Understanding Sorafenib-Induced Cardiovascular Toxicity: Mechanisms and Treatment Implications.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been recognized as crucial agents for treating various tumors, and one of their key targets is the intracellular site of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). While TKIs have demonstrated their effectiveness in solid tumor patients and increased life expectancy, they can also lead to adverse cardiovascular effects including hypertension, thromboembolism, cardiac ischemia, and left ventricular dysfunction. Among the TKIs, sorafenib was the first approved agent and it exerts anti-tumor effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation through targeting VEGFR and RAF. Unfortunately, the adverse cardiovascular effects caused by sorafenib not only affect solid tumor patients but also limit its application in curing other diseases. This review explores the mechanisms underlying sorafenib-induced cardiovascular adverse effects, including endothelial dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, dysregulated autophagy, and ferroptosis. It also discusses potential treatment strategies, such as antioxidants and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and highlights the association between sorafenib-induced hypertension and treatment efficacy in cancer patients. Furthermore, emerging research suggests a link between sorafenib-induced glycolysis, drug resistance, and cardiovascular toxicity, necessitating further investigation. Overall, understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing sorafenib therapy and minimizing cardiovascular risks in cancer patients.

Erzhi pills reverse PD-L1-mediated immunosuppression in melanoma microenvironment.

Background: Cancer immunotherapies aimed at activating immune system, especially by blocking immune checkpoints, have become a successful modality for treating patients with advanced cancers. However, its clinical practice is frequently conceded by high outcomes, low initial response rates and severe side effects. New strategies are necessary to complement and advance this biological therapy. Erzhi Pills (EZP) have diverse pharmaceutical effects including immune regulation, anti-tumor and anti-senescence. We hypothesized that EZP could exert its antitumor effect through immunomodulation. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EZP on anti-tumor activities, and define its molecular mechanisms. Methods: By applying melanoma model with high immune infiltrates, we determined the anti-melanoma effect of EZP. To identify whether this effect was mediated by direct targeting tumor cells, cell viability and apoptosis were examined in vitro. Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the potential mechanisms of EZP for melanoma via immune response. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry (IHC), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and crystal violet (CV) experiments were performed to detect T cell infiltrations and functions mediated by EZP. The mechanism of EZP was further investigated by western blotting both in vivo and in vitro. Results: The administration of EZP significantly inhibited tumor weight and volume. EZP extract could only slightly reduce cell viability and induce melanoma apoptosis. Network pharmacology analysis predicted that JAK-STAT signaling pathway and T cell receptor signaling pathway might be involved during EZP treatment. Flow cytometry and IHC analyses showed that EZP increased the number of CD4+ T cells and enhanced the function of CD8+ T cells. In co-culture experiments, EZP elevated killing ability of T cells. Western blotting showed that EZP treatment reduced PD-L1 signaling pathway. Conclusion: These findings indicated that EZP exerted anti-melanoma effects by inducing apoptosis and blocking PD-L1 to activate T cells. EZP might represent a promising candidate drug for cancer immunotherapies.

BMP and activin receptor membrane bound inhibitor: BAMBI has multiple roles in gene expression and diseases (Review).

BMP and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, known as a pseudo-receptor for TGFß, as, while its extracellular domain is similar to that of type I TGFß receptors, its intracellular structure is shorter and lacks a serine/threonine phosphokinase signaling motif. BAMBI can regulate numerous biological phenomena, including glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and cell proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, abnormal expression of BAMBI at the mRNA and protein levels contributes to various human pathologies, including obesity and cancer. In the present review, the structure of BAMBI is briefly introduced and its associated signaling pathways and physiological functions are described. Understanding of BAMBI structure and function may contribute to knowledge regarding the occurrence of diseases, including obesity and diabetes, among others. The present review provides a theoretical foundation for the development of BAMBI as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target.

Danshensu prevents thrombosis by inhibiting platelet activation via SIRT1/ROS/mtDNA pathways without increasing bleeding risk.

