Naringin ameliorates liver fibrosis in zebrafish by modulating IDO1-mediated lipid metabolism and inflammatory infiltration.

Liver fibrosis (LF) is an important reparative process in response to acute or chronic hepatic injury, which has the potential to advance towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dietary naringin consumption contributes to protection against LF in animal studies, while the exact protective mechanism of naringin remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the potential protective effect of naringin against TAA-induced LF in zebrafish. In this study, we utilized zebrafish to create the LF model and investigate the therapeutic mechanism of naringin. Firstly, we evaluated the changes in hepatic fibrosis and lipid accumulation in the liver following naringin treatment with oil red O, Nile red, and Sirius red and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we employed an ROS probe to directly measure oxidative stress and monitor inflammatory cell migration in a zebrafish transgenic line. Morpholino was used in the knockdown of IDO1 in order to verify its vital role in LF. Our findings demonstrated that naringin exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic action in conjunction with a reversal in lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and suppression of macrophage infiltration and activation of hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, the results showed that the antifibrotic effect of naringin was removed upon IDO1 knockdown, proving that naringin exerts a protective effect by regulating IDO1. Naringin demonstrates remarkable protective effects against LF, effectively counteracting inflammation and hepatic steatosis in zebrafish liver. These findings suggest that naringin may function as an effective IDO1 inhibitor, holding the potential for clinical translation as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of LF.

Droplet microarray platforms for high-throughput drug screening.

High-throughput screening platforms are fundamental for the rapid and efficient processing of large amounts of experimental data. Parallelization and miniaturization of experiments are important for improving their cost-effectiveness. The development of miniaturized high-throughput screening platforms is essential in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology. Currently, most laboratories use 96- or 384-well microtiter plates for screening; however, they have disadvantages, such as high reagent and cell consumption, low throughput, and inability to avoid cross-contamination, which need to be further optimized. Droplet microarrays, as novel screening platforms, can effectively avoid these shortcomings. Here, the preparation method of the droplet microarray, method of adding compounds in parallel, and means to read the results are briefly described. Next, the latest research on droplet microarray platforms in biomedicine is presented, including their application in high-throughput culture, cell screening, high-throughput nucleic acid screening, drug development, and individualized medicine. Finally, the challenges and future trends in droplet microarray technology are summarized.

Biosensors integrated 3D organoid/organ-on-a-chip system: A real-time biomechanical, biophysical, and biochemical monitoring and characterization.

As a full-fidelity simulation of human cells, tissues, organs, and even systems at the microscopic scale, Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) has significant ethical advantages and development potential compared to animal experiments. The need for the design of new drug high-throughput screening platforms and the mechanistic study of human tissues/organs under pathological conditions, the evolving advances in 3D cell biology and engineering, etc., have promoted the updating of technologies in this field, such as the iteration of chip materials and 3D printing, which in turn facilitate the connection of complex multi-organs-on-chips for simulation and the further development of technology-composite new drug high-throughput screening platforms. As the most critical part of organ-on-a-chip design and practical application, verifying the success of organ model modeling, i.e., evaluating various biochemical and physical parameters in OOC devices, is crucial. Therefore, this paper provides a logical and comprehensive review and discussion of the advances in organ-on-a-chip detection and evaluation technologies from a broad perspective, covering the directions of tissue engineering scaffolds, microenvironment, single/multi-organ function, and stimulus-based evaluation, and provides a more comprehensive review of the progress in the significant organ-on-a-chip research areas in the physiological state.

The Comparative Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine Exercise Therapies in Elderly People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly is a health problem worldwide. Studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapies can improve MCI. However, which therapy is the best and their impacts on brain function remain controversial and uncertain. This study aims to compare and rank TCM exercise therapies for MCI in the elderly, and analyze their effects on brain function, in order to find an optimal intervention and provide a basis for clinical treatments decision-making. Methods: The Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wangfang database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biomedical Medicine (CBM) were searched through October 28, 2021. Two researchers reviewed all the studies and extracted the data. The ADDIS software version 1.16.8 and the Bayesian hierarchical model were used for pair-wise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis, and the STATA software version 14.0 was used to draw the network evidence plots and funnel plots. Results: A total of 23 studies on 2282 participants were included in this study. In the pair-wise meta-analysis, TCM exercise therapies (Baduanjin exercise, Tai Chi, Liuzijue exercise and finger exercise) were superior to non-TCM exercise therapies (stretching and toning exercise, usual care, health education and routine daily activities) in terms of MMSE, MoCA and ADL outcomes. In the network meta-analysis, the MMSE outcome ranked Baduanjin exercise (78%) as the best intervention and Tai Chi (36%) as the second. The MoCA outcome ranked Baduanjin exercise (62%) as the best intervention. For the ADL outcome, Baduanjin exercise (60%) ranked the best, and followed by finger exercise (43%). Conclusion: TCM exercise therapies may improve the cognitive function in elderly patients with MCI. Among the four therapies included, the Baduanjin exercise may be the preferred therapy for MCI in the elderly, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of cognitive-related brain function and structure. Systematic Review Registration: https://inplasy.com, identifier: INPLASY202070006.

