Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and joint destruction. This study investigates the inhibitory effects and metabolic mechanisms of Eucalrobusone C (EC), a novel formyl-phloroglucinol meroterpenoid derivative isolated from Eucalyptus robusta, on Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α)-induced rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs). EC was extracted and purified, with purity confirmed using 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrum (NMR) at 400 MHz. RA-FLSs were exposed to varying concentrations of EC, followed by comprehensive assessment including CCK8 assay for cell proliferation, flow cytometry for cell death, and Transwell assay for migration and invasion capacity. Metabolomic profiling employed Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF MS), integrated with multivariate statistical analysis and bioinformatics tools to identify metabolic alterations. Results indicated that EC suppressed RA-FLS proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, significantly enhanced apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration and invasion. Metabolomics analysis detected 898 metabolites, with 112 upregulated and 67 downregulated in EC-treated groups compared to TNF-α-induced controls. Key differentially expressed metabolites were enriched in pathways including ABC transporters, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, protein digestion and absorption, and cAMP signalling. These findings suggest that EC exerts anti-rheumatic effects by modulating these metabolic pathways, offering potential as a therapeutic agent for RA management.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers neuroinflammation that contributes to secondary tissue damage. We aimed to identify inflammation-associated candidate genes and characterize their cellular distribution and relationship with inflammatory signaling. We integrated mouse bulk microarray datasets with co-expression and machine-learning analyses. A rat day-7 RNA-sequencing cohort (GSE115067) provided independent external evaluation, and a rat 1-week microarray cohort (GSE45006) provided cross-platform replication. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing, cell-fraction estimation, and enrichment analyses characterized CD53. Rat SCI tissue and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated HAPI microglial cells were examined by qRT-PCR, histology, immunostaining, and western blotting. CD53 was elevated across datasets. In GSE115067, Cd53 increased after SCI (log2 fold change = 3.47; false-discovery rate = 2.15 × 10 − 7), with an exploratory AUC of 1.00 in 15 animals; complete separation was interpreted cautiously. GSE45006 reproduced the increase at 1 week (log2 fold change = 3.09; false-discovery rate = 0.00685). Single-nucleus data localized Cd53 mainly to microglia/hematopoietic cells. Cell-fraction estimates and enrichment analyses associated SCI with inflammatory and NF-κB-related pathways. CD53 and inflammatory markers increased in rat SCI tissue at day 7. In HAPI cells, MRC OX-44 exposure accompanied increased cytokines and NF-κB activity, which BAY 11-7082 partially attenuated. Overall, CD53 is a microglia-enriched marker of subacute inflammation after experimental SCI. Independent and cross-platform rat cohorts reproduced the direction of change, but small sample sizes preclude diagnostic claims. NF-κB-related signaling tracked with CD53 without showing that CD53 drives it. Larger cohorts and CD53 loss-of-function studies are needed.

Background Acute lumbar sprain (ALS) is a common cause of acute low back pain. Wrist–ankle acupuncture (WAA) and related regimens are widely used in China for pain relief, but their comparative efficacy remains controversial. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of WAA and related therapeutic regimens for ALS using network meta-analysis (NMA) and conventional meta-analysis (CMA). Methods Major English and Chinese databases were searched from inception to August 30, 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with ALS treated by WAA-based regimens. An NMA and CMA were conducted. Outcomes included clinical efficacy, pain intensity score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar range of motion, inflammatory markers, and occurrence of adverse events. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 14 trials involving 1384 participants were included, with subjects assigned to a WAA-based treatment group (TG) or to a control group (CG) receiving other interventions. Both NMA and CMA showed that WAA and its related regimens alleviated the symptoms and signs of ALS to varying degrees, with a low incidence of adverse events and additional reduction in circulating inflammatory markers. Based on cumulative ranking probabilities, WAA combined with medication (WAACWM) showed a trend toward being the highest-ranked intervention; however, no significant superiority was demonstrated between regimens. Conclusion WAA and related therapeutic regimens appear effective and safe for ALS. WAACWM may offer the greatest benefit. Further high-quality RCTs with direct comparisons are still needed to confirm these findings.

