Combination of Dendrobium Mixture and Metformin Curbs the Development and Progression of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Targeting the lncRNA NEAT1.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of combination treatment with dendrobium mixture and metformin (Met) in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its effects on NEAT1 and the Nrf2 signaling pathway. METHODS: H9c2 cells were maintained in medium supplemented with either low (5.5 mmol/L) or high (50 mmol/L) glucose. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-glucose diet and administered a single, low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection to induce the development of DM. After induction of DM, the rats were treated with dendrobium mixture (10 g/kg) and Met (0.18 g/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Next, quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression levels of target genes and proteins. Flow cytometry was performed to assess apoptosis, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate the morphological changes in rat cardiac tissue. RESULTS: In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and myocardial cells and heart tissues from rats with high glucose-induced DM, NEAT1 was downregulated, and the expression levels of Nrf2 were decreased (p<0.01, p<0.001). The combination of dendrobium mixture and Met upregulated the expression of NEAT1 which upregulated Nrf2 by targeting miR-23a-3p, resulting in reduced apoptosis and improved cardiac tissue morphology (p<0.01, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Dendrobium mixture and Met upregulated the expression of NEAT1 in DCM, thereby inhibiting apoptosis of myocardial cells.

Combination of Dendrobium Mixture and Metformin Curbs the Development and Progression of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Targeting the lncRNA NEAT1

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of combination treatment with dendrobium mixture and metformin (Met) in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its effects on NEAT1 and the Nrf2 signaling pathway. METHODS: H9c2 cells were maintained in medium supplemented with either low (5.5 mmol/L) or high (50 mmol/L) glucose. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-glucose diet and administered a single, low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection to induce the development of DM. After induction of DM, the rats were treated with dendrobium mixture (10 g/kg) and Met (0.18 g/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Next, quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression levels of target genes and proteins. Flow cytometry was performed to assess apoptosis, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate the morphological changes in rat cardiac tissue. RESULTS: In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and myocardial cells and heart tissues from rats with high glucose-induced DM, NEAT1 was downregulated, and the expression levels of Nrf2 were decreased (p<0.01, p<0.001). The combination of dendrobium mixture and Met upregulated the expression of NEAT1 which upregulated Nrf2 by targeting miR-23a-3p, resulting in reduced apoptosis and improved cardiac tissue morphology (p<0.01, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Dendrobium mixture and Met upregulated the expression of NEAT1 in DCM, thereby inhibiting apoptosis of myocardial cells.

Rotational and Rotational-Vibrational Raman Spectroscopy of Air to Characterize Astronomical Spectrographs.

Raman scattering enables unforeseen uses for the laser guide-star system of the Very Large Telescope. Here, we present the observation of one up-link sodium laser beam acquired with the ESPRESSO spectrograph at a resolution λ/Δλ∼140 000. In 900 s on source, we detect the pure rotational Raman lines of ^{16}O_{2}, ^{14}N_{2}, and ^{14}N^{15}N (tentatively) up to rotational quantum numbers J of 27, 24, and 9, respectively. We detect the ^{16}O_{2} fine-structure lines induced by the interaction of the electronic spin S and end-over-end rotational angular momentum N in the electronic ground state of this molecule up to N=9. The same spectrum also reveals the ν_{1←0} rotational-vibrational Q-branch for ^{16}O_{2} and ^{14}N_{2}. These observations demonstrate the potential of using laser guide-star systems as accurate calibration sources for characterizing new astronomical spectrographs.

Dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism associated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C: case report and literature review

Pegylated interferon alpha (Peg IFN-α) in combination with ribavirin is the backbone of treatment in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Cardiotoxicity due to interferon therapy is rare. The most frequent cardiovascular complications are arrhythmias and ischemic manifestations. Cardiomyopathy is extremely rare but can be life threatening. We present the case of a 41-year-old female patient with CHC in whom Peg IFN-α induced dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism. Chest radiography showed an enlarged and globular cardiac silhouette and pulmonary congestion. Echocardiography showed decreased left ventricular systolic function with an ejection fraction of 32% and fractional shortening of 15%. Cardiomyopathy had a complete remission after cessation of antiviral therapy with short-term heart failure medications and supportive care. Then we review the current literature about interferon induced cardiomyopathy in patients with HCV infection, as well as share our clinical experience in diagnosing and managing this rare complication.

Dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism associated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C: case report and literature review.

Pegylated interferon alpha (Peg IFN-α) in combination with ribavirin is the backbone of treatment in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Cardiotoxicity due to interferon therapy is rare. The most frequent cardiovascular complications are arrhythmias and ischemic manifestations. Cardiomyopathy is extremely rare but can be life threatening. We present the case of a 41-year-old female patient with CHC in whom Peg IFN-α induced dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism. Chest radiography showed an enlarged and globular cardiac silhouette and pulmonary congestion. Echocardiography showed decreased left ventricular systolic function with an ejection fraction of 32% and fractional shortening of 15%. Cardiomyopathy had a complete remission after cessation of antiviral therapy with short-term heart failure medications and supportive care. Then we review the current literature about interferon induced cardiomyopathy in patients with HCV infection, as well as share our clinical experience in diagnosing and managing this rare complication.