Advances in the research of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 inhibitors / 药学学报

From the process of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) invading cells, the combination of gp120 and CD4 is the first step for HIV-1 to invade cells. Interfering with this process can prevent HIV from recognizing target cells and inhibit virus replication. Therefore, HIV-1 gp120 is an important part of the HIV-1 life cycle. Fostesavir, a phosphatate prodrug derived from the gp120 inhibitor BMS-626529 modified by the prodrug strategy, was approved for the treatment of adult patients with multidrug resistant HIV-1 infection by the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In this review, we focus on the research progress of small molecule inhibitors targeting the interaction of gp120-CD4 from the perspective of medicinal chemistry, in order to provide reference for the subsequent research of gp120 inhibitors.

Effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot in attenuating diabetic tubulopathy by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell apoptosis / 中国中药杂志

Renal tubular injury in patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD) may be accompanied by glomerular and microvascular diseases. It plays a critical role in the progression of renal damage in DKD, and is now known as diabetic tubulopathy(DT). To explore the multi-targeted therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms in vivo of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA), an extract from traditional Chinese medicine for treating kidney disease, in attenuating DT, the authors randomly divided all rats into four groups: a normal control group(normal group), a DT model group(model group), a DT model+TFA-treated group(TFA group) and a DT model+rosiglitazone(ROS)-treated group(ROS group). The DT rat model was established based on the DKD rat model by means of integrated measures. After successful modeling, the rats in the four groups were continuously given double-distilled water, TFA suspension, and ROS suspension, respectively by gavage every day. After 6 weeks of treatment, all rats were sacrificed, and the samples of their urine, blood, and kidneys were collected. The effects of TFA and ROS on various indicators related to urine and blood biochemistry, renal tubular injury, renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), as well as the activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP) signaling pathway in the kidney of the DT model rats were investigated. The results indicated that hypertrophy of renal tubular epithelial cells, renal tubular hyperplasia and occlusion, as well as interstitial extracellular matrix and collagen deposition occurred in the DT model rats. Moreover, significant changes were found in the expression degree and the protein expression level of renal tubular injury markers. In addition, there was an abnormal increase in tubular urine proteins. After TFA or ROS treatment, urine protein, the characteristics of renal tubular injury, renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and ERS, as well as the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in the kidney of the DT model rats were improved to varying degrees. Therein, TFA was superior to ROS in affecting the pathological changes in renal tubule/interstitium. In short, with the DT model rats, this study demonstrated that TFA could attenuate DT by multiple targets through inhibiting renal tubular ERS-induced cell apoptosis in vivo, and its effect and mechanism were related to suppressing the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in the kidney. These findings provided preliminary pharmacological evidence for the application of TFA in the clinical treatment of DT.

Effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot in improving insulin resistance and podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetic kidney disease based on IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA), the extracts from traditional Chinese medicine indicated for kidney diseases, on insulin resistance(IR) and podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in diabetic kidney disease(DKD), and further to reveal the scientific connotation. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a TFA group, and a rosiglitazone(ROS) group. The modified DKD model was induced in rats by methods including high-fat diet feeding, unilateral nephrectomy, and streptozotocin(STZ) intraperitoneal injection. After modeling, the rats in the four groups were given double-distilled water, TFA suspension, and ROS suspension correspondingly by gavage every day. At the end of the 8th week of drug administration, all rats were sacrificed, and the samples of urine, blood, and kidney tissues were collected. The parameters and indicators related to IR and podocyte EMT in the DKD model rats were examined and observed, including the general condition, body weight(BW) and kidney weight(KW), the biochemical parameters and IR indicators, the protein expression levels of the key signaling molecules and structural molecules of slit diaphragm in the renal insulin receptor substrate(IRS) 1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt) pathway, foot process form and glomerular basement membrane(GBM) thickness, the expression of the marked molecules and structural molecules of slit diaphragm in podocyte EMT, and glomerular histomorphological characteristics. The results showed that for the DKD model rats, both TFA and ROS could improve the general condition, some biochemical parameters, renal appearance, and KW. The ameliorative effects of TFA and ROS were equivalent on BW, urinary albumin(UAlb)/urinary creatinine(UCr), serum creatinine(Scr), triglyceride(TG), and KW. Secondly, they could both improve IR indicators, and ROS was superior to TFA in improving fast insulin(FIN) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR). Thirdly, they could both improve the protein expression levels of the key signaling molecules in the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway and glomerulosclerosis in varying degrees, and their ameliorative effects were similar. Finally, both could improve podocyte injury and EMT, and TFA was superior to ROS. In conclusion, this study suggested that podocyte EMT and glomerulosclerosis could be induced by IR and the decreased activation of the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway in the kidney in DKD. Similar to ROS, the effects of TFA in inhibiting podocyte EMT in DKD were related to inducing the activation of the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway and improving IR, which could be one of the scientific connotations of TFA against DKD. This study provides preliminary pharmacological evidence for the development and application of TFA in the field of diabetic complications.