BackgroundPeriprosthetic infections remain a significant challenge in orthopedic surgeries, primarily due to bacterial biofilm formation on implant surfaces. To address this issue, we developed a novel iodine-based coating on titanium implants designed to rapidly release iodine, thereby preventing acute infections. The efficacy and safety of this coating were assessed through both in vitro experiments and an in vivo rabbit model.MethodsThe iodine coating was applied to titanium implants using electrophoretic deposition. The coated implants were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In vitro studies included antibacterial assays, iodine release kinetics, and hemolysis tests. Additionally, an acute periprosthetic infection model in rabbits was established to evaluate the coating’s performance in vivo.ResultsThe electrophoretic deposition technique successfully produced a uniform iodine coating with high iodine content and rapid release kinetics. In vitro tests demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The rabbit model showed a marked reduction in infection rates compared to uncoated implants, with no adverse effects on bone integration.ConclusionThis study introduces a promising iodine-based coating for titanium implants, offering a rapid and effective solution to prevent acute periprosthetic infections while maintaining biocompatibility and supporting bone healing.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangioma with acute cauda equina compression. Case description:A 37-year-old female patient with aggressive vertebral hemangioma presented with sudden loss of muscle strength in both lower limbs (grade I-II) and difficulty in urination and defecation. Magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography confirmed a vascular tumor within and around the L4 vertebra, causing cauda equina compression. The treatment involved staged vascular embolization (of the third lumbar artery and branches of the sacral artery) combined with L4 vertebroplasty, laminectomy decompression, and pedicle screw fixation. Postoperative pain was immediately relieved. After 3 months of rehabilitation, muscle strength in both lower limbs recovered to grade 3, with significant improvement in spontaneous urination and defecation. Imaging studies showed complete relief of spinal canal compression. Conclusions:Aggressive spinal hemangioma may require multidisciplinary collaboration, and staged vascular embolization combined with spinal decompression and stabilization surgery can effectively improve neurological function. Early intervention is crucial for achieving favorable outcomes.

Background:The incidence of secondary displacement in fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus remains high, irrespective of whether conservative or surgical treatment is administered. However, the specific risk factors contributing to secondary displacement of the greater tuberosity of the humerus have not been previously reported. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the risk factors associated with secondary displacement of the greater tuberosity of the humerus and to summarize corresponding guidelines for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus who received treatment at the same trauma center between January 2018 and December 2022. The following variables were recorded for each patient: age, gender, injured limb (left/right), whether the fracture was comminuted, bone density, fracture displacement, shoulder joint dislocation, treatment plan, and treatment outcomes, including the success rate of reduction and the time of secondary displacement. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the absence or presence of secondary displacement. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were employed. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results:Among the 177 patients enrolled in this study, 144 (81.36%) did not exhibit secondary displacement, while 33 (18.64%) did present with such displacement. Significant statistical differences were observed between the two groups in mean age, fracture type, bone mineral density, shoulder dislocation, and reduction quality of fracture, indicating a statistically significant association (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in gender, Left/right limbs, displacement of fracture, and treatment method (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that comminuted fractures, osteoporosis, shoulder dislocation and poor reduction independently contributed to an increased risk of secondary displacement of the greater tuberosity of humerus. Conclusions:Comminuted fracture, osteoporosis, shoulder dislocation, and poor reduction have been identified as independent risk factors for secondary displacement. In the course of clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is imperative to consider the potential adverse prognosis that may be associated with these conditions.

OBJECTIVE:This study endeavors to investigate the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZY) on atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice fed with a high-fat diet, as well as the latent molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS:ApoE-/- mice were fed a 40 % high-fat diet to induce atherosclerotic phenotype. Standard diet syngeneic C57BL/6 mice of the same age were used for the control group. The drug-treated groups received high-dose and low-dose XFZY via continuous intragastric administration in atherosclerotic mice. The concentrations of the inflammatory factors were measured. The lipid deposition, pathological changes and collagen expression in the thoracic aorta wall were detected. The levels of expression of CD36, ABCA1, SR-A1, and ABCG1 were quantified within the thoracic aorta tissue. RESULTS:In the XFZY-treated group, a notable decline was observed in serum lipid levels, as well as in the concentrations of inflammatory factors. This reduction was accompanied by a decrease in the accumulation of lipids within the wall of the thoracic aorta. The XFZY treatment leaded in a decrease in the expression value of collagen I and III within the thoracic aorta. Pathological examination of the thoracic aorta indicated alleviation of atherosclerotic lesions. Intriguingly, The study observed a downregulation of SR-A1 and CD36 expression, accompanied by an upregulation of ABCG1 and ABCA1 in atherosclerosis-induced mice models. CONCLUSION:XFZY exerts an anti-atherosclerotic effect not only by reducing serum lipid and inflammatory levels but also by decreasing thoracic aortic lipid deposition, repairing endothelial injury, and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. The underlying process might deal with an augmentation in cholesterol efflux and the facilitation of reverse cholesterol transport.