BACKGROUND: Coronary thrombosis and its correlated disorders are main healthcare problems globally. The therapeutic effects of current treatments involving antiplatelet drugs are not fully satisfactory. Danshensu (DSS) is an important monomer obtained from Salvia miltiorrhiza roots that have been widely employed for vascular diseases in medicinal practices. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms of DSS are not fully unraveled. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to penetrate the antithrombotic and antiplatelet mechanisms of DSS. METHODS: Network pharmacology assay was used to forecast the cellular mechanisms of DSS for treating thrombosis. The work focused the impacts of DSS on platelet activation by analyzing aggregation and adhesion in vitro. Flow cytometry, western blotting, CM-H2DCFDA staining and mitochondrial function assays were performed to reveal the molecular mechanisms. The model of common carotid artery thrombus induced by ferric chloride was established. The wet weight of thrombus was measured, and the thrombosis was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, in order to support the inhibitory effect of DSS on thrombosis. RESULTS: Data mining found the antithrombotic effect of DSS is related to platelet activation and the core target is silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1). We confirmed that DSS dose-dependently inhibited platelet activation in vitro. DSS was further demonstrated to induce the expression of SIRT1 and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) burden and thereby prevented mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial function tests further indicated that DSS prevented mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release, which induced activation of platelet in a dendritic cell specific intercellular-adhesion-molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN)-dependent manner. In carotid artery injury model induced by ferric chloride, DSS inhibited the development of carotid arterial thrombosis. More encouragingly, in tail bleeding time assay, DSS did not augment bleeding risk. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that DSS effectively inhibited platelet activation by depressing the collection of ROS and the release of platelet mtDNA without arousing hemorrhage risk. DSS might represent a promising candidate drug for thrombosis and cardiovascular disease therapeutics.

Shuxuetong injection and its peptides enhance angiogenesis after hindlimb ischemia by activating the MYPT1/LIMK1/Cofilin pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shuxuetong (SXT) injection is formulated by leech and earthworm, has been widely used in the treatment of thrombotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases with remarkable clinical efficacy. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to investigate the protective mechanism of SXT injection on the mice model of hindlimb ischemia, and to evaluate the angiogenic effects of SXT injection and its main active substances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hindlimb ischemia was induced by left femoral artery ligation. After operation, the mice were injected with saline, 10 mg/kg/d cilostazol, 37.5 mg/kg/d SXT injection, 75 mg/kg/d SXT injection and 150 mg/kg/d SXT injection via tail vein for 4 weeks. Ischemia severity was assessed using laser Doppler perfusion imaging system. Tissue recovery and capillary density were evaluated by histological and immunofluorescent staining. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) expression were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) proliferation was measured using a BrdU kit and the viability of HUVECs was performed by MTT assay. Migration of HUVECs was performed by the wound healing method and a modified transwell assay. Capillary tube formation by HUVECs was examined by using Matrigel assay. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of p-Cofilin, p-MYPT1, and p-LIMK1. RESULTS: SXT injection treatment significantly restored the blood flow and reduced tissue injury in mouse gastrocnemius muscle. SXT injection treatment increased capillary density and promoted angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia. Moreover, SXT injection enhanced the expression of VEGF-A and PDGF-BB at both mRNA and protein levels in ischemic tissue of mice. SXT injection and its main active peptides dramatically increased the migration and capillary tube formation of HUVECs. SXT injection and its peptides enhanced protein expressions of the phosphorylation of MYPT1, Cofilin, and LIMK1. DSYVGDEAQSKR, YNELRVAPEEHP, and IQFLPEGSPVTM may act as the active components of SXT injection. CONCLUSION: SXT injection promoted angiogenesis and improved function recovery in hindlimb ischemia mice by regulation of VEGF-A/PDGF-BB. Moreover, SXT injection and its active peptides induced cell migration and tube formation in HUVECs through activating the MYPT1/LIMK1/Cofilin pathway. This study provided experimental basis for SXT injection in the treatment of ischemic diseases and revealed the effective substance of SXT injection in regulating angiogenesis, providing better evidence for the clinical application of SXT injection.

