The crosstalk between NLRP3 inflammasome and gut microbiome in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is chronic pathological process based on the inflammatory reaction associated with factors including vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Inflammasomes are known to be at the core of the inflammatory response. As a pattern recognition receptor of innate immunity, the NLRP3 inflammasome mediates the secretion of inflammatory factors by activating the Caspase-1, which is important for maintaining the immune system and regulating the gut microbiome, and participates in the occurrence and development of AS. The intestinal microecology is composed of a large number of complex structures of gut microbiota and its metabolites, which play an important role in AS. The gut microbiota and its metabolites regulate the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and regulating intestinal microecology represent a new direction for the treatment of AS. This paper systematically reviews the interaction between the NLRP3 inflammasome and gut microbiome in AS, strategies for targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and gut microbiome for the treatment of AS, and provides new ideas for the research and development of drugs for the treatment of AS.

Effects of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills on Ventricular Remodeling and Cardiac Function after Acute Anterior Wall ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (CODE-AAMI): Protocol for a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular remodeling after acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AAMI) is an important factor in occurrence of heart failure which additionally results in poor prognosis. Therefore, the treatment of ventricular remodeling needs to be further optimized. Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a protective effect on microcirculatory disturbance caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after AAMI on a larger scale. METHODS: This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The total of 268 patients with AAMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the CDDP group (n=134) and control group (n=134) with a follow-up of 48 weeks. Both groups will be treated with standard therapy of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with the CDDP group administrating 20 tablets of CDDP before pPCI and 10 tablets 3 times daily after pPCI, and the control group treated with a placebo simultaneously. The primary endpoint is 48-week echocardiographic outcomes including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). The secondary endpoint includes the change in N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular events (death, cardiac arrest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rehospitalization due to heart failure or angina pectoris, deterioration of cardiac function, and stroke). Investigators and patients are both blinded to the allocated treatment. DISCUSSION: This prospective study will investigate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in patients undergoing pPCI for a first AAMI. Patients in the CDDP group will be compared with those in the control group. If certified to be effective, CDDP treatment in AAMI will probably be advised on a larger scale. (Trial registration No. NCT05000411).

[Studies on separation, appraisal and the biological activity of 5-HMF in Cornus officinalis].

OBJECTIVE: To develop the mechanism of improving protection function of prepared Cornus officinalis for liver and kidney and the biological activity of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). METHOD: Pharmacological and chemical studies were used to choose active part. A compound from active part was separated and appraised. To investigate his biological functions, pharmacological experiment was actualized. RESULT: A component was separated and identified. His is 5-HMF. 5-HMF can protect human vein epidermal cell against H2O2 and glucose and inprove acute liver injury in mice. CONCLUSION: 5-HMF is the active component in prepared Cornus officinalis and substance basis for protecting liver and kidney.

[Comparative study on contents of amino acid and major and trace elements in Cornus officinalis before and after being processed].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate amino acid and inorganic element in cornus officinalis and study the effects of processed on contents of them. METHODS: The amino acid analysis with precolume derivatization was implemented by HPLC and the contents of element in the prevention were determined by ICP. RESULTS: cornus officinalis contained eighteen inorganic element and abundant K, Ca, Mg. After processed, except for Cu, Ba, Ni, all were increased and the contents of La and Ce were added remarkably. Sixteen amino acid were determined in cornus officinalis and rich asp and glu were measurated. The total content of amino acid decreased, but contents of lys, phe and etc. increased. After processed, the contents of met, his were destroyed and pro reduced, however the total content of amino acid increased. CONCLUSION: cornus officinalis contains many types of amino acid and inorganic element. Processing lead to the dissolved of inorganic element increase and change of contents of amino acid. Plenty K, asp and the increase of the contents of lys, leu, val, and etc. being necessary for mamkind may be one of mechanism of enganced effect on protecting liver and kidney.