The efficacy of electroacupuncture in among early diabetic patients with lower limb arteriosclerotic wounds.

Diabetic foot ulcers are the prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus, frequently culminating in arteriosclerosis of the lower extremities and consequent development of chronic wounds. The effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) as therapeutic intervention for promoting wound healing in this particular group of patients has been comprehensively assessed in this study. A randomized controlled trial involving 380 early diabetic patients with arteriosclerotic lesions of the lower limbs was conducted. Standard wound care plus EA was administered to the treatment group, while standard wound care alone was administered to the control group. The principal outcome assessed was the reduction in lesion size following the 8-week treatment period. Pain scores, recuperation time, and quality of life (QoL) evaluations constituted secondary outcomes. In comparison to the control group, the treatment group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in wound size (p < 0.05). The treatment group exhibited significantly reduced pain scores and significantly higher QoL scores (p < 0.05). The duration of recovery did not vary substantially among the groups (p > 0.05). Electroacupuncture thus appeared to be an effective adjunctive treatment for early diabetic patients with lower limb arteriosclerotic lesions, promoting pain relief and quality of life. Additional investigation is necessary to validate these results and delve into the underlying mechanisms of action.

Sonodynamic therapy combined with phototherapy: Novel synergistic strategy with superior efficacy for antitumor and antiinfection therapy.

Phototherapy (PT), including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), has recently achieved significant advances in antitumor and antiinfection therapy. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), as a novel noninvasive therapy with a deeper penetration depth (>8 cm), fewer side effects and non-phototoxicity than PT, has drawn much attention in recent years. However, both PT and SDT have intrinsic limitations. By combining PT with SDT, the dualmodel therapy with advanced sensitizers overcome the intrinsic limitations and show higher efficacy than traditional monotherapy. Moreover, the photo-diagnosis modality could be easily integrated into synergistic therapy so that the sensitizer acts as a tracer for fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging, and the treatment process is visualized in a way that SDT combined with other therapies cannot achieve. This review summarizes the advanced sensitizers and the application of combination therapy, and explores the improvement strategies for promoting clinical transformation.

Effect of Shexiang Baoxin Pill () in Alleviating Early Hypertensive Renal Injury in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (, SBP) on early hypertensive renal injury in rats and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Twelve-week-old spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) with high-salt diet (dietary containing 8% NaCl) were randomized into the SBP group [40 mg/(kg·d)], losartan potassium group [20 mg/(kg·d)] and saline group by stratified random sampling method, 12 in each group. Blood pressure and urea albumin creatinine ratio were measured. After 10 weeks, the expression levels of serum creatinine (Scr), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-1 ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) in serum were assessed. Kidney pathology periodate-schiff staining was performed. Semi-quantitative count of macrophage infiltration was determined by immunochemistry of CD68 staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to examine the mRNA and protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), monocyte chemokine peptide (MCP-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase-1 (Arg-1). RESULTS: SBP did not affect the mortality of SHR (P<0.05). SBP significantly reduced the level of elevated blood pressure of SHRs, but the effect was less significantly than that of losartan potassium. SBP decreased urine protein (P<0.01) and the expression levels of IL-1 ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-ß in serum. The 22-week-old SHRs showed mild proliferation of glomerular endothelial cells, glomerular ischemic lesions, inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tubular interstitium and arteriosclerosis. Both SBP and losartan potassium had alleviated renal pathological change, and significantly reduced the infiltration of macrophage (P<0.05, P<0.01). SBP and losartan potassium decreased the expressions of TLR4, NF-κB, MCP-1, iNOS, and Arg-1. CONCLUSION: SBP significantly modified the early hypertensive renal injury by reducing inflammation, and the effect was similar to losartan potassium.

Resina Draconis Reduces Acute Liver Injury and Promotes Liver Regeneration after 2/3 Partial Hepatectomy in Mice.

AIM: To investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of action of resina draconis (RD) on acute liver injury and liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) in mice. METHODS: 2/3 PH was used to induce acute liver injury. Mice were divided into three groups: sham, vehicle + 2/3 PH, and RD + 2/3 PH. Resina draconis was administered intragastrically after 2/3 PH into the RD + 2/3 PH group, and the same volume of vehicle (1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) was injected into the vehicle + 2/3 PH group and sham group mice. The index of liver to body weight (ILBW) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were assayed to evaluate liver regeneration. Blood and liver tissues were collected for serological and western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Resina draconis protected against 2/3 PH-induced acute severe liver injury and promoted liver regeneration as shown by significantly increased ILBW compared with that of controls. 2/3 PH increased serum AST and ALT levels, which were significantly decreased by RD treatment, while 2/3 PH decreased serum TP and ALB, which were increased by RD treatment. In the RD + 2/3 PH group, PCNA expression was significantly increased compared with the 2/3 PH group. Further, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), TNFα, and EGFR levels were increased in the RD group at postoperative days 2 and 4 compared with the those in the 2/3 PH group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that RD ameliorates acute hepatic injury and promotes liver cell proliferation, liver weight restoration, and liver function after 2/3 PH, probably via HGF, TNFα, and EGFR signaling.