Naoxintong capsule limits myocardial infarct expansion by inhibiting platelet activation through the ERK5 pathway.

BACKGROUND: In the clinic, Naoxintong capsule (NXT) has been applied in two level prevention of ischemic disease. However, its mechanism of action requires further study. PURPOSE: This study investigated whether NXT could affect platelet function and activation under ischemic pathological conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into six groups, sham, saline, NXT (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg), and aspirin group (10 mg/kg). For the pre-treatment assays, MI model was established after pre-administration of saline, NXT-L, NXT-M, NXT-H, and aspirin respectively for 14 days, and after surgery, there were no continuous treatments. For the post-treatment assay, rats were orally administered for 3 days after MI. FeCl3-induced thrombosis model was applied to determine the thrombus wet weight. Bleeding time was used to assess the ability of the platelets to develop a hemostatic plug. RESULTS: NXT decreased infarct size, decreased LDH, CK, and CK-MB values, and improved cardiac function. NXT inhibited platelets activation through reducing CD62P-positive platelets and inhibited infarct expansion by decreasing the number of CD45-positive cells and the amount of MMP9 secreted into the heart tissue. Mechanistically, NXT inhibited platelets activation through decreasing ROS levels, decreasing ERK5 phosphorylation, and increasing RAC1 phosphorylation in MI rats. Pre-treatment with NXT decreased thrombus formation and had normal bleeding times. CONCLUSION: NXT showed obviously preventive effects, which was associated with negative control of platelet activation. The above results provide a basis for clinically expanding application of NXT.

Tetrandrine promotes angiogenesis via transcriptional regulation of VEGF-A.

Angiogenesis is crucial for tissue damage repair in ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) acts as a vital mediator in angiogenesis. In this study, tetrandrine (Tet) was found from 23 herbal chemicals to increase VEGF-A mRNA expression in H9c2 cells and the effect was confirmed in freshly isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The effect of Tet on VEGF-A expression and the possible mechanism were investigated. Tet treatment increased de novo VEGF-A mRNA synthesis and did not affect VEGF-A mRNA stability. The circulating chromosome conformation capture (4C) experiments indicated that Tet enhanced VEGF-A transcription by targeting a regulatory element beyond the 2.6 kb region of the translation start site. Tet augmented the angiogenic activities of endothelial cells. It also enhanced blood flow restoration and capillary vessel density following ischemic limb injury associated with an escalation of VEGF-A expression. Moreover, in myocardial infarction (MI) model Tet treatment elevated neovascularization, reduced infarction size, and improved heart function via upregulating VEGF-A levels. Our results suggested that Tet increased VEGF-A transcription through a novel mechanism that likely involves a distant regulatory element and may be useful for therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic diseases.

Oroxylin a Attenuates Limb Ischemia by Promoting Angiogenesis via Modulation of Endothelial Cell Migration.

Oroxylin A (OA) has been shown to simultaneously increase coronary flow and provide a strong anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we described the angiogenic properties of OA. OA treatment accelerated perfusion recovery, reduced tissue injury, and promoted angiogenesis after hindlimb ischemia (HLI). In addition, OA regulated the secretion of multiple cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-2), and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). Specifically, those multiple cytokines were involved in cell migration, cell population proliferation, and angiogenesis. These effects were observed at 3, 7, and 14 days after HLI. In skeletal muscle cells, OA promoted the release of VEGFA and ANG-2. After OA treatment, the conditioned medium derived from skeletal muscle cells was found to significantly induce endothelial cell (EC) proliferation. OA also induced EC migration by activating the Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK-II) signaling pathway and the T-box20 (TBX20)/prokineticin 2 (PROK2) signaling pathway. In addition, OA was able to downregulate the number of macrophages and neutrophils, along with the secretion of interleukin-1ß, at 3 days after HLI. These results expanded current knowledge about the beneficial effects of OA in angiogenesis and blood flow recovery. This research could open new directions for the development of novel therapeutic intervention for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Naoxintong accelerates diabetic wound healing by attenuating inflammatory response.