PURPOSE:We aimed to develop and evaluate a new diagnostic method, the 'chicken-wing muscle up test', to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of glenolabral articular disruption (GLAD) lesions compared to currently used clinical tests for injuries to the labrum. METHODS:Preoperative evaluations were conducted on 85 patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery at a single center between July 2021 to July 2022. The diagnostic performance of the preoperative clinical examinations (chicken-wing muscle up test, O'Brien test, crank test, and O'Driscoll test) were validated against the findings of arthroscopic examinations. RESULTS:12 of the 85 patients in this study had arthroscopically confirmed GLAD lesions. The chicken-wing muscle up test demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity (83.33%) for GLAD lesions than the O'Brien test (33.33%), but not the crank test (50.00%) or O'Driscoll test (25.00%), and significantly higher specificity (95.89%) than the O'Brien test (75.34%), crank test (82.19%), and O'Driscoll test (71.23%). The chicken-wing muscle up test had the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC = 0.896, P < 0.001; O'Driscoll test AUC = 0.543, P > 0.05; crank test AUC = 0.661, P > 0.05; O'Brien test AUC = 0.481, P > 0.05), indicating significantly better diagnostic efficacy for GLAD lesions than the other three tests. CONCLUSIONS:The chicken-wing muscle up test is a reliable diagnostic method that improves the accuracy of diagnosis of GLAD lesions.

Background: Prior research has demonstrated that programmed cell death (PCD) and mitochondria assume pivotal roles in controlling cellular metabolism and maintaining bone cell equilibrium. Nonetheless, the comprehensive elucidation of their mode of operation in osteoporosis (OP) warrants further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing the role of genes associated with PCD (PCD-RGs) and mitochondria (mortality factor-related genes; MRGs) in OP.Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by subjecting the GSE56815 dataset obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to differential expression analysis and comparing OP patients with healthy individuals. The genes of interest were ascertained through the intersection of DEGs, MRGs, and PCD-RGs; these genes were filtered using machine learning methodologies to discover potential biomarkers. The prospective biomarkers displaying uniform patterns and statistically meaningful variances were identified by evaluating their levels in the GSE56815 dataset and conducting quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction-based assessments. Moreover, the functional mechanisms of these biomarkers were further delineated by constructing a nomogram, which conducted gene set enrichment analysis, explored immune infiltration, generated regulatory networks, predicted drug responses, and performed molecular docking analyses.Results: Eighteen candidate genes were documented contingent upon the intersection between 2,354 DEGs, 1,136 MRGs, and 1,548 PCD-RGs. The biomarkers DAP3, BIK, and ACAA2 were upregulated in OP and were linked to oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, the predictive ability of the nomogram designed based on the OP biomarkers exhibited a certain degree of accuracy. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between CD56dim natural killer cells and ACAA2 and a significant negative correlation between central memory CD4+ T cells and DAP3. DAP3, BIK, and ACAA2 were regulated by multiple factors; specifically, SETDB1 and ZNF281 modulated ACAA2 and DAP3, whereas TP63 and TFAP2C governed DAP3 and BIK. Additionally, a stable binding force was observed between the drugs (estradiol, valproic acid, and CGP52608) and the biomarkers.Conclusion: This investigation evidenced that the biomarkers DAP3, BIK, and ACAA2 are associated with PCD and mitochondria in OP, potentially facilitate the diagnosis of OP in clinical settings.