Mechanism study of Dangshen Pingfei Huoxue decoction in treatment of pulmonary fibrosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the potential mechanism of Dangshen Pingfei Huoxue decoction (DPHD) in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The common targets of DPHD and pulmonary fibrosis were obtained. Cytoscape software was used to construct " disease-drug-ingredients-targets " network diagram, and the common targets were imported into the STRING database for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis to screen out the core targets. In order to screen out key signaling pathways, the core genes were inputted into the DAVID platform for gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Then the molecular docking technology was used to verify the molecular docking between the core components and the key proteins in the signaling pathway. Finally, the molecular docking technology was used to verify the results of network pharmacology. Results A total of 176 active ingredients were obtained, and the top 5 was quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin and p-sitosterol, respectively. A total of 116 common targets were obtained. A total of 21 core targets were finally obtained by PPI screening, and the top 5 was AKT1, CCND1, CASP3, MYC and IL1B, respectively. The results of GO enrichment analysis showed that DPHD was mainly involved biological processes of oxidative stress, proliferation and differentiation, transcriptional regulation, drug response and inflammatory response. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the mainly signaling pathways included PI3K/Akt, MAPK, cellular senescence, AMPK, and TGF-beta. Molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of the top 5 active components of DPHD and the top 5 core targets were all less than-6.0 kcal • mo

Regulatory Effect of Herbal Pair Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix on PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 Signaling Pathway in Rats with T2DM Based on Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of herbal pair Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix （AR-PLR） against type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. MethodThe active ingredients and targets of AR and PLR were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）. The related targets of T2DM were retrieved from disease databases and the common targets of drugs and diseases were extracted. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was analyzed and constructed by STRING and the network topology of key targets was analyzed by Cytoscape 3.7.1. Then gene ontology（GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes（KEGG） enrichment analyses of core targets were carried out by DAVID to explore its possible molecular mechanism. The T2DM model was induced in rats by the high-fat diet combined with tail intravenous injection of streptozocin. The rats were divided into a normal group，a model group，a metformin group，and high-，medium- and low-dose AR-PLR groups. After four weeks of intragastric administration，the serum levels of fasting blood sugar （FBS），fasting insulin（FINS），aspartate aminotransferase（AST），alanine aminotransferase（ALT），triglyceride（TG），total cholesterol（TC），low-density lipoprotein cholesterin（LDL-C），high-density lipoprotein cholesterin （HDL-C），interleukin-6（IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） of rats in each group were measured. The protein expression of insulin receptor substrate-2（IRS-2），phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K），protein kinase B（Akt）， and forkhead box transcription factor O1（FoxO1） in rat liver was detected by Western blot. ResultA total of 131 core targets of AR-PLR in the treatment of T2DM were screened out by network pharmacology， where Akt1，mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 （MAPK1），TNF-α，and IL-6 were critical. As revealed by KEGG enrichment analysis， AR-PLR exerted the hypoglycemic effect mainly through the PI3K/Akt，TNF， and FoxO signaling pathways. Compared with the model group，the high- and medium-dose AR-PLR groups showed reduced FBS and FINS levels and increased glycogen level （P<0.05，P<0.01），all the AR-PLR groups showed decreased levels of AST，ALT，TG， and LDL-C （P<0.05，P<0.01）， the high- and low-dose AR-PLR groups showed decreased TC levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the high- and medium-dose AR-PLR groups showed reduced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α（P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the high-dose AR-PLR group showed increased expression of IRS-2， Akt， p-Akt， PI3K， and p-PI3K， and decreased expression of FoxO1 protein（P<0.05）. ConclusionAR-PLR has the characteristics of multi-component，Multi-target and multi-pathway in the treatment of T2DM. This herbal pair may regulate the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway through IL-6， TNF-α， and other targets to affect insulin resistance， glycogen synthesis， gluconeogenesis， glucose transport， inflammation， immune response， and other processes， thereby treating T2DM.

