Chlorogenic Acid Intravesical Therapy Changes Acute Voiding Behavior of Systemic Lipopolysaccharide Inflammation-Induced Cystitis Bladder in Mice.

This study explores the potential efficacy of chlorogenic acid (CGA) in mitigating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cystitis in a mice model. C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), LPS, LPS + low CGA, and LPS + high CGA. Evaluation methods included cystometrogram (CMG), histopathological, western blot, and immunohistological analysis. In the LPS group, CMG revealed abnormal voiding behavior with increased micturition pressure, voided volume (VV), and decreased voided frequency. Low CGA treatment in LPS mice demonstrated improved micturition pressure and inter-contraction intervals (ICI). However, high CGA treatment exhibited prolonged ICI and increased VV, suggesting potential adverse effects. Histological analysis of LPS-treated mice displayed bladder inflammation and interstitial edema. Low CGA treatment reduced interstitial edema and bladder inflammation, confirmed by Masson's trichrome staining. Western blotting revealed increased cytokeratin 20 (K20) expression in the low CGA group, indicating structural abnormalities in the bladder umbrella layer after LPS administration. In conclusion, low CGA treatment positively impacted voiding behavior and decreased bladder edema and inflammation in the LPS-induced cystitis mice model, suggesting its potential as a supplement for inflammation cystitis prevention. However, high CGA treatment exhibited adverse effects, emphasizing the importance of dosage considerations in therapeutic applications.

Composite Hydrogels of Ultrasound-Assisted-Digested Formic Acid-Decellularized Extracellular Matrix and Sacchachitin Nanofibers Incorporated with Platelet-Rich Plasma for Diabetic Wound Treatment.

In this study, an ultrasound-assisted digestion method of a formic acid-decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) of porcine skin was developed and optimized to form UdECM hydrogels for diabetic wound healing. Results demonstrated that ultrasonication improved the extraction rate of collagen from dECM samples, preserved the collagen content of dECM, reduced residual cells, and extracted greater DNA contents. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were performed, which demonstrated the optimal porosity on the surface and density of the cross-section in the hydrogel structure, which could control the release of growth factors embedded in UdECM hydrogels at desirable rates to boost wound healing. A wound-healing study was conducted with six different composite hydrogels, both empty materials and materials enriched with rat platelet-rich plasma (R-PRP), sacchachitin nanofibers (SCNFs), and TEMPO-oxidized sacchachitin in diabetic rats. The assessment based on scars stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome (MT), and a cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) staining showed that the UdECM/SC/R-PRP treatment group had the most significant efficacy of promoting healing and even recovery of diabetic wounds to normal tissues. UdECM/R-PRP and UdECM/SCNFs demonstrated better healing rates than UdECM hydrogel scaffolds, which had only recovered 50% resemblance to normal skin. Treatment with both UdECM/TEMPO 050 and UdECM/TEMPO 050/R-PRP hydrogel scaffolds was ranked last, with even poorer efficacy than UdECM hydrogels. In summary, formulated UdECM and SCNF hydrogels loaded with PRP showed synergistic effects of accelerating wound healing and ultimately stimulating the wound to recover as functional tissues. This newly UdECM/SCNF composite hydrogel has promising potential for healing and regenerating diabetic wounds.

Insight into SLC9A3 deficiency-mediated micturition dysfunction caused by electrolyte imbalance.

BACKGROUND: Solute carrier family nine isoform 3 (SLC9A3) is an Na+/H+ exchanger that regulates Ca2+ homeostasis. SLC9A3 is largely involved in the transepithelial absorption of Na+/H+ and frequently functions in pair with a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact and pathophysiological mechanisms of long-term SLC9A3 deficiency on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a mouse model MATERIALS AND METHODS: Slc9a3 knockout and wild-type mice (average >6 months) were used. The effects of SLC9A3 depletion on bladder and urethral functions and effectiveness of voiding were assessed using a cystometrogram (CMG). Histology, blood electrolytes, and gene expression were also analyzed. RESULTS: The SLC9A3-deficient mice had smaller gross bladders than the wild-type mice. The CMG analysis revealed normal peak micturition pressure, higher threshold pressure, short intercontraction interval, less voided volume, and poor compliance in the SLC9A3-deficient mice, similar to clinical LUTS. Histological analysis revealed loose detrusor muscle and loss of transformability of the urothelium in the SLC9A3-deficient mice. Masson's trichrome analysis revealed severe collagen deposition in the detrusor muscle. Immunofluorescence staining also demonstrated a significant decrease in cytokeratins 5 and 20. Gene and protein expression analyses confirmed that SLC9A3 does not act directly on bladder tissue. Homeostasis was correlated with bladder dysfunction in the SLC9A3-deficient mice. DISCUSSION: Fibrosis and collagen deposition in the bladder of the SLC9A3-deficient mice is due to bladder inflammation because of decreased blood flow and deregulated systemic homeostasis. Long-term SLC9A3 depletion causes progressive bladder dysfunction, similar to human LUTS. CONCLUSION: Electrolyte imbalance causes SLC9A3 deficiency-mediated progressive micturition dysfunction.

Nucleic acid aptamer-based traditional Chinese medicine application:therapy,targeting and diagnosis / 中国中药杂志

Nucleic acid aptamers, broad-spectrum target-specific single-stranded oligonucleotides, serve as molecules in targeted therapy, targeted delivery and disease diagnosis for the treatment of tumor or microbial infection and clinical detection. Due to the existence of components in the use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the target is difficult to concentrate and the specificity of treatment is poor. The effective components of TCM are toxic components, so a highly sensitive detection method is urgently needed to reduce the toxicity problem at the same time. The combined application of TCM and modern medical treatment strategy are difficult and cannot improve the therapeutic effect. Aptamers, advantageous in biosensors, aptamer-nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery, and aptamer-siRNA chimeras, are expected to connect Chinese medicinals with nanotechnology, diagnostic technology and combined therapies. We summarized the preparation, screening, and modification techniques of nucleic acid aptamers and the biomedical applications and advantages in therapy, targeting, and diagnosis, aiming at providing a reference for the in-depth research and development in TCM.