Comparative efficacy of Chinese patent medicines for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A network meta-analysis.

Background: The incidence of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing year by year. Researches showed that Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) had achieved good efficacy in the treatment of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the debate on optimum Chinese patent medicine (CPM) persists. Therefore, we conducted a network meta-analysis to objectively compare the efficacy of different Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were used as databases for RCT researches retrieval. The retrieval time was from establishment of the database to July 2022. After effective data was extracted, Review Manager 5.4 and Cochrane Collaboration System Evaluator's Manual were used to assess bias risk. STATA 16.0 based on frequency theory was used for the network meta-analysis. Results: Totally 39 studies were included, involving 13 Chinese patent medicines, including 4049 patients, of which 42 patients were lost. In terms of improving clinical efficiency rate, Zhibitai capsule was most likely the best choice of Chinese patent medicine for Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liuwei Wuling tablet had the best effect in reducing serum ALT and AST; Gandan Shukang capsule had the best effect in reducing serum GGT; Qianggan capsule had the best effect in reducing serum TG; Dangfei Liganning capsule had the best effect in reducing serum TC. None of the included studies had serious adverse reactions. Conclusion: For patients with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in this NMA, Zhibitai capsule, Liuwei Wuling tablet, Gandan Shukang capsule, Qianggan capsule, Dangfei Liganning capsule might be noteworthy. Due to the uclear risk bias, better designed double-blind, multi center and large sample RCTs are needed which resolve the problems of blinding, selective reporting and allocation concealment. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022341240.

Effects of different acupuncture treatment methods on post-stroke cognitive impairment: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a common dysfunction after stroke that seriously affects the overall recovery of patients. Cognitive rehabilitation training is currently the main treatment to improve cognitive function, but its curative effect is limited. Acupuncture is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and some previous clinical studies have shown that it might be effective in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), but further evidence from large-sample studies is needed. The overall objective of this trial is to obtain further data to develop an optimized acupuncture treatment for PSCI by comparing the effects of different acupuncture treatment methods on cognitive function in PSCI patients. METHODS/DESIGN: In this multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial, 206 eligible stroke inpatients who meet the trial criteria will be randomly assigned to 2 groups: an electroacupuncture (EA) plus needle retention (NR) group and an EA group. Both groups of patients will undergo the same routine cognitive rehabilitation treatments. All treatments will be given 5 times per week for 8 weeks. The primary outcomes will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MOCA). The secondary outcome will be measured by the Barthel Index (BI). All outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, week 4, week 8, and the third and sixth month after the end of treatment. DISCUSSION: Our aim is to evaluate the effects of two different acupuncture treatment methods for treating PSCI patients. This study is expected to provide data to be used in developing an optimized acupuncture treatment method for PSCI treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900027849. Registered on 30 November 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=46316.

The comparative effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine exercise therapies in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment: A protocol for a network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly is a health problem worldwide. Several clinical trials indicated that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapies can effectively improve MCI, such as Tai Ji, Baduan jin exercise, Liuzi jue, and finger exercise. However, there is still controversy over which therapy is the best for elderly MCI patients. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of these 4 TCM exercise therapies in elderly patients with MCI. METHODS: The Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang database, and Chinese Biomedical Medicine will be comprehensively searched to collect all randomized controlled trials which included elderly participants with MCI receiving TCM exercise therapies through July 2020. Two reviewers will independently screen and evaluate each included study and extract the outcome indexes. ADDIS 1.16.8 software will be used for the network meta-analysis and STATA 14 software will be used for drawing network evidence plots and funnel plots. RESULTS: We will use the Bayesian statistical model to conduct a network meta-analysis to rank the effectiveness and safety of these 4 interventions, and use the GRADE approach to interpret the results. CONCLUSION: This network meta-analysis will find out the optimal treatment plan for MCI and provide evidence-based bias for clinical treatments decision-making. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070006.

Hypoglycemic agents for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries, and strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several studies have shown that hypoglycemic agents are effective for NAFLD combined with T2DM. However, there is still controversy over which hypoglycemic agent is the best for NAFLD combined with T2DM patients. OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypoglycemic agents in NAFLD combined with T2DM patients. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic search will be conducted by searching Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials and Chinese Biomedical Medicine. All randomized controlled trials of hypoglycemic agents interventions for NAFLD combined with T2DM will be identified. Two reviewers independently screened and evaluated each included study and extracted the outcome indexes. ADDIS 1.16.8 software will be used for the network meta-analysis and STATA 14 software will be used for drawing network evidence plots and funnel plots. CONCLUSION: This network meta-analysis will provide stronger evidence for the efficacy and safety of hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of NAFLD combined with T2DM, and provide a reference for clinical application. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070016.