CONTEXT: Naoxintong (NXT), a prescribed traditional Chinese medicine, widely used in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, could be effective in diabetic wounds. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the wound healing activity of NXT by employing an excisional wound splinting model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NXT was dissolved in saline and given daily by gavage. Wounds were induced at the dorsum of non-diabetic (db/+) and diabetic (db/db) mice and treated with saline or 700 mg/kg/d NXT for 16 days. Wound closure was measured every four days. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, collagen deposition, leukocyte infiltration and expression of Col-3, CK14, CXCL1, CXCL2, MPO, Ly6G, CD68, CCR7, CD206, p-JAK1, p-STAT3 and p-STAT6 was analysed. RESULTS: NXT significantly accelerated rate of wound closure increased from 70% to 84%, accompanied by up-regulation of collagen deposition and ECM at days 16 post-injury. Moreover, NXT alleviated neutrophil infiltration, accompanied by down-regulation of CXCL1 and CXCL2 mRNA expression. In addition, NXT markedly augmented neutrophil efferocytosis. In diabetic wounds, the levels of M1 marker gene (CCR7) increased, while M2 marker gene (CD206) decreased, demonstrating a pro-inflammatory shift. Application of NXT increased M2 macrophage phenotype in db/db mice. Mechanistically, NXT treatment increased expression level of p-STAT3 and p-STAT6 at days 3 post-injury, indicating NXT mediated macrophages towards M2 phenotype and alleviated inflammation in diabetic wounds by activation of STAT3 and STAT6. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that NXT accelerates diabetic wound healing by attenuating inflammatory response, which provides an important basis for use of NXT in the treatment of chronic diabetic wound healing.

Cryptotanshinone enhances wound healing in type 2 diabetes with modulatory effects on inflammation, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodelling.

CONTEXT: Cryptotanshinone (CT) is a diterpene quinone compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Labiatae has been widely used in cardio-cerebral vascular diseases, which could be potentially effective in treating diabetic wounds. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the wound healing activity of CT by employing an excisional wound splinting model in db/db mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wounds were induced at the dorsum of non-diabetic (db/+) and diabetic (db/db) mice and treated with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) or 300 mg/kg/d CT for 16 days. Wound closure was measured every two days. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, re-epithelialization, granulation, leukocyte infiltration, capillary density, collagen deposition and expressions of CXCL1, CXCL2, VEGF, Ang-1, p-eNOS, eNOS, α-SMA, MMP2 and MMP9 were analysed. Expression of VEGF and tube formation was measured in vitro with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: CT significantly accelerated rate of wound closure, as the contraction ratio increased from 68% (non-treated group) to 83% (CT-treated group) at days 16 post-injury. A significant increase was observed in re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. Mechanistically, CT suppressed leukocyte infiltration and CXCL1 and CXCL2 expression. CT treatment also increased blood vessel density and expression level of VEGF, Ang-1 and p-eNOS. In vitro, CT boosted expression of VEGF and tube formation of endothelial cells. Moreover, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling was enhanced by CT via promoting fibroblast transformation and inhibiting MMP2 and MMP9. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that CT could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of chronic diabetic wound healing.

Ferulic acid protects cardiomyocytes from TNF-α/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis by regulating autophagy.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in irreversible cardiac cell damage or death because of decreased blood flow to the heart. Apoptosis plays an important role in the process of tissue damage after myocardial infarction (MI), which has pathological and therapeutic implications. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid endowed with strong antioxidative and cytoprotective activities. The present study aimed to investigate whether FA protects cardiomyocytes from apoptosis by regulating autophagy, which is a cellular self-digestion process, and one of the first lines of defense against oxidative stress. Apoptosis was induced by TNF-α (10 ng/mL) and cycloheximide (CHX, 5 µg/mL) in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes. FA-inhibited TNF-α/CHX-induced apoptosis was determined by the quantification of TUNEL-positive cells, and the effect was associated with decreased ROS production and inhibited caspase3 activation. FA treatment enhanced autophagy and increased autophagy-associated protein expression, leading to an inhibition of mTOR signaling. When co-treated with 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, the anti-apoptotic effect of FA was attenuated. In an in vivo mouse MI model, FA treatment decreased the apoptotic cell number, reduced infarct size, and improved cardiac performance, as determined by histological and echocardiographic assessments. Taken collectively, these results suggest that FA could protect cardiomyocytes from apoptosis by enhancing autophagy.

