1.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Cyperi Rhizoma in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Ying ZHENG ; Sicong LIU ; Xi LUO ; Bing QI ; Shuai WANG ; Yongrui BAO ; Tianjiao LI ; Liang WANG ; Dong YAO ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):153-160
ObjectiveTo elucidate the pharmacodynamic substances responsible for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Cyperi Rhizoma by structure-activity omics. MethodOn the basis of the previous in vitro efficacy study by our research group, this study explored the in vivo efficacy of the flavonoids in Cyperi Rhizoma. The flavonoids in Cyperi Rhizoma and their targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), PharmMapper, Swiss TargetPrediction, and available articles. The targets of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were collected from DisGeNET and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The common targets shared by flavonoids and the effects were selected as the direct targets of flavonoids endowing Cyperi Rhizoma with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the core targets was constructed. The method of structure-activity omics was employed to correlate the structure and efficacy of one or more classes of chemical components in Cyperi Rhizoma with the targets as a bridge. The components were classified according to structure. Molecular docking of components to core targets was carried out via SYBYL-X 2.1.1, PyMol, and Discovery Studio 4.5 visualizer. Two targets with the highest binding affinity were selected to explore the relationship between compound structures and targets. ResultThe flavonoids in Cyperi Rhizoma exerted anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the mouse model of pain induced by formaldehyde. Eighteen components and 115 direct targets were screened out, and the core targets with high activities were protein kinase B1 (Akt1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). According to the structures, the flavonoids in Cyperi Rhizoma were classified into bioflavonoids, flavonols, flavones, and flavanes. The molecular docking results showed that flavonoids of Cyperi Rhizoma had the highest binding affinity to TP53 and PTGS2. The results of structure-activity omics showed that bioflavonoids represented the best binding structure to the targets, while their polyhydroxyl etherification resulted in a significant decrease in the binding affinity to PTGS2. Glycosides had higher binding affinity to PTGS2. The introduction of the long-chain hydrocarbon group to the A ring of flavonols facilitated the binding to TP53, while the change of B ring substituents was not the main factor affecting the binding affinity. The 3,4-dihydroxyl flavane outperformed 3-hydroxyl flavane in the binding to TP53, while the two compounds showed similar binding affinity to PTGS2. ConclusionThe method of structure-activity omics was used to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of flavonoids in Cyperi Rhizoma. Structure-activity omics provides new ideas for revealing the pharmacodynamic substances of traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Bupleuri Radix in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Xi LUO ; Bing QI ; Ying MENG ; Xinpeng QIN ; Yongrui BAO ; Tianjiao LI ; Liang WANG ; Shuai WANG ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):146-153
ObjectiveTo identify the pharmacodynamic substances for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Bupleuri Radix by structure-activity omics. MethodA mouse model of pain was established with formaldehyde to examine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of saikosaponins in vivo. The core targets of the active components in Bupleurum Radix for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes (STRING). The key core targets with high binding affinity were screened based on the comprehensive score in the molecular docking between different types of saikosaponins and core targets. The structure-activity relationship was discussed and analyzed based on the binding of compounds to pharmacodynamic targets. ResultSaikosaponins alleviated the foot swelling induced by formaldehyde and reduced the content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the mouse model, showcasing a significant inhibitory effect on the inflammatory pain caused by PGE2. Nine components and 39 targets of saikosaponins, as well as 3 074 targets of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were screened out, and 22 common targets shared by saikosaponins and the effects were obtained as the direct targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed that the main active components of Bupleurum Radix were saikosaponins a, b1, b2, b3, c, d, e, f, and v, and the key targets were fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Molecular docking between saikosaponins and the top 5 targets with high degrees in PPI network analysis revealed 25 highly active docks, including 6 docks with scores of 5-6 and 18 docks with scores above 6. ConclusionThis study adopted structural-activity omics to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Bupleuri Radix in vivo, providing new ideas and methods for identifying the pharmacodynamic substances in traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Noninvasive Diagnostic Technique for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Features of Tongue Images.