Association between functional dyspepsia and serum levels of brain-gut peptides in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the association between functional dyspepsia (FD) and serum levels of brain-gut peptides including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nesfatin-1, and ghrelin in children.@*METHODS@#A total of 38 children with FD who attended Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from November 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled as the FD group. Thirty-four healthy children were enrolled as the control group. Serum samples were collected from all of the children. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum levels of CGRP, ghrelin, and nesfatin-1 for comparison between the two groups. The scores of clinical symptoms were determined for the children with FD. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of symptom scores with the serum levels of brain-gut peptides.@*RESULTS@#The FD group had significantly higher serum levels of nesfatin-1 and CGRP than the control group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the serum level of ghrelin between the two groups (P>0.05). The serum level of nesfatin-1 was positively correlated with the symptom score of early satiety (rs=0.553, P<0.001), but was not significantly correlated with the total score of FD (rs=0.191, P=0.250). The serum level of CGRP was positively correlated with the scores of abdominal pain (rs=0.479, P=0.002) and belching (rs=0.619, P<0.001) and the total score of FD (rs=0.541, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#CGRP and nesfatin-1 may play an important role in the pathophysiological process of FD.

Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Vasomotor Symptoms in Rats with Acute Cerebral Infarction Based on Phosphatidylinositol System / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on vasomotor symptoms in rats with acute cerebral infarction, by observing the changes in the expression of factors related to the phosphatidylinositol (PI) system.@*METHODS@#Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups by a random number table: the control group (n=6), the model group (n=18) and the EA group (n=18). The EA group was given EA treatment at Shuigou (GV 26) instantly after modeling with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method, while the model and control groups were not given any treatment. The degrees of neurological deficiency were evaluated using neurological severity scores (NSS) and the brain blood flow was evaluated by a laser scanning confocal microscope. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression levels of G-protein subtype (Gq) and calmodulin (CaM). Competition for protein binding was conducted to detect the expression level of inositol triphosphate (IP3). Thin layer quantitative analysis was conducted to detect the expression level of diacylglycerol (DAG). The expression level of intracellular concentration of free calcium ion ([Ca@*RESULTS@#The NSS of the model group was significantly higher than the control group at 3 and 6 h after MCAO (P<0.01), while the EA group was significantly lower than the model group at 6 h (P<0.01). The cerebral blood flow in the model group was significantly lower than the control group at 1, 3 and 6 h after MCAO (P<0.01), while for the EA group it was remarkably higher than the model group at the same time points (P<0.01). The expressions of Gq, CaM, IP3, DAG and [Ca@*CONCLUSION@#EA treatment at GV 26 can effectively decrease the over-expression of related factors of PI system in rats with acute cerebral infarction, improve cerebral autonomy movement, and alleviate cerebral vascular spasm.