Fluorometric and Colorimetric Dual-Readout Immunoassay Based on an Alkaline Phosphatase-Triggered Reaction.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) usually acts as a signal transmitter in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); therefore, developing an attractive ALP activity assay, especially using a preferable substrate, would help improve the efficiency and convenience of ELISA in practical applications. Herein we have first prepared an original and creative substrate, named m-hydroxyphenyl phosphate sodium salt ( m-HPP), with a desirable dephosphorylation site for ALP. On the basis of the ALP-catalyzed hydrolysis of m-HPP to resorcinol and its subsequent specific nucleophilic reaction with dopamine, we have exploited a fluorometric and colorimetric dual-readout ALP activity assay and ALP-based ELISA system. Under the employed experimental conditions, highly sensitive and specific assay of ALP and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) has been accomplished in a straightforward way. Furthermore, the commendable sensing performance of our proposed ELISA in the determination of the cTnI level in diluted human serum unambiguously illustrates great potential in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Establishment of Logic Gates Based on Conformational Changes in a Multiple-Factor Biomolecule Interaction Process by Dual Polarization Interferometry.

DNA-based logic gates stimulate the development of molecular scale computers and show enormous potential in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medicine. However, the reported detectors to date usually require one to label appropriate signal probes, resulting in not only a high cost but also potentially tedious manipulation. For the first time, we established a label-free logic gate by regarding the structure-related signal as output. Dual polarization interferometry (DPI) was employed to reveal the detailed conformational transitions occurring in the multiple-factor biomolecule interactions and then was utilized as a detection tool of logic gate. As a vital merit of this system, the dependence of the density output signal on the interaction with multiple-factor input can mimic the function of signal communication in OR, INHIBIT, and IDENTITY logic gates and the INHIBIT-OR cascade circuit. Additionally, the DPI signal with logic stringency can unambiguously distinguish conformational polymorphisms and compare structural stability. This study provides a new way for the construction of a label-free logic gate, supplements information deficiency of reaction details, and extends the application of DPI in logic operation.

Rosmarinic acid stimulates liver regeneration through the mTOR pathway.

BACKGROUND: Rosemary (Rosmarinus offcinsalis L) has a liver protection function under various conditions of liver damage. Rosmarinic acid, one of the pharmacological constituents of rosemary, exhibited protective effects against organ injury, including acute liver injury. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that RA stimulates liver regeneration. STUDY DESIGN: In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanism of RA administration on liver regeneration using partial hepatectomy (PH), a well-validated liver regeneration model in mice. METHODS: We use a 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) model to induce liver regeneration. RA was administered prior to and simultaneously with PH. The regeneration process was estimated by the index of the liver to body weight (ILBW) and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and liver transaminases. RESULTS: The administration of rosmarinic acid stimulated hepatocyte proliferation based on activation of the mTOR/S6K pathway. Rosmarinic acid treatment also rescued impaired liver function due to PH. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that RA is potentially useful to promote liver regeneration.

Atorvastatin improves pathological changes in the aged kidney by upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression and reducing matrix metalloproteinase-9 and transforming growth factor-ß1 levels.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of atorvastatin (AVT) on renal function and renal pathological changes in the aged rat and explore their possible mechanisms. METHODS: Twenty-month-old, normal female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group A (n=8) was fed high-dose AVT (10mg/kg/d); group B (n=8) was fed low-dose AVT (1mg/kg/d); and group C (controls, n=8) received the same volume of normal saline; 3-month-old, normal female Wistar rats served as young normal controls (n=8). All rats were sacrificed following a 4-month treatment period. Serum creatinine and blood lipid levels were measured. The glomerular sclerosis index and tubulointerstitial lesions were determined using renal periodic acid-Schiff-stained paraffin sections. The mRNA and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9 and -2, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions and Western blots, respectively. RESULTS: Serum lipid (including serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides) levels in aged rats were significantly higher than those in young rats (p<0.05). Compared to the aged control group, high-dose AVT was associated with significantly lower serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in aged rats (p<0.05); low-dose AVT was associated only with lower serum LDL-C levels (p<0.05). Renal morphological changes in aged rats included focal glomerulosclerosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and arteriole sclerosis. Improved renal pathology was observed in aged, AVT-treated rats, and included a decreased glomerular sclerosis index and tubulointerstitial lesion score, especially in those receiving high-dose AVT. Additionally, renal artery wall thickening, luminal narrowing, and arteriolosclerosis were significantly less severe in aged rats receiving high-dose AVT. Upregulated expression of MMP-9 and TGF-ß1 was observed in the renal tissue of aged rats. AVT treatment was associated with a reversal of these phenomena and upregulated expression of TIMP-1, PPARα, PPARß, and PPARγ in aged rats. CONCLUSION: AVT improved the renal pathology of aged rats. These effects may have been induced by the lowering of blood lipids, maintaining the MMP/TIMP balance, and downregulating the expression of TGF-ß1. AVT may reduce the levels of MMP-9 and TGF-ß in aged rats by upregulating the expression of PPARs.