Rong-Rui WANG ; Jia-Liang CHEN ; Shao-Jie DUAN ; Ying-Xi LU ; Ping CHEN ; Yuan-Chen ZHOU ; Shu-Kun YAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):203-212
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate a new noninvasive diagnostic model for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on features of tongue images.
METHODS:
Healthy controls and volunteers confirmed to have NAFLD by liver ultrasound were recruited from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 2018 and May 2019, then the anthropometric indexes and sampled tongue images were measured. The tongue images were labeled by features, based on a brief protocol, without knowing any other clinical data, after a series of corrections and data cleaning. The algorithm was trained on images using labels and several anthropometric indexes for inputs, utilizing machine learning technology. Finally, a logistic regression algorithm and a decision tree model were constructed as 2 diagnostic models for NAFLD.
RESULTS:
A total of 720 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 432 patients with NAFLD and 288 healthy volunteers. Of them, 482 were randomly allocated into the training set and 238 into the validation set. The diagnostic model based on logistic regression exhibited excellent performance: in validation set, it achieved an accuracy of 86.98%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 80.61%; with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.98]. The decision tree model achieved an accuracy of 81.09%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 66.33%; with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.66-0.92) in validation set.
CONCLUSIONS
The features of tongue images were associated with NAFLD. Both the 2 diagnostic models, which would be convenient, noninvasive, lightweight, rapid, and inexpensive technical references for early screening, can accurately distinguish NAFLD and are worth further study.
Humans
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnostic imaging*
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Ultrasonography
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Anthropometry
;
Algorithms
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China
4.Effect of paeoniflorin on aerobic glycolysis of macrophages induced by resiquimod
Ying-Ying JIN ; Le SHI ; Yong-Xi HAO ; Fan TANG ; Wen-Hui JIANG ; Tao LIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):683-687
Objective To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin on aerobic glycolysis of macrophages induced by resiquimod.Methods THP-1 cells were treated with phorbol ester(PM A)to differentiate into macrophages.The cells were divided into control group,model group and low,medium,high dose experimental group.The cells in the control group were cultured normally;in the model group,2 μg·mL-1 resiquimod was used to stimulate macrophages for 24 h to induce aerobic glycolysis.The low,medium and high dose experimental groups were treated with 1,10 and 100 μmol·L-1 paeoniflorin for 24 h on the basis of the model group.Cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method.Lactate and glucose determination kit were used to detect lactate secretion and glucose consumption of cells in each group.The protein and mRNA expression levels of(PKM2)and(LDHA)were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polynucleotide chain reaction(q-PCR)respectively.Immunofluorescence method was used to compare the fluorescence intensity of PKM2 in each group.Results After 24 h stimulation of THP-1 cells with 2 μg·mL-1 resiquimod,the glucose contents in cell culture supernatants of control group,model group and low,medium and high dose experimental groups were(14.70±0.44),(9.83±0.43),(10.68±0.29),(11.79±0.33)and(13.63±0.74)mmol·L-1;the lactate secreted by cells were(6.17±0.48),(11.94±0.55),(9.08±0.55),(7.79±0.66)and(6.50±0.55)mmol·L-1;the protein expression levels of PKM2 in cells were 1.00±0.00,1.33±0.18,1.02±0.17,0.74±0.17 and 0.73±0.18;the protein expression levels of LDHA were 1.00±0.00,1.20±0.09,0.90±0.14,0.76±0.12 and 0.78±0.17;the PKM2 mRNA levels were 1.00±0.09,2.11±0.23,1.98±0.31,1.38±0.25 and 0.93±0.32;the LDHA mRNA levels were 1.00±0.13,1.85±0.25,1.44±0.21,0.91±0.24 and 0.96±0.14;the average fluorescence intensities of PKM2 were 136.41±33.63,217.94±5.33,210.27±1.03,204.14±3.27 and 186.79±14.03.Compared with control group,the above indicators in model group showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05,P<0.01);compared with model group,the differences in the above indicators in medium and high dose experimental group were all statistically significant(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Paeoniflorin can inhibit the aerobic glycolysis of macrophages induced by resiquimod.