BACKGROUND:Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of diabetic death as the final occurrence of heart failure and arrhythmia. Traditional Chinese medicine is usually used to treat various diseases including diabetes.OBJECTIVE:This study sought to investigate the effects of Traditional Chinese medicine supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation (SAC) in DCM.METHODS:After the construction of the DCM model by streptozotocin (STZ) injection and high glucose/fat diet feeding, rats were administered intragastrically with SAC. Then, cardiac systolic/diastolic function was evaluated by detecting left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximal rate of left ventricular pressure rise (+LVdp/dtmax), and fall (-LVdp/dtmax), heart rate (HR), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), LV fractional shortening (FS) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Masson’s and TUNEL staining were used to assess fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.RESULTS:DCM rats exhibited impaired cardiac systolic/diastolic function manifested by decreasing LVSP, + LVdp/dtmax, -LVdp/dtmax, HR, EF and FS, and increasing LVEDP. Intriguingly, traditional Chinese medicine SAC alleviated the above-mentioned symptoms, indicating a potential role in improving cardiac function. Masson’s staining substantiated that SAC antagonized the increased collagen deposition and interstitial fibrosis area and the elevations in protein expression of fibrosis-related collagen I and fibronectin in heart tissues of DCM rats. Furthermore, TUNEL staining confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine SAC also attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis in DCM rats. Mechanically, DCM rats showed the aberrant activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling, which was inhibited after SAC.CONCLUSION:SAC may exert cardiac protective efficacy in DCM rats via the TGF-β/Smad signaling, indicating a new promising therapeutic approach for DCM.

Implant-related infections are a challenging complication of orthopedic surgery, primarily due to the formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant surface. An antibacterial coating for titanium implants was developed to provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of implant-related infections. Titanium plates were coated with TiO2 nanotubes by anodization, and iodine was doped onto the coating via electrophoretic deposition. The obtained plates were characterized using a range of analytical techniques. Subsequently, Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated onto the surfaces of untreated titanium plates (control group), TiO2-nanocoated titanium plates (TiO2 group), and iodine-doped TiO2-nanocoated titanium plates (I-TiO2 group) to compare their antibacterial properties. Twenty-four hour in vitro antimicrobial activity test of the I-TiO2 group against Staphylococcus aureus was superior to those of the other groups, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). This coating technology provides a new theoretical basis for the development of anti-infective implants against Staphylococcus aureus in orthopedics.

目的 观察益气活血中药对糖尿病心肌病致射血分数保留心衰大鼠心功能的影响.方法 选取SPF级雄性SD大鼠,随机分为空白对照组、模型组及益气活血中药组,每组15只.空白对照组大鼠继续以普通饲料喂养,单次腹腔注射生理盐水;模型组及中药组大鼠以高糖高脂饲料喂养,以链脲佐菌素腹腔注射制作大鼠糖尿病心肌病模型,造模成功后8周空白对照组单次腹腔注射生理盐水,模型组单次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素,益气活血中药组单次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素,随后应用中药生药灌胃,连续处理10d.采用颈动脉心室内插管法评估各组大鼠心脏血流动力学指标.结果 各组大鼠心率比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与正常对照组比较,模型组左室舒张末压(LVEDP)水平显著升高(P＜0.01),左室压力最大上升速率(LV+dp/dt max)、左室压力最大下降速率(LV-dp/dt max)水平显著下降(P＜0.01);与模型组比较,益气活血中药组LVEDP显著下降(P＜0.01),LV+dp/dt max水平明显升高(P＜0.05),LV-dp/dt max绝对值显著升高(P＜0.01).结论 益气活血中药对糖尿病大鼠心脏舒张功能具有一定改善作用.

目的:探讨赤道几内亚居民腰腿痛流行病学调查分析及防控治疗措施.方法:采用描述流行病学、问卷调查等方法,选择2020年1月-2021年12月,按照随机、分层和整群抽样的方法,抽取赤道几内亚居民1000名作为对象,借助《迟到几内亚居民腰腿痛问卷调查表》完成人口学资料、健康状况、体格健康检查.体格检查后初步诊断进行必要的实验室检查和辅助检查,了解腰腿痛流行病学情况,对患病率完成单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析,确诊患者采取相应的防控治疗措施.结果:1000名赤道几内亚居民经体格及专项检查,最终确诊腰腿痛患者141例,确诊率为14.1％.赤道几内亚居民腰腿痛患病率与年龄、体重指数及居住地具有统计意义(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析结果表明:年龄(β=2.933,95％CI=0.283-4.391)、体重指数(β=1.214,95％CI=2.481-6.314)、居住地(β=1.561,95％CI=5.682-8.452)是赤道几内亚腰腿痛患病率的独立危险因素(P<0.05).结论:赤道几内亚居民腰腿痛患病率呈明显上述趋势,且城市和农村差异明显.随着居民年龄、体重指数增加,腰腿痛患病率上升明显,临床上应采取相应的措施防控,降低腰腿痛发生率.