The protective effects of different compatibility proportions of the couplet medicines for Astragali Radix and Angelica sinensis Radix on myocardial infarction injury.

Context: Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelica sinensis Radix (ASR) combinations are used to treat cardiovascular disorders.Objectives: This study investigates the protective effects of different compatibility proportions of AR and ASR on cardiac dysfunction in a C57BL/6 mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI).Materials and methods: MI mice were induced by ligation of the left coronary artery and divided into six groups: sham, vehicle, 10 mg/kg/d simvastatin and combinations of AR and ASR at different ratios, including 1:1 (AR 2.5 g/kg + ASR 2.5 g/kg), 3:1 (AR 3.75 g/kg + ASR 1.25 g/kg) and 5:1 (AR 4.17 g/kg + ASR 0.83 g/kg). Both AR-ASR combinations and simvastatin were dissolved in saline solution and given daily by gavage. The left ventricle function, infarct size, heart tissue injury, apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, leukocyte infiltrates, capillary density and expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, Bad, IL-1ß, IL-6, VEGF, p-Akt and p-eNOS were analysed.Results: Different combinations of AR and ASR improve cardiac function and reduce infarct size (61.15% vs. 39.3%, 42.65% and 45.5%) and tissue injury through different mechanisms. When AR was combined with ASR at ratio of 1:1, the inflammation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were suppressed (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The combination ratio of 3:1 exerted effect in promoting angiogensis (p < 0.05). In the combination of AR and ASR at 5:1 ratio, angiogenesis was significantly improved (p < 0.01) and the apoptosis was inhibited (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our results reflect the regulation of multiple targets and links in herb pairs and provide an important basis for the use of AR and ASR combinations in the treatment of MI.

Naoxintong restores collateral blood flow in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia through PPARδ-dependent mechanism.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Naoxintong (NXT) is a compound preparation that is widely used in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study is to investigate the protective mechanism of NXT on the mice model of peripheral vascular disease (PAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, hindlimb ischemia was induced by ligation of femoral artery on the right leg of mice. After surgery, the mice were administrated with saline solution, 10 mg/kg/d simvastatin and 700 mg/kg/d NXT for 4 weeks. The blood flow perfusion was measured by laser Doppler perfusion imaging system. Histological and immunofluorescent staining was used to determine muscle recovery, capillary density, tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) and phosphorylated-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS) expression. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferased UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was performed to detect the apoptosis of myocytes in hindlimb. The autophagy-associated gene expression and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) expression were measured by Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of light-chain 3 (LC3), VEGF, p-Akt, p-eNOS and PPARs. The EMSA experiment was performed to figure out whether PPARδ could directly bind to the predicted PPRE motif of VEGF. RESULTS: NXT treatment significantly accelerated perfusion recovery and reduced tissue injury in mice muscle. Apoptosis and autophagy were decreased within the ischemic muscle of NXT-treated mice. Quantification of vessels in hindlimb muscles provided evidences that NXT promoted angiogenesis in peripheral ischemia. In addition, results from western blotting and immunofluorescent staining suggested NXT induced angiogenesis via VEGF/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway. More interestingly, NXT specifically increased the expression of PPARδ in both mRNA and protein levels. EMSA results showed that PPARδ associated with PPRE site of VEGF promoter, suggesting that NXT-induced VEGF expression is mediated, at least in part, by PPARδ. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present study implicated that the restoration of hindlimb blood perfusion and recovery of limb functions were improved in NXT-treated mice with significant improvement of angiogenesis mediated by PPARδ-VEGF-Akt-eNOS axis as well as attenuation of autophagy and apoptosis. These results expand knowledge about the beneficial effects of NXT in angiogenesis and blood flow recovery. It might provide insight into the PPARδ regulating neovascularization in hindlimb ischemia and identify NXT as a potent new compound used for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Aucubin promotes angiogenesis via estrogen receptor beta in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia.

