Therapeutic of Candesartan and Music Therapy in Diabetic Retinopathy with Depression in Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of candesartan combined with music therapy on diabetic retinopathy with depression and to assess the molecular mechanisms. Associated animal model of diabetes mellitus and depression was established in rats. Pathological changes in the hippocampus were detected by haematoxylin eosin (H&E) staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect retinal cell apoptosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) in peripheral blood and neurotransmitters, including serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) in the hippocampus, was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and c-fos in the hippocampus. Our data showed that chromatin aggregation and cytoplasmic vacuolation were observable in the hippocampal cells of the rats in the model group, while candesartan and music therapy could reduce morphological changes in the hippocampus of diabetic rats with depression. Compared with the control group, the apoptosis of retinal cells was significantly higher, the contents of 5-HT, DA, and NE in the hippocampus were significantly lower, Ang II level in peripheral blood was significantly higher, and the expression of BDNF and c-fos in the hippocampus decreased significantly in the model group. By contrast, candesartan or candesartan + music therapy ameliorated the changes in retina cell apoptosis, reduction of neurotransmitters, increase in AII, and the expression of c-fos and BDNF. Especially, music therapy further improved the effects of candesartan on retina cell apoptosis and neurotransmitter release in diabetic retinopathy rats with depression. In conclusion, candesartan and music therapy have an additive effect in DM with both visual impairment and depression, which might serve a potential alternative treatment for this complex disease.

Effects of Probiotics on Patients with Hypertension: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotics on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and blood glucose changes in patients with hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and ProQuest databases using a combination of MeSH and free text, from the inception of these databases to 20 January 2020, with no language restrictions. The quantitative PEDro scale method was used to assess the quality of the included studies. We used the random effects models to estimate the outcomes, with heterogeneity among the studies assessed using Cochran's Q statistic. Fourteen included studies published between 2002 and 2019 were included in the meta-analysis, reporting results of 846 hypertension participants. A significant reduction in SBP by - 2.05 mmHg (95% CI - 3.87, -0.24, P = 0.03), DBP by - 1.26 mmHg (95% CI - 2.51, - 0.004, P = 0.047), BMI by - 1.03 (95% CI - 1.28, - 0.97, P < 0.01), and blood glucose by - 0.18 mmol/L (95% CI - 0.30 - 0.05, P = 0.007) was observed following probiotics intervention. Our meta-analysis showed a modest but a significant reduction in SBP and DBP in patients with hypertension, particularly in those with diabetes mellitus, following probiotic supplementation. This effect was associated with treatment duration, dosage, and the age of subject but was not associated with single or multiple strains usage. Additionally, probiotic supplement had a beneficial effect in reducing BMI and blood glucose.

Ultra-small pH-responsive Nd-doped NaDyF4 Nanoagents for Enhanced Cancer Theranostic by in situ Aggregation.

To achieve accurate tumor location and highly efficient cancer therapy effect, the properties of cancer theranostic agents should be optimized and enhanced. In this work, ultra-small Nd doped NaDyF4 were firstly reported as novel contrast agents for near-infrared second window downconversion luminescence (NIR II DCL) and magnetic resonance imaging. Based on the optimization strategy, gallic acid-Fe(III) complex modified NaDyF4:10%Nd (NaDyF4:10%Nd-GA-Fe) was selected as the optimal agent with high transversal relaxivity, strong NIR II DCL, high photothermal conversion efficiency, and low toxicity. In vitro experiment found that it can be aggregated rapidly in low pH condition, leading to the particle size increasing. Due to the theranostic properties coupled in NaDyF4:10%Nd-GA-Fe are size dependent, properties enhancement was observed within the pH responsive aggregation progress. Further study in small animal model bearing tumor demonstrated the enhanced cancer theranostic by in situ aggregation. The optimized nanoagents have potential applications in medical and also provide a novel strategy for future study of cancer theranostic enhancement.

Trimer procyanidin oligomers contribute to the protective effects of cinnamon extracts on pancreatic ß-cells in vitro.