背景:国内外有关寰枢椎后路融合器的报道较少,且存在许多不足,缺乏操作方便、植骨区域大、植骨稳定的融合器.目的:依据寰枢椎解剖学特征设计一款带融合器的寰枢椎后路内固定系统,并探讨其可行性.方法:收集100例(男、女性各50例)正常寰椎后弓及枢椎椎板的CT影像学资料,测量寰椎后弓高度及厚度、枢椎椎板斜率、寰椎后弓下缘至枢椎棘上缘突高度、寰枢椎椎间隙高度、两侧寰椎椎弓根外侧缘距离及后结节处至该线的距离并计算后弓外侧缘半径;取后结节旁4 mm处为进钉点,测量后弓螺钉置入长度及螺钉与后弓中线角度.分析解剖参数并设计带融合器的寰枢椎后路内固定系统.结果 与结论:①寰椎后弓下缘至枢椎棘突上缘高度为(19.07±2.73)mm,寰枢椎椎间隙高度为(6.83±2.01)mm,枢椎椎板斜率为(58.34±7.60)°,寰椎后弓外侧缘半径为(26.77±2.14)mm,寰椎后结节高度为(10.45±1.61)mm,寰椎后结节厚度为(8.12±1.57)mm,寰椎后弓螺钉置入长度为(11.21±1.61)mm,螺钉与后弓中线角度为(53.34±6.30)°,左侧与右侧数据差异无显著性意义;②依据寰枢椎影像学测量数据成功设计了带融合器的寰枢椎后路内固定系统,并申请获得国家专利,为寰枢椎后路内固定提供新的补充内固定方式.

目的:探讨利用骨盆解剖钢板通过改良Stoppa入路治疗骨盆前环骨折的临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析2013年9月至2020年6月期间采用改良Stoppa入路治疗的68例骨盆前环骨折患者资料,其中32例采用普通重建钢板进行固定,36例采用骨盆解剖钢板固定.其中普通钢板组:男20例,女12例;年龄为19～58岁,平均(35.6±10.12)岁.骨盆解剖钢板组:男25例,女11例;年龄为18～62岁,平均(36.8±11.03)岁.记录本组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、骨折复位质量、骨折愈合时间、疗效及并发症发生情况等.结果:重建钢板组:32例患者的手术时间平均为(103.34±19.30)min(70～180min),术中出血量平均为(352.94±30.81)ml(210～700ml),无明显手术并发症发生.解剖钢板组:36例患者的手术时间平均为(66.73±8.21)min(45～95min),术中出血量平均为(178±19.35)ml(80～300ml),无明显手术并发症发生.按照Matta评分标准评定术后骨折复位质量:重建钢板组32例病人中26例为满意,6例良好,解剖钢板组36例病人都获得满意复位.所有病例术后均获得平均18月(6-48月)随访,均获得骨愈合,平均愈合时间3.6月(3～4.8月),随访期间无1例患者发生腹壁疝、股骨头缺血性坏死、内固定断裂、骨不连等其他并发症.结论:经改良Stoppa入路利用骨盆解剖钢板治疗骨盆前环骨折,具有手术时间短、出血少、创伤小、疗效好等优点,值得临床推广.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ruanmailing oral liquid on atherosclerosis and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/SMAD4 signaling pathway in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE−/−) mice induced by a high-fat diet. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, low-dose group, high-dose group, and Lipitor group. Mice fed with standard diet formed the control group. ApoE−/− mice exhibited high-fat diet-induced atherosclerotic phenotype. The other four groups were high-fat diet model groups, low- and high-dose Ruanmailing groups (1.75 and 4.55 mL/kg/day, respectively), and Lipitor group (3.0 mg/kg/day). After 12 weeks of administration, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by blood sampling from the orbital vein of the mice, and the pathological changes in thoracic aorta due to atherosclerosis were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the concentration of serum TGF-β1, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of SMAD4 and GATA2 in the thoracic aorta of mice in each group. Results: Compared with the high-fat model group, the level of serum lipids in the test group were reduced (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the ratio of plaque area to luminal area (W/L) was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The pathological examination indicated that the atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic aorta of ApoE−/− mice were alleviated, and the high-dose Ruanmailing group had the most significant anti-atherosclerotic effect. Conclusion: Ruanmailing oral liquid exhibited an anti-atherosclerotic effect, and its mechanism may be related to the intervention of GATA2 in the TGF-β1/SMAD4 signaling pathway to reduce the differentiation and proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells.