Aucubin (AU) is an iridoid glycoside that has been shown to display estrogenic properties and has various pharmacological effects. Herein, we described the angiogenic properties of AU. In the study, hindlimb ischemia was induced by ligation of femoral artery on the right leg of ovariectomized mice. AU treatment significantly accelerated perfusion recovery and reduced tissue injury in mice muscle. Quantification of CD31-positive vessels in hindlimb muscles provided evidences that AU promoted angiogenesis in peripheral ischemia. In addition, results from quantitative PCR and western blot suggested AU induced angiogenesis via vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway. More interestingly, AU's angiogenic effects could be completely abolished in estrogen receptor beta (ERß) knockout mice. In conclusion, the underlying mechanisms were elucidated that AU produced pro-angiogenic effects through ERß-mediated VEGF signaling pathways. These results expand knowledge about the beneficial effects of AU in angiogenesis and blood flow recovery. It might provide insight into the ERß regulating neovascularisation in hindlimb ischemia and identify AU as a potent new compound used for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Naoxintong inhibits myocardial infarction injury by VEGF/eNOS signaling-mediated neovascularization.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Naoxintong capsules (NXT), a traditional Chinese Medical preparation, are widely used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, while the mechanism is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery in mice. Echocardiographic measurements were performed to do physiological assessments of left ventricle (LV) function. Histological and immunohistochemical staining was used to determine infarct size, capillary density, tissue endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) model and flow cytometric (FCM) analyses were applied to assay endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) mobilization. Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to detect the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), kinase domain region (KDR), phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), phosphorylated-eNOS (p-eNOS). RESULTS: NXT administration reduced myocardium fibrosis and increased myocardium capillary density in response to MI. NXT increased circulating Sca1+/ Fetal liver kinase 1 (Flk1)+ mononuclear cells (MNCs) and soluble Kit ligand (sKitL) of bone marrow (BM) in response to MI. In mice transplanted with green fluorescent protein (GFP) BM cells, NXT increased the numbers of GFP-positive cells at the border zone of the ischemic region in MI-induced mice. NXT increased the numbers of eNOS-expressing BM-derived cells in tissues, which was involved in increased the expressions of VEGF, KDR, p-eNOS, p-Akt in the myocardium. CONCLUSION: NXT-mediated recovery in MI-induced mice was involved in mobilization and incorporation of bone marrow-derived EPCs/circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) leading to enhancement of neovascularization via VEGF/eNOS signaling.

The significance of transarterial chemoembolization combined with systemic chemotherapy for patients with KRAS wild-type unresectable metachronous colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the survival benefits of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with systemic chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for metachronous unresectable colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases (CLMs) and to identify prognostic determinants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four patients with KRAS wild-type metachronous unresectable CLMs were retrospectively collected from January 2006 to December 2014. Patients were divided into four groups according to treatment modality: 43 patients with chemotherapy alone (Group A), 39 patients with chemotherapy plus TACE (Group B), 38 patients with chemotherapy plus cetuximab (Group C), and 34 patients with chemotherapy plus TACE and cetuximab (Group D). We compared the rate of patients converted to resection for liver metastases (LMs), overall survival among these groups, and assessed prognostic factors. RESULTS: The median interval time from resection of primary tumor to the diagnosis of CMLs was 12.0 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates and median survival time (MST) for all patients were 83.1%, 24.7%, 5.8%, and 22.9 months, respectively. Survival rates were significantly different in four groups at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years with the MST of 17.5, 28.4, 18.9, and 30.3 months, respectively (P < 0.0001). The R0 resection rates for LMs were 7.0% in Group A, 30.8% in Group B, 10.5% in Group C, and 32.4% in Group D, which were statistically significantly different (P = 0.004). Univariate analysis revealed that posttreatment carcinoembryonic antigen serum level, tumor node (TN) stage, resection of LMs, tumor response, and treatment group were the significant prognostic factors. After adjusting the covariates in multivariate analysis, TN stage (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.394, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.027-1.893,P = 0.033), tumor response (HR = 2.901, 95% CI = 2.105-3.999,P < 0.0001), and treatment group (HR = 0.726, 95% CI = 0.594-0.887,P= 0.002) remained independent prognostic determinants. CONCLUSION: For patients with initially unresectable KRAS wild-type CLMs, chemotherapy plus TACE improved the resectability of LMs and survival compared with chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus cetuximab.