AIM: Cinnamon extracts rich in procyanidin oligomers have shown to improve pancreatic ß-cell function in diabetic db/db mice. The aim of this study was to identify the active compounds in extracts from two species of cinnamon responsible for the pancreatic ß-cell protection in vitro. METHODS: Cinnamon extracts were prepared from Cinnamomum tamala (CT-E) and Cinnamomum cassia (CC-E). Six compounds procyanidin B2 (cpd1), (-)-epicatechin (cpd2), cinnamtannin B1 (cpd3), procyanidin C1 (cpd4), parameritannin A1 (cpd5) and cinnamtannin D1 (cpd6) were isolated from the extracts. INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells were exposed to palmitic acid (PA) or H2O2 to induce lipotoxicity and oxidative stress. Cell viability and apoptosis as well as ROS levels were assessed. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was examined in PA-treated ß-cells and murine islets. RESULTS: CT-E, CC-E as well as the compounds, except cpd5, did not cause cytotoxicity in the ß-cells up to the maximum dosage using in this experiment. CT-E and CC-E (12.5-50 µg/mL) dose-dependently increased cell viability in both PA- and H2O2-treated ß-cells, and decreased ROS accumulation in H2O2-treated ß-cells. CT-E caused more prominent ß-cell protection than CC-E. Furthermore, CT-E (25 and 50 µg/mL) dose-dependently increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in PA-treated ß-cells and murine islets, but CC-E had little effect. Among the 6 compounds, trimer procyanidins cpd3, cpd4 and cpd6 (12.5-50 µmol/L) dose-dependently increased the cell viability and decreased ROS accumulation in H2O2-treated ß-cells. The trimer procyanidins also increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in PA-treated ß-cells. CONCLUSION: Trimer procyanidins in the cinnamon extracts contribute to the pancreatic ß-cell protection, thus to the anti-diabetic activity.

[Efficacy controlled observation on acupuncture and western medicine for gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Forty cases of gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis were randomized into an acupuncture group and a motilium group, 20 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) for 30 min, once a day. In the motilium group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, motilium was taken orally 30 min before meals, 10 mg each time, three times a day. The treatment was required for 2 weeks in both groups. The changes in the digestive tract symptom score and liver function Child-Pugh score were observed and the efficacy was assessed. RESULTS: The total effective rate of digestive tract symptoms was 85.0% (17/20) in the acupuncture group and 70.0% (14/20) in the motilium group. The score improvements in abdominal distention, belching and vomiting in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the motilium group (all P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the liver function Child-Pugh total score was 8.40 +/- 0.22 before treatment and reduced to 5.36 +/- 0.17 after treatment, in which the scores for ascites, serum bilirubin and albumin were all reduced (all P < 0.05) and the reducing range was increased in tendency with the improvements in digestive tract symptoms. In the motilium group, Child-Pugh score was not changed obviously as compared with that before treatment. CONCLUSION Acupuncture effectively alleviates digestive tract symptoms and improves liver function for the patients of liver cirrhosis, its efficacy on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis is superior to motilium.

Merit of anisodamine combined with opioid δ-receptor activation in the protection against myocardial injury during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MIR) injury easily occurrs during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in elderly patients. In an attempt to develop an effective strategy, we employed a pig model of MIR injury to investigate the maximum rate of change of left ventricular pressure, left ventricular enddiastolic pressure, and left intraventricular pressure. Coronary sinus cardiac troponin T (TnT) and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) content in myocardium were measured. The ultrastructures for MIR injury were visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The role of δ-opioid receptor activation using D-Ala2, D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) in both early (D1) and late (D2) phases of cardioprotection was identified. Also, the merit of cardioprotection by DADLE in combination with anisodamine, the muscarinic receptor antagonist (D+M), was evaluated. Glibenclamide was employed at the dose sufficient to block ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Significant higher cardiac indicators, reduced TnT and increased ATP contents, were observed in D1, D2, and D+M groups compared with the control group. DADLE induced protection was better in later phase of ischemia that was attenuated by glibenclamide. DADLE after the ischemia showed no benefit, but combined treatment with anisodamine showed a marked postischemic cardioprotection. Thus, anisodamine is helpful in combination with DADLE for postischemic cardioprotection.

The yin and yang of signaling in Tregs and TH17 cells.

Substantial advances in our understanding of the developmental and functional relationship between regulatory T cells (T(regs)) and T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells and their potential clinical applications have been made. In response to these breakthroughs, the second international conference entitled "China Tregs/Th17 2010 Shanghai Conference," held in Shanghai, China, was dedicated to this topic. Various types of T(regs) and T(H)17 cells, as well as their relevant cytokines, were discussed. Here, we summarize some of the findings shared at the conference, specifically focusing on the biology of T(H)17 cells, including interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing innate cells, T(regs), and the factors that control the critical balance between T(regs) and cells of the T(H)17 lineage.