5.Bioequivalence study of compound lidocaine cream in healthy Chinese subjects
Meng-Qi CHANG ; Yu-Qi SUN ; Qiu-Jin XU ; Xi-Xi QIAN ; Ying-Chun ZHAO ; Yan CAO ; Liu WANG ; Cheng ZHANG ; Dong-Liang YU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1321-1326
Objective To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the test formulation of compound lidocaine cream and reference formulation of lidocaine and prilocaine cream in Chinese healthy subjects and to evaluate whether there is bioequivalence between the two formulations.Methods A single-center,single-dose,randomized,open-label,two-period,two-sequence,crossover design was used.This study included 40 healthy subjects,and in each period,test formulation or reference formulation 60 g was applied to the skin in front of both thighs(200 cm2 each side,a total of 400 cm2)under fasting conditions,and the drug was left on for at least 5 h after application.The concentrations of lidocaine and prilocaine in plasma were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using WinNonlin 8.0 software to evaluate the bioequivalence of the two formulations.Results After the application of the test formulation compound lidocaine cream and the reference formulation lidocaine and prilocaine cream on both thighs of the subjects,the pharmacokinetic parameters of lidocaine in plasma were as follows:Cmax were(167.27±91.33)and(156.13±66.86)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(1 651.78±685.09)and(1 636.69±617.23)ng·mL-1·h,AUC0-∞ were(1 669.85±684.65)and(1 654.37±618.30)ng·mL-1·h,the adjusted geometric mean ratios were 104.49%,101.88%and 101.89%,respectively,with 90%confidence intervals of 98.18%-111.20%,97.80%-106.13%and 97.87%-106.07%,all within the range of 80.00%-125.00%.The pharmacokinetic parameters of prilocaine in plasma were as follows:Cmax were(95.66±48.84)and(87.52±39.16)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(790.86±263.99)and(774.14±256.42)ng·mL-1·h,AUC0_m were(807.27±264.67)and(792.84±254.06)ng·mL-1 h,the adjusted geometric mean ratios were 107.34%,103.55%and 102.98%,respectively with 90%confidence intervals of 101.69%-113.31%,99.94%-107.30%and 99.65%-106.43%,all within the range of 80.00%-125.00%.Conclusion The test formulation compound lidocaine cream and the reference formulation lidocaine and prilocaine cream are bioequivalent.
6.Selection of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with stage IB lung adenocarcinoma:analysis of 653 cases
Leilei SHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Tianyang YUN ; Juntang GUO ; Xi LIU ; Tao ZHANG ; Chaoyang LIANG ; Yang LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(5):989-997
Objective To explore the optimal postoperative adjuvant regimens for patients with stage IB lung adenocarcinoma.Methods We respectively analyzed the data of 653 patients undergoing surgery for stage IB lung adenocarcinoma in our hospital from January,2013 to December,2021.The 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)rates were compared among the patients receiving postoperative adjuvant therapy with epidermal growth factor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs group,n=111),chemotherapy(CT group,n=108)and clinical observation(CO group,n=434).Results In TKIs,CT,and CO groups,the 5-year DFS rates were 92.8%,80.7%,and 81.7%,respectively,significantly higher in TKIs group than in CO group(P<0.01).The 3-year OS rates of the 3 groups were 96.8%,97.1%,and 91.7%,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed that in TKIs,CT,and CO groups,the 5-year DFS rates of patients with with T3-4 cmN0M0 were 92.6%,84.0%,and 81.4%,respectively,significantly higher in TKIs group than in CO group(P<0.05);the 5-year DFS rates of T2ViscPlN0M0 patients were 95.1%,71.4%,and 83.5%,respectively.Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that age(P<0.05;HR=0.631,95%CI:0.401-0.993),solid nodules(P<0.01;HR=7.620,95%CI:3.037-19.121),micropapillary or solid component(P<0.05;HR=1.776,95%CI:1.010-3.122),lymphovascular invasion(P<0.05;HR=2.981,95%CI:1.198-7.419),and adjuvant therapy(P<0.01)were independent predictors of DFS.The most common adverse effects included rashes,paronychia,and diarrhea for TKIs and hematological suppression and gastrointestinal reactions for chemotherapy,and TKIs were associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 or above adverse effects(44.4%vs 9.0%).Conclusion Adjuvant therapy with TKIs helps improve DFS in patients with stage IB(T3-4cmN0M0)lung adenocarcinoma but not in patients with T2ViscPlN0M0.Adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve DFS or OS in patients with stage IB lung adenocarcinoma.