[Preliminary investigation on mechanism of Naoxintong capsule's preventive treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular disease based on serum proteomics].

Naoxintong capsule has beneficial effects for activating blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis and dredging collateral. It is widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, stroke and cardiovascular disease. However, the pharmacodynamic basis and possible mechanism of its preventive effects are not clear. In this study, 10 male and 10 female C57BL/6 mice were used, and were randomly divided into the control group (saline) and Naoxintong group. Adaptively fed for 7 days in common conditions, mice were given Naoxintong capsule or saline for 3 days via intragastric administration. Serum was collected from 6 mice in each group 1 h after the last administration. Serum proteins were prepared to do two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Then image analysis and mass spectrometry detection were carried out to screen and identify the differentially expressed proteins and make bioinformatics analysis. It was found that 24 differentially expressed proteins between Naoxintong group and control group. Compared with the control group, 12 proteins were increased, and 12 were decreased. The proteins were involved in apoptosis signal pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor signal transduction pathway, in which vasohibin-1 is a negative feedback regulation factor in angiogenesis. Western blot showed that the expression of vasohibin-1 in Naoxintong group was reduced, which is consistent with the result in two-dimensional electrophoresis. Serum proteins expression is different between Naoxintong and control groups. The targets of these differentially expressed proteins include endothelial cells, inflammatory cells and platelets. The changes on proteins showed that Naoxintong capsule may ameliorate coronary heart disease and ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and provide potential biological markers to prevent ischemic disease.

[Effect of Naoxintong capsule on endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and homing following bone marrow transplantation in a mouse hind limb ischemia model].

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are precursor cells of endothelial cells. Signal molecules produced by ischemia and hypoxia can promote mobilization of bone marrow EPCs to peripheral circulation and formation of novel blood vessels in tissues that are damaged during heart attack. Naoxintong capsule (NXT) has the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, promoting the circulation of qi and relieving pain. The various components in NXT have protective effects on blood vessels and can effectively improve the symptoms of ischemia. However, its effect on EPCs is not clear. To study the intervention effect of NXT on mobilization and homing of peripheral blood EPCs, green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and then unilateral hind limb ischemia model (UHLI) were constructed. For BMT, wild-type ICR mice were irradiated by CS137 and then injected with 4×106 bone marrow cells isolated from GFP mice. The bone marrow reconstitution of recipients was assessed by quantification of GFP bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) from transplanted mice 4 weeks after BMT. The UHLI model was duplicated by ligating femoral artery and divided into three groups: the model group, the NXT group (model+NXT) and the positive control group (model+simvastatin). Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of GFP positive cells and the peripheral blood EPCs levels at 1, 3, 7, 14 days before and after surgery. Ischemic tissue of gastrocnemius muscle was excised at 3 and 7 days after operation for immunofluorescence staining to detect the number of GFP+ cells. The bone marrow chimerism was achieved at day 28 after BMT. There was no significant difference in the percentage of GFP positive cells between BMT mice and GFP transgenic mice. NXT and simvastatin could significantly increase the number of peripheral blood EPCs 1,3 days after surgery. Three and seven days after operation, the number of homing EPCs was significantly higher in NXT group and positive control group than that in model group (P<0.001). In conclusion, NXT can obviously promote the mobilization and homing of EPCs.