Effects of combined administration of loganin and berberine on bone metabolism in diabetic mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of combined administration of loganin and berberine on bone structure and metabolism in diabetic mice and its potential mechanism.Methods The diabetic ICR mouse model was induced by high fat diet(HFD).After 10 weeks of combined intervention, the effects of loganin and berberine on body weight, body fat rate, blood glucose, blood lipid and serum oxidative stress levels were observed.Bone microstructure was scanned by micro-CT.Biomechanical characteristics of bone were measured by three-point bending test, and material properties were detected by fourier transform infrared(FTIR).The pathological changes were observed by HE and TRAP staining.Protein expressions involved in advanced glycation end products(AGEs)and their receptors(RAGE)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The combined administration of loganin and berberine could significantly inhibit the weight gain, reduce the levels of blood glucose, blood lipid and oxidative stress, as well as improve glucose tolerance.In addition, combined intervention also decreased the expression levels of the proteins involved in AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway, and improved bone microstructure, finally contributing to increasing bone quality in diabetic mice.Conclusions The combination of loganin and berberine could improve bone metabolism in diabetic mice, which may be related to AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Honokiol inhibits IL-1 induced angiogenesis in human lung cancer cell H460 through NF-kB signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of honokiol(HNK)on the angiogenesis of lung cancer cells H460 induced by the tumor inflammatory microenvironment and its possible mechanism.Methods CCK-8 was used to detect the effect of HNK on the proliferation of H460 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs); RT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF); Western blot was used to detect the signaling pathway protein p-IκBα, p-IKKα and NF-κB p65 protein expression.The wound healing test, transwell and tube formation tests were used to detect the inhibition ability of HNK on the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs.Results HNK treated H460 cells for 24, 48, 72 h respectively, and inhibited the proliferation of H460 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner.HNK inhibited the survival of HUVEC cells in a concentration-dependent manner.HNK also reduced the protein and mRNA expression levels of VEGF in H460 cells.Subsequently, HNK concentration-dependently inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα, NF-κB and IKKα in the NF-κB signaling pathway.Wound healing test, Transwell cell migration test and tube formation test showed that H460 conditioned medium treated with HNK had the ability to inhibit the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs.Conclusions HNK reduces the viability and angiogenesis of human lung cancer cells by down-regulation of VEGF via the NF-κB pathway.

Beneficial effects and related mechanism of hawthorn leaves flavonoids on cardiac function in rats with acute myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the effect and related regulatory mechanism of hawthorn leaf flavonoids (FHL) on cardiac function in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Sixty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats (9-week-old, weighing 300-350 g) were used in this study. Ten rats were assigned to sham operation group, and the remaining 50 rats were used to establish the AMI model with coronary artery ligation method, AMI was successfully established in 36 rats. AMI rats were randomly divided into AMI group and FHL low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (n=9 for each group). Rats received intraperitoneal injection (10 ml·kg-1·day-1) with physiological saline and FHL solution with concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 mg/ml, respectively for 4 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was performed at the end of experiments. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end diastolic anterior wall thickness (LAWD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured. Then the rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia, and the left ventricular anterior wall tissue was used for pathological examinations by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Other myocardial tissue was used for in situ terminal transferase labeling (TUNEL) staining, and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was calculated. The myocardial cell apoptosis rate, the mRNA, and protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3β-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glycogen synthetase kinase-3 (GSK3β), cyclin D1 and the protein expressions of p-Akt and p-GSK3β were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot respectively. Results: Compared with sham operation group, the LVEDD and LVEDP of the rats in AMI group and FHL low-, medium-and high-dose groups were increased, and the LAWD and LVEF were reduced (all P<0.05). Compared with AMI group, LVEDD and LVEDP were reduced, and LAWD and LVEF were increased in FHL low-, medium-and high-dose groups (all P<0.05). LVEDD and LVEDP decreased, and LAWD and LVEF increased in proportion to the increase of FHL dose (all P<0.05). LVEDD and LAWD values were similar between FHL low-dose and medium-dose groups (both P>0.05). HE staining results evidenced necrotic myocardial tissue, together with disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the myocardial tissue in AMI group. The myocardial damage of rats in FHL low-, medium-, and high-dose groups was less than that of AMI group. The myocardial fibers were arranged neatly, but there were still partial breaks and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardial tissue and there were scattered islands of normal myocardial tissue in the infarct area of these groups. Among them, myocardial damage was the least in FHL high-dose group. The results of TUNEL staining showed that compared with AMI group, the apoptosis rate of myocardial cells was significantly reduced in FHL low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (all P<0.001), but was still higher than that in sham operation group (all P<0.001). Myocardial cell apoptosis rate decreased in proportion with increasing FHL dose (P<0.05). The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with AMI group, the expression levels of PI3K and cyclin D1 mRNA were significantly upregulated in the myocardial tissue of rats in FHL low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, but still lower than those in sham operation group (all P<0.05), and PI3K and cyclin D1 mRNA expression levels increased with the increase dose of FHL (P<0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with AMI group, the expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt, p-GSK3β, and cyclin D1 were significantly upregulated in the myocardial tissue of rats in FHL low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, but still lower than those in sham operation group (all P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt, p-GSK3β, and cyclin D1 increased in proportion with the increase dose of FHL (all P<0.05). Conclusion: FHL can effectively improve cardiac function in rats with AMI, and the beneficial effects may be partly mediated through activating PI3K/GSK3β/cyclin D1 signaling pathway.