7.Sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex and autologous bone grafting for the treatment of hemifacial microsomia
Lai GUI ; Feng NIU ; Bing YU ; Jianfeng LIU ; Ying CHEN ; Xi FU ; Shixing XU ; Jia QIAO ; Qi JIN ; Yu HE ; Xuebing LIANG ; Lei CUI ; Fuhuan CHEN ; Qi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(3):249-257
Objective:To investigate a new method for the reconstruction of hemifacial microsomia by sagittal osteotomy of the affected mandibular outer cortex combined with bone graft of mandibular outer cortex from healthy side.Methods:From March 2006 to March 2023, the clinical data of patients with hemifacial microsomia admitted to the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis and surgical design were performed based on clinical manifestations and imaging findings. All cases were operated under general anesthesia. The affected mandibular outer cortex was previously split by an intraoral approach, and then the mandibular outer cortex of appropriate shape and size on the healthy side was harvested and grafted into the split bone space according to the preoperative design, following by internal rigid fixation. Complications, facial appearance improvement, and patient satisfaction were followed up. Photographs were taken preoperative, immediately postoperative and at the long-term(last) postoperative follow-up, and the severity of the deformity was analyzed. CT data from preoperative, immediate postoperative, and long-term follow-up visits were imported into Surgicase Proplan medical three-dimensional image workstation in Dicom format. The mandible was reconstructed using Segmentation, and the thickness of the mandible was measured during pre-operative, immediate post-operative and long-term follow-up visits. Anova with repeated measurement design was used to compare measurements and LSD test was used for multiple comparisons. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used to statistically analyze malformation severity. P< 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 39 patients were included in this study, including 13 females and 26 males, with an average age of (22.21±4.57) years (15-27 years). All patients were followed up for an average of (45.56±39.41) months (6-153 months) after surgery. The grafted mandibular outer cortex grows well with the adjacent bone tissue, and the mandibular angle and mandibular body are significantly wider. Of the 39 cases, 1 developed an infection 1 year after surgery, the titanium plate was exposed, and the patient healed after debridement and removal of the immobilizing splint. The facial appearance of the other patients improved significantly. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and long term follow up of mandibular thickness measurements were compared in pairs, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The patient’s appearance satisfaction score: the preoperative score was [2.0(1.5, 2.0)] points, the immediate postoperative score was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points, the score of the last postoperative follow up was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points. There was statistical difference in satisfaction among the three groups ( P<0.01). The preoperative scores were compared with the scores of the immediate postoperative and the last postoperative follow-up respectively, and the differences were statistically significant( P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in satisfaction between the immediate postoperative score and the score of the last postoperative follow up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex is consistent with the features of mandibular anatomy, and provides a good condition for the grafting and healing of autogenous bone. Removing the outer cortex of the mandible on the healthy side not only increases the thickness of the affected side, but also decreases the width of the angle of the mandible on the healthy side, so as to effectively correct the asymmetric deformity of the mandible. The method is simple, with few complications and good results, and is one of the ideal treatments to correct hemofacial microsomia.