Objective:Ruanmailing oral solution consists of 16 herbs, has anti-lipid peroxidation activity, protects vascular endothelial cells, and improves vascular elasticity. It is an effective drug for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the antiatherosclerotic effects of Ruanmailing oral solution.Methods:Macrophages were isolated, cultured, and divided into the macrophage control; macrophage foam cell; and low-, medium-, and high-concentration Ruanmailing groups. Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the expression levels of inward-rectifier potassium ion channel 2.1 (Kir2.1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analyses.Results:CCK-8 assay results showed that the tested concentrations of Ruanmailing solution did not affect macrophage proliferation. RT-PCR and Western blot assays indicated that TNF-α expression increased significantly with the formation of macrophage foam cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significant decreases in Kir2.1 and TNF-α expression were observed following treatment with various concentrations of Ruanmailing (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Based on the results, Ruanmailing affects macrophage foam cell formation by regulating Kir2.1 expression, which in turn reduces TNF-α expression and exerts antiatherosclerotic effects. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of traditional Chinese medicine for AS treatment.

高血压发病率高,防治形势极其严峻.目前治疗以西药为主,然而长期服用降压药,容易产生不同程度的耐药和不良反应,导致血压的控制情况不佳.中医药从整体辨证治疗高血压病,具有一定疗效,而且在改善临床症状方面常常优于西药.陈金水教授是第六批全国老中医药专家学术经验继承工作指导老师,擅治心血管病,在高血压病的治疗上具有一些独特经验,针对老老年高血压病的治疗,提倡从整体出发,辨证施治,脑心同治,同时注重心理疏导,故能取效.

Abstract BackgroundTo investigate the effect of Ruanmailing oral liquid on atherosclerosis and TGF-β1/SMAD4 signaling pathway in ApoE knockout mice induced by high-fat diet. MethodsForty ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, and mice fed with standard diets were the control group. ApoE-/- mice high-fat diet induced atherosclerotic phenotype. After grouping and treatment, they were divided into high-fat feeding model group, low-dose and high-dose of Ruanmailing groups (1.75, 4.55 ml/kg/d), Lipitor Group (3.0 mg/kg/d). After 12 weeks of administration, blood was collected from the mice orbit to determine the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C, and the pathological changes of thoracic aorta atherosclerosis were observed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the concentration of serum TGF-β1, and RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of SMAD4 and GATA2 in the thoracic aorta of ApoE-/- mice in each group. ResultsCompared with the high-fat model group, the serum lipids level of each administration group were reduced (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the ratio of plaque area to luminal area (W/L) was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and pathological examination indicated atherosclerotic lesions in thoracic aorta of ApoE-/- mice were alleviated, and the high-dose Ruanmailing group had the most significant anti-atherosclerotic effect. ConclusionsRuanmailing oral liquid has an anti-atherosclerotic effect, and its mechanism may be related to the intervention of GATA2 in the TGF-β1/SMAD4 signaling pathway to reduce the differentiation and proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells.

目的 观察软脉灵口服液治疗颈动脉粥样硬化的疗效.方法 选取2018年9月—2019年8月于福建医科大学附属第一医院中医科住院的颈动脉粥样硬化肝肾亏虚证患者120例,按随机数字表法分为观察和对照组各60例,治疗过程中观察组和对照组最终各脱落2例.观察组口服软脉灵口服液,每次10 mL,每日3次;对照组口服阿托伐他汀钙,每次20 mg,每日1次.疗程均为6个月.比较治疗前后2组中医证候积分及改善指数、血脂水平、炎症因子水平及颈动脉血流动力学指标[颈总动脉舒张期最小血流速度(Vmin)和收缩期最大血流速度(Vmax)].结果 与治疗前比较,2组治疗后中医证候积分、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、Vmax均降低(P均<0.05),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、Vmin均升高(P均<0.05);治疗后2组比较,观察组中医证候积分及改善指数、TG、hs-CRP、TNF-α、Vmax降低和Vmin升高更为明显(P<0.05),对照组TC、LDL-C降低更为明显(P<0.05).结论 阿托伐他汀钙降低TC和LDL-C水平更为显著,软脉灵口服液改善眩晕等中医证候,降低TG、hs-CRP和TNF-α、Vmax和增加Vmin更为显著.