Histone deacetylase 3 promotes innate antiviral immunity through deacetylation of TBK1

TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a core kinase of antiviral pathways, activates the production of interferons (IFNs). It has been reported that deacetylation activates TBK1; however, the precise mechanism still remains to be uncovered. We show here that during the early stage of viral infection, the acetylation of TBK1 was increased, and the acetylation of TBK1 at Lys241 enhanced the recruitment of IRF3 to TBK1. HDAC3 directly deacetylated TBK1 at Lys241 and Lys692, which resulted in the activation of TBK1. Deacetylation at Lys241 and Lys692 was critical for the kinase activity and dimerization of TBK1 respectively. Using knockout cell lines and transgenic mice, we confirmed that a HDAC3 null mutant exhibited enhanced susceptibility to viral challenge via impaired production of type I IFNs. Furthermore, activated TBK1 phosphorylated HDAC3, which promoted the deacetylation activity of HDAC3 and formed a feedback loop. In this study, we illustrated the roles the acetylated and deacetylated forms of TBK1 play in antiviral innate responses and clarified the post-translational modulations involved in the interaction between TBK1 and HDAC3.

Medicinal chemistry strategies in seeking coronavirus inhibitors / 药学学报

The epidemic caused by coronavirus poses a serious threat to human health, but there is no specific drug or vaccine for the treatment of this kind of virus infection. Herein, this article selects typical case studies in recent years and reviews the medicinal chemistry strategies of anti-SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and other coronavirus drugs from the perspective of medicinal chemistry, and tries to provide some clues to current drug research againstSARS-CoV-2.

Multi-targeted therapeutic effects of Huangkui Capsules on insulin resistance and urine microalbumin in early diabetic kidney disease patients / 中国中药杂志

To observe the multi-targeted therapeutic effects of Huangkui Capsules(HKC)on insulin resistance(IR)and urine microalbumin in the early diabetic kidney disease(DKD)patients. The case data from the 83 DKD patients at G2 and A2 stage were collected respectively and analyzed retrospectively. According to the different treatment,all patients were divided into the control(A)group(40 cases)and the treated(B)group(43 cases). Among them,the A group patients were received "routine basic treatment";the B group patients were received "routine basic treatment+HKC". For the 2 group patients,firstly,the baseline parameters before receiving the treatment were compared respectively,and then,the changes of the total scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes and the indicators of IR,urine protein,renal function,blood lipids and safety after receiving the treatment for 8 weeks were compared,respectively. Furthermore,for the all patients,the correlation analysis between IR and urine protein or IR and the total scores of TCM syndromes was carried out,respectively. The results showed that,for the B group patients received "routine basic treatment",their total scores of TCM syndromes,urine protein indicators including urine microalbumin(micro-UAlb) and urine microalbumin/urinary creatinine(UACR),IR indicators including fasting serum insulin(FIN)and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)were significantly improved,respectively. For the all DKD patients,before and after the treatment,the main IR indicators(FIN and HOMA-IR)were positively correlated with urine protein indicators(micro-UAlb and UACR). The main IR indicators(FIN and HOMA-IR) were also positively correlated with the total scores of TCM syndromes. In addition,2 treatments had no significant effects on renal function,blood lipids and safety indicators in the all DKD patients. Overall, "routine basic treatment+HKC" can ameliorate IR and reduce urine microalbumin in the early DKD patients. Its therapeutic targets may be not only proteinuria,but also IR,which is the upstream risk factor of proteinuria.