8.Sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex and autologous bone grafting for the treatment of hemifacial microsomia
Lai GUI ; Feng NIU ; Bing YU ; Jianfeng LIU ; Ying CHEN ; Xi FU ; Shixing XU ; Jia QIAO ; Qi JIN ; Yu HE ; Xuebing LIANG ; Lei CUI ; Fuhuan CHEN ; Qi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(3):249-257
Objective:To investigate a new method for the reconstruction of hemifacial microsomia by sagittal osteotomy of the affected mandibular outer cortex combined with bone graft of mandibular outer cortex from healthy side.Methods:From March 2006 to March 2023, the clinical data of patients with hemifacial microsomia admitted to the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis and surgical design were performed based on clinical manifestations and imaging findings. All cases were operated under general anesthesia. The affected mandibular outer cortex was previously split by an intraoral approach, and then the mandibular outer cortex of appropriate shape and size on the healthy side was harvested and grafted into the split bone space according to the preoperative design, following by internal rigid fixation. Complications, facial appearance improvement, and patient satisfaction were followed up. Photographs were taken preoperative, immediately postoperative and at the long-term(last) postoperative follow-up, and the severity of the deformity was analyzed. CT data from preoperative, immediate postoperative, and long-term follow-up visits were imported into Surgicase Proplan medical three-dimensional image workstation in Dicom format. The mandible was reconstructed using Segmentation, and the thickness of the mandible was measured during pre-operative, immediate post-operative and long-term follow-up visits. Anova with repeated measurement design was used to compare measurements and LSD test was used for multiple comparisons. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used to statistically analyze malformation severity. P< 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 39 patients were included in this study, including 13 females and 26 males, with an average age of (22.21±4.57) years (15-27 years). All patients were followed up for an average of (45.56±39.41) months (6-153 months) after surgery. The grafted mandibular outer cortex grows well with the adjacent bone tissue, and the mandibular angle and mandibular body are significantly wider. Of the 39 cases, 1 developed an infection 1 year after surgery, the titanium plate was exposed, and the patient healed after debridement and removal of the immobilizing splint. The facial appearance of the other patients improved significantly. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and long term follow up of mandibular thickness measurements were compared in pairs, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The patient’s appearance satisfaction score: the preoperative score was [2.0(1.5, 2.0)] points, the immediate postoperative score was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points, the score of the last postoperative follow up was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points. There was statistical difference in satisfaction among the three groups ( P<0.01). The preoperative scores were compared with the scores of the immediate postoperative and the last postoperative follow-up respectively, and the differences were statistically significant( P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in satisfaction between the immediate postoperative score and the score of the last postoperative follow up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex is consistent with the features of mandibular anatomy, and provides a good condition for the grafting and healing of autogenous bone. Removing the outer cortex of the mandible on the healthy side not only increases the thickness of the affected side, but also decreases the width of the angle of the mandible on the healthy side, so as to effectively correct the asymmetric deformity of the mandible. The method is simple, with few complications and good results, and is one of the ideal treatments to correct hemofacial microsomia.
9.Selection of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with stage IB lung adenocarcinoma:analysis of 653 cases
Leilei SHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Tianyang YUN ; Juntang GUO ; Xi LIU ; Tao ZHANG ; Chaoyang LIANG ; Yang LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(5):989-997
Objective To explore the optimal postoperative adjuvant regimens for patients with stage IB lung adenocarcinoma.Methods We respectively analyzed the data of 653 patients undergoing surgery for stage IB lung adenocarcinoma in our hospital from January,2013 to December,2021.The 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)rates were compared among the patients receiving postoperative adjuvant therapy with epidermal growth factor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs group,n=111),chemotherapy(CT group,n=108)and clinical observation(CO group,n=434).Results In TKIs,CT,and CO groups,the 5-year DFS rates were 92.8%,80.7%,and 81.7%,respectively,significantly higher in TKIs group than in CO group(P<0.01).The 3-year OS rates of the 3 groups were 96.8%,97.1%,and 91.7%,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed that in TKIs,CT,and CO groups,the 5-year DFS rates of patients with with T3-4 cmN0M0 were 92.6%,84.0%,and 81.4%,respectively,significantly higher in TKIs group than in CO group(P<0.05);the 5-year DFS rates of T2ViscPlN0M0 patients were 95.1%,71.4%,and 83.5%,respectively.Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that age(P<0.05;HR=0.631,95%CI:0.401-0.993),solid nodules(P<0.01;HR=7.620,95%CI:3.037-19.121),micropapillary or solid component(P<0.05;HR=1.776,95%CI:1.010-3.122),lymphovascular invasion(P<0.05;HR=2.981,95%CI:1.198-7.419),and adjuvant therapy(P<0.01)were independent predictors of DFS.The most common adverse effects included rashes,paronychia,and diarrhea for TKIs and hematological suppression and gastrointestinal reactions for chemotherapy,and TKIs were associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 or above adverse effects(44.4%vs 9.0%).Conclusion Adjuvant therapy with TKIs helps improve DFS in patients with stage IB(T3-4cmN0M0)lung adenocarcinoma but not in patients with T2ViscPlN0M0.Adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve DFS or OS in patients with stage IB lung adenocarcinoma.
