36) were studied for esophageal peristalsis using high-resolution manometry. All participant had primary peristalsis performed with 10 water swallows and secondary peristalsis generated with 10 rapid air injections of 20 mL via mid-esophageal infusion port. Two different sessions by randomly performing acute administration of placebo or menthol (3 mM) were used for testing their effects on esophageal peristalsis.
Results:
Menthol infusion had no effects on distal contractile integral (P = 0.471), distal latency (P = 0.58), or complete peristalsis (P = 0.251). Menthol infusion did not change basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (P = 0.321), esophagogastric junction contractile integral (P = 0.758), or integrated relaxation pressure (P = 0.375) of primary peristalsis, but reduced upper esophageal sphincter pressure (P = 0.037). Infusion of menthol significantly reduced the frequency of secondary peristalsis for air injects of 20 mL (P = 0.002), but did not affect distal contractile integral of secondary peristalsis for air injections of 20 mL.
Conclusion
This work has suggested that activation of TRPM8 by menthol can attenuate mechanosensitivity of secondary peristalsis in response to rapid air distension regardless of the presence of IEM.
10.The value of BISAP score,MLR,and NAR in the assessment and prognosis of acute pancreatitis condition
Yu-Lin SHU ; Yi-Mei WANG ; Xiao-Hong CHEN ; Chang-Ping LI
Modern Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment in Gastroenterology 2024;29(2):146-150
Objective To investigate the value of acute pancreatitis severity bedside index(BISAP)score,monocyte to lymphocyte ratio(MLR),and neutrophil to albumin ratio(NAR)in the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis(AP).Methods The clinical data of 208 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected and divided into mild(MAP,n=131 cases)and severe(SAP,n=77 cases)groups according to the severity of the disease.Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between BISAP score,MLR,NAR and severity of disease and hospitalization days,and subject operating curve(ROC curve)analyzes the clinical significance of the above indicators in the prognosis of AP patients.Results The number of hospitalization days,BISAP score,MLR,NAR,WBC,PCT,FPG,TC,and Ca+were greater in the SAP group than in the MAP group,differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);while the differences in Comorbidities,etiology,history of smoking,history of alcohol consumption,TC、TG、Ceea、GFR were not statistically significant(P>0.05).By correlation analysis,the BISAP score,MLR and NAR were positively correlated with the severity of the disease(r=0.474、0.542、0.519)and the number of hospitalization days(r=0.401、0.370、0.396),differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Binary Loginstic regression showed that BISAP score,MLR,NAR,and FPG were all risk factors affecting patient prognosis.ROC curve analysis of BISAP score,MLR,and NAR were predictive of poor prognosis in AP patients(AUC=0.766、0.825、0.808),the combined predictive effect of the three was greater than that of a single index(AUC=0.863).Conclusion The number of hospitalization days,BISAP score,MLR,NAR,WBC,PCT,FPG,TC,and Ca+were greater in the SAP group than in the MAP group,differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);while the differences in Comorbidities,etiology,history of smoking,history of alcohol consumption,TC、TG、Ceea、GFR were not statistically significant(P>0.05).By correlation analysis,the BISAP score,MLR and NAR were positively correlated with the severity of the disease(r=0.474、0.542、0.519)and the number of hospitalization days(r=0.401、0.370、0.396),differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Binary Loginstic regression showed that BISAP score,MLR,NAR,and FPG were all risk factors affecting patient prognosis.ROC curve analysis of BISAP score,MLR,and NAR were predictive of poor prognosis in AP patients(AUC=0.766、0.825、0.808),the combined predictive effect of the three was greater than that of a single index(AUC=0.863).

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