Evaluation of screening accuracy on osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians and its cut-off value in healthy physical examination population / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the screening value of osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) and the optimal cut-off value in Chinese healthy physical examination population.@*METHODS@#We selected a healthy physical examination population for bone mineral density screening at the Health Examination Center in Peking University Third Hospital from 2013 to 2016. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) results were used as the gold standard, and T value ≤-2.5 was defined as osteoporosis patients. Diagnostic test methods were used to analyze the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and area under curve (AUC) of different cut points of OSTA. The screening accuracy of OSTA at different cut points was compared and the optimal cut-point value determined.@*RESULTS@#A total of 5 833 subjects were included in the study, with an average age of (48.3±17.5) years and 2 594 women (44.5%). The QUS test showed 403 patients with osteoporosis (6.9% of the total population), 343 female osteoporosis patients (13.22% of the female population). In the whole age group, AUC at the international routine cut-off value (OSTA ≤-1) screening for osteoporosis was 0.815 (95%CI: 0.804-0.825), and screening accuracy was higher in the women (AUC=0.837, 95%CI: 0.823-0.851) than that in the men (AUC=0.767, 95%CI: 0.752-0.781; P<0.05). In the whole age group, when the optimal cut-off value was 0, its AUC 0.842 (95%CI: 0.832-0.851) was significantly higher than that when the cut-off value was -1 (P<0.01), and net reclassification improvement (NRI) increased by 5.5%. In the 40 to 65-year-old group, when OSTA cut-off value ≤0, the screening accuracy was significantly higher (NRI=19.5%, P=0.003) than that when it was -1.@*CONCLUSION@#The OSTA screening tool had good osteoporosis screening value in healthy people, and the screening accuracy in women is higher than that in men. Increasing the screening cut-off value of OSTA would be helpful to improve the screening accuracy in the whole and 40 to 65-year-old population. There may be different optimal cut-off values for different age group population.

The progress in the development of HIV inhibitors targeting protein-protein interactions / 药学学报

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) plays an important role in many steps of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) life cycle. Targeting these protein-protein interactions, especially the interaction between the virus with host cells, can provide new insights into the development of HIV inhibitors with novel mechanisms of action. Herein, we review the latest discoveries of PPI inhibitors based on the mechanisms of action of various protein-protein interactions with specific research examples.

Berberine Induces Cell Apoptosis through Cytochrome C/Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/Caspase-3 and Apoptosis Inducing Factor Pathway in Mouse Insulinoma Cells / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate apoptotic effects of berberine, a significant alkaloids component existing in Rhizoma coptidis, and its possible acting mechanism in insulinoma cells.@*METHODS@#Different concentrations of berberine were used to treat mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells for various period of time. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed using methylthiazolyldiphenvl-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Changes in the relating pro- and anti-apoptosis proteins were detected by western-blotting.@*RESULTS@#The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of berberine was 5.7 μmol/L on MIN6 cells viability for 16 h. Berberine caused a 20% reduction (P<0.05) in cell number after only 4-h incubation; which reached 50% after 24 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment for 16 h significantly increased the level of DNA fragmentation. The flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate increased 2.9- and 4.6-fold after treating with berberine (5 μmol/L) for 8 and 16 h, while 3- and 8.7-fold after 10 μmol/L treatment for 8 and 16 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment dramatically elevated the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Meanwhile, berberine notably increased the apoptosis-inducing factors and cytochrome C transforming from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was subsequently activated after cytochrome C release. Furthermore, caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase were also activated to trigger apoptosis cascade.@*CONCLUSION@#High concentration (5 and 10 μmol/L) of berberine could induce the apoptosis of MIN6 cells through cytochrome C/Apaf-1/caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) pathway.

Acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique for the treatment of elderly paitents with knee osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical effect of acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly.@*METHODS@#From March 2015 to February 2016, 76 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis were treated with tibial osteotomy acupoint puncture grouop and Ilizarov technique anatomical puncture group, including 24 males and 52 females, aged 56 to 75 years old with an average of 61.4 years old, and a course of 3 to 17 years with an average of 5.2 years. Among them, 38 cases were treated with external fixation of acupoint puncture needle and 38 cases were treated with external fixation of anatomical puncture needle. Preoperative full-length X-ray of both lower limbs showed tibial varus deformity, narrowing of medial knee joint space and enlargement of lateral knee joint space. The force line of the affected knee and lower limb was moved inward by body surface measurement, and the KSS knee function score was decreased. Symptoms included medial knee pain, flexion and extension, and conservative treatment for more than 2 years.@*RESULTS@#The lower limb force lines of both groups were corrected and the osteotomy ends healed well. No nonunion of osteotomy, inadequate correction of lower limbs or recurrence of deformity were found. Seventy-five patients were followed up for 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. There was no significant difference in knee joint mobility between the two groups before operation and on 6, 12, 24 months after operation(=1.346, >0.05). There were significant difference in KSS pain and total score between the two groups at 3 months after operation, acupoint puncture group was better than anatomical puncture group(0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The acupoint puncture group formed a potential acupuncture effect in the acupoint area by continuously tightening the steel needle on Ilizarov ring external fixator during the post-operative adjustment. Within three months after wearing external fixator, the knee pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis were relieved rapidly, continuously and effectively, which was significantly better than that of the anatomical puncture group.

Diagnosis and treatment of the critically ill caused by respiratory tract virus infection in children / 中国实用儿科杂志

Viral lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs)are common causes of critical illness in children. Recent advances in viral detection techniques over the past decade have demonstrated the rates of morbidity,mortality,and medical burden of LRTIs caused by viruses are comparable to those of bacterial communityacquired and nosocomial pneumonias. In the paper,it described the relationship between viral LRTIs and critical illness,and discuss relevant clinical features and management strategies of the more prevalent respiratory viral pathogens. Early diagnostic and treatment strategies are required to effectively treat these infections and prevent complications.

Therapeutic effects of garlic in cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease / 中国天然药物

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a widely known medicinal plant, potential of which remains to be fully evaluated. Its wide-range beneficial effects appear to be relevant for treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and related diseases. It is generally believed that garlic-based preparations are able to improve lipid profile in humans, inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, suppress low density lipoprotein oxidation, modulate blood pressure, suppress platelet aggregation, lower plasma fibrinogen level and increase fibrinolytic activity, thus providing clinically relevant cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerotic effects. It is important to assess the level of evidence available for different protective effects of garlic and to understand the underlying mechanisms. This information will allow adequate integration of garlic-based preparations to clinical practice. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of anti-atherosclerotic effects of garlic preparations, focusing on antihyperlipidemic, hypotensive, anti-platelet and direct anti-atherosclerotic activities of the medicinal plant. We also provide an overview of available meta-analyses and a number of clinical trials that assess the beneficial effects of garlic.

Pathomechanisms of pericyte-myofibroblast transition in kidney and interventional effects of Chinese herbal medicine / 中国中药杂志

In the kidney, pericyte is the major source of myofibroblast (MyoF) in renal interstitium. It is reported that pericyte-myofibroblast transition（PMT）is one of the important pathomechanisms of renal interstitial fibrosis（RIF）. Among them, the main reasons for promoting RIF formation include pericyte recruitment, activation and isolation, as well as the lack of pericyte-derived erythropoietin. During the PMT startup process, pericyte activation and its separation from microvessels are controlled by multiple signal transduction pathways, such as transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β）pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) pathway and platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) pathway;Blocking of these signaling pathways can not only inhibit PMT, but also suppress renal capillaries reduction and further alleviate RIF. In clinic, many traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions, single traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and their extracts have the clear effects in alleviating RIF, and some of their intervention actions may be related to pericyte and its PMT. Therefore, the studies on PMT and its drug intervention will become the main development direction in the research field of anti-organ fibrosis by CHM.