10.Therapeutic effect and mechanism of piracetam for the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats through MAPK path-way
Bo DONG ; Yue LI ; Ying-Chun LI ; Tong WANG ; Zhuang LIANG ; Xi-Jing HE
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(6):591-598
Objective To explore mechanism of piracetam for the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats through mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathway.Methods Fifty-four healthy 6-week-old SD female rats with body weight of 80 to 100 g were divided into sham operation group,spinal cord injury group and piracetam group by random number table method,with 18 rats in each group.Spinal cord injury model was established in spinal cord injury group and piracetam group using percussion apparatus,while sham operation group did not damage spinal cord.Piracetam group was injected with pirac-etam injection through tail vein according to 5 ml·kg-1 standard,once a day for 3 days;the other two groups were injected with normal saline at the same dose,the same frequency and the same duration.The rats were sacrificed at 1,3,and 7 days after surgery,and changes of Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan(BBB)locomotor rating scale was observed and compared.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect spinal cord inflammatory factors,such as interleukin-6(IL-6),in-terleukin-10(IL-10),interleukin-1β(interleukin-1β),necrosis factor-α(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α);HE staining was used to observe morphological changes of rats with spinal cord injury,and immunohistochemistry was used to observe expression level of aquaporin 4(AQP4).The activation of MAPK signaling pathway in spinal cord of rats after spinal cord injury was observed by western blotting(WB).Results BBB scores of sham operation group on 1,3 and 7 day were 21 points.In spinal cord injury group,the scores were(1±1),(4±1)and(7±2);piracetam group was(1±1),(5±1),(9±2),re-spectively;the difference between spinal cord injury group and sham operation group was statistically significant(P<0.05).HE staining showed that no abnormality was found in sham operation group.In spinal cord injury group,bleeding and degeneration of spinal cord tissue appeared at 1 day after operation;flaky necrotic areas were appeared in spinal cord at 3 days after surgery,and spinal cord tissue began to slowly repair at 7 days after surgery.In piracetam group,the bleeding area was less than that of spinal cord injury group at 1 day after surgery;at 3 days after operation,the necrotic area was reduced and the range of nuclear disappearance was reduced;and the spinal cord began to recover slowly at 7 days after surgery.AQP4 staining of spinal cord of rats in sham operation group was weak at 1,3 and 7 days after modeling,AQP4 staining was deepened and area increased in spinal cord injury group,AQP4 staining of piracetam group was lighter than that of spinal cord injury group,and the positive cells were slightly increased and the staining was slightly darker than that of sham operation group.At 1,3 and 7 days,the level of IL-6,IL-10,IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord injury group were higher than those in sham operation group and piracetam group(P<0.05).Compared with spinal cord injury group,the area of spinal cord bleeding and necrosis were de-creased by HE staining in piracetam group,and AQP4 staining was decreased by immunohistochemistry.WB results showed that P-ERK,P-JNK and P-P38 levels in spinal cord injury group at 3 days were higher than those in sham operation group and piracetam group(P<0.05).Conclusion Piracetam not only showed significant effect in promoting motor function recovery after spinal cord injury,but also showed positive therapeutic potential in reducing lesion area,regulating AQP4 expression to reduce edema,and reducing inflammatory response by regulating MAPK signaling pathway.

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