[Early renal tubulointerstitial changes and their interventions with Shenkang Injection in diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether renal tubulointerstitial lesions are early renal pathological changes and its interventions in diabetic rats. METHODS: The type 2 diabetic rat model was induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet with a low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. And Shenkang Injection (SKI) was used as an intervention drug. A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into diabetic (DM), DM+SKI (DMSK) and normal control (NC) groups. The general status, blood biochemical parameters, microalbuminuria and urinary N-acetyl-D-glueosaminidas (NAG) were recorded. The insulin resistance of diabetic rats was detected with hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp test.Renal pathological changes were evaluated with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in kidney tissue and renal interstitial CD68(+) cells was detected with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The levels of microalbuminuria, urinary NAG, glomerular volume, renal tubular score, TLR4 expression and renal interstitial CD68(+) cells significantly increased in DM rats with body weight loss and insulin resistance (IOD value of TLR4: 6 289.86 ± 272.45 vs 207.14 ± 22.37; CD68(+) cells: 8.79 ± 0.79 vs.1.23 ± 0.52). All changes in DM rats improved after SKI intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Renal tubulointerstitial lesions are early renal damages in type 2 diabetic rats.SKI can attenuate diabetic tubulointerstitial damage and delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy associated with the inhibition of TLR4 expression and inflammation-mediated macrophage infiltration.

[The action of PI3K/AKT during genistein promoting the activity of eNOS].

OBJECTIVE: Genistein could inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. This study explored the role of PI3K/AKT signaling during genistein promoted eNOS activation. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L), then treated with genistein (100 nmol/L) for 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 min. The production of NO was assessed by Griess reaction in cell culture supernatant. The mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of eNOS and phosphorylation eNOS(Ser(1179)) were determined by Western blot. The effect of genistein on phosphorylation eNOS(Ser(1179)) level was also observed in the presence of LY294002 or NSC154020 (PI3K and AKT inhibitors). RESULTS: The concentration of NO and the expression level of phosphorylation eNOS(Ser(1179)) were significantly increased in ox-LDL + genistein treated cells than ox-LDL treated cells (all P < 0.05), and the peak effects were observed at 15 min, however, eNOS mRNA and non-phosphorylated eNOS protein expression were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the expression level of phosphorylation eNOS(Ser(1179)) was significantly lower in PIK3/AKT inhibitors LY294002 and NSC154020 treated cells compared with ox-LDL + genistein treated cells (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Genistein could promote the activity of eNOS through increasing phosphorylation eNOS(Ser(1179)) level through PI3K/AKT pathway.

[Clinical observation on point-through-point therapy of scalp electroacupuncture for treatment of facial spasm].

OBJECTIVE: To search for the best method of increasing clinical therapeutic effect of facial spasm. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of facial spasm were selected and divided randomly into a scalp point-through-point electroacupuncture group (EA treatment group), an electroacupuncture control group (EA control group) and a carbamazepine control group, 40 cases in each group. Baihui (GV 20)-through-Qubin (GB 7), Shenting (GV 24)-through-Hanyan (GB 4), Touwei (ST 8)-through-Xuanli (GB 6), Benshen (GB 13)-through-Shuaigu (GB 8) were selected in the EA treatment group, and Baihui (GV 20), Yangbai (GB 14), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (TE 17), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected in the EA control group, and the EA treatment was given once each day, for 30 days. The carbamazepine control group were treated with carbamazepine 0.1 g, twice each day, for 30 days. Their therapeutic effects were evaluated by changes of grading of facial spasm strength and frequency, and myoelectric activity. RESULTS: The strength and frequency of facial spasm significantly decreased in the EA treatment group with very significant differences as compared with other two groups (P<0.01), and there was a significant difference in the electrophysiologic indexes as the EA treatment group compared with other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Scalp point-through-point electroacupuncture can increase therapeutic effect on facial spasm and it is a better therapy for this disease.