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ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Shengmaisan granules on myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome by cardiac magnetic resonance （CMR） imaging and serological indicators. MethodSixty-six chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to January 2023 were selected. The patients were assigned into a control group （33 cases） and an observation group （33 cases） by the minimization random method. Both groups received standardized Western medicine treatment for heart failure. In addition， the control group was treated with placebo granules， and the observation group with Shengmaisan granules for a course of 6 months. The baseline data， clinical efficacy， TCM symptom scores， serological indicators ［high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein （sST2）， pro-collagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-11， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）］， echocardiography ［Left atrial diameter （LAD）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVEDs）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDd）］ and CMR indicators ［left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， myocardial extracellular volume fraction （ECV）， and longitudinal relaxation time （T1）］ were compared between the two groups. ResultFinally， 31 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the observation group were included. There was no significant difference in baseline data or indicators between the two groups before treatment. Compared with those before treatment， the scores of TCM symptoms （shortness of breath， fatigue， palpitations， spontaneous or night sweats， thirst/dry throat， feverish feeling in palms and soles， and edema in lower limbs）， total score of TCM symptoms， ECV， T1， inflammation/fibrosis indicators （hs-CRP， sST2， PⅢNP， IL-6， IL-11， and TGF-β1） in observation group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles）， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators in the control group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group had lower scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles and edema in lower limbs）， ECV， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% （28/30）， which was higher than that （80.65%， 25/31） in the control group （Z=2.976， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups during treatment. ConclusionFor patients with chronic heart failure with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome， Shengmaisan Granules can alleviate the TCM symptoms， reduce inflammation， and inhibit myocardial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/IL-11 signaling axis.
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Objective This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of aqueous extracts of Ullucus tuberosus (U. tuberosus) using in vitro models. Methods Lyophilized pulp and acetone extracts of U. tuberosus were produced using ultrasound extraction. The capacity for collagenase activation was evaluated using fluorescence detection of the enzymatic activity. Then, the influence of U. tuberosus extracts on cell proliferation, cell migration and synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and pro-collagen was analyzed using human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Results An increase in collagenase activity of 12% supports the utility of U. tuberosus as an agent for scar treatment. In addition, the extracts showed an increase in the proliferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and the production of pro-collagen and MMP-1 after treatment with U. tuberosus extracts. The increase in proliferation, migration and pro-collagen levels positively influenced the regeneration of scarless tissue during the proliferation phase, whereas the increase in MMP-1 may have favored the wound healing process during the remodeling and cellular differentiation phases. Conclusion The results of this study show for first time that U. tuberosus is a promising candidate to support scarless tissue regeneration.
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Objective: This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of aqueous extracts of Ullucus tuberosus (U. tuberosus) using in vitro models. Methods: Lyophilized pulp and acetone extracts of U. tuberosus were produced using ultrasound extraction. The capacity for collagenase activation was evaluated using fluo-rescence detection of the enzymatic activity. Then, the influence of U. tuberosus extracts on cell proliferation, cell migration and synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and pro-collagen was analyzed using human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Results: An increase in collagenase activity of 12%supports the utility of U. tuberosus as an agent for scar treatment. In addition, the extracts showed an increase in the pro-liferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and the production of pro-collagen and MMP-1 after treatment with U. tuberosus extracts. The increase in proliferation, migration and pro-collagen levels positively influenced the regeneration of scarless tissue during the proliferation phase, whereas the increase in MMP-1 may have favored the wound healing process during the remodeling and cellular differentiation phases. Conclusion: The results of this study show for first time that U. tuberosus is a promising candidate to support scarless tissue regeneration.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of close-to-bone needling (CBN) on the expressions of type-Ⅱcollagen, pro-collagen type Ⅱ C-terminal propeptide (PⅡCP) and C-telopeptide of type Ⅱ collagen (CTX-Ⅱ) in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Among 40 New Zealand rabbits, 10 rabbits were selected into a normal group; the remaining 30 rabbits were made into KOA model, and X-ray was used to evaluate the results of model establishment. After the model was successfully made, the rabbits were randomly divided into a model group, a CBN group and a regular acupuncture group, ten rabbits in each one.Rabbits in the CBN group and the regular acupuncture group were treated at "Neixiyan" (EX-LE 4), "Dubi" (ST 35), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Liangqiu" (ST 34). The CBN group applied CBN, and the depth of needling was appropriate with needles reaching bone; the regular acupuncture group applied regular acupuncture. The electroacupuncture(EA) device was used in the two groups, 20 min per treatment, once a day.Five days of treatment were taken as one course, and totally 4 courses were given with an interval of 2 days between courses. The normal group received identical fixation as model group. After treatment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to perform imaging observation on knee; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the cell structure of knee joint cartilage;HE staining was used to observe the pathological change of knee; TUNEL was used to observe the apoptotic index; the expressions of type-Ⅱ collagen proteins and mRNA were measured by Western-blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); the serum PⅡCP and CTX-Ⅱ levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, compared with the model group, in the CBN group and regular acupuncture group the articular cavity effusion was reduced without the subchondral bone edema; the cell structure of knee joint cartilage was regular with less apoptosis; the expressions of type-Ⅱ collagen proteins and mRNA were significantly increased (all<0.05), the PⅡCP levels were significantly increased (both<0.05), but the CTX-Ⅱ levels were significantly decreased (both<0.05).The differences of the expressions of type-Ⅱ collagen proteins and mRNA, the levels of PⅡCP and CTX-Ⅱ between the CBN group and the regular acupuncture group were significant (all<0.05); the differences between the CBN group and the normal group were non-significant (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CBN can significantly improve the pathological status of cartilage of KOA, reduce apoptosis, and is likely to regulate the expressions of PⅡCP and CTX-Ⅱ to promote the type-Ⅱ collagen, which is superior to regular acupuncture.</p>
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Objective: To investigate the effect of medication on left ventricular myocardial matrix remodeling in neuroendocrine hypertensive rats and the mechanism and inhibitive method thereof. Methods: A neuroendocrine hypertensive model was established with adult Wistar rat. A total of 34 rats were randomly divided into four groups: parzosin (Hα), cilazapril (Hace), pentoxifylline(Hptx) and hypertensive control group(Hc). Ten normal-tensive Wistar rats were used as normal control (Nc). The systemic blood pressure, serum procollagen type Ⅲ level, serum TNF-α level, collagen volume fraction(CVF) were detected. Results: In Hace group, systolic pressure, left ventricular weight, the levels of serum procollagen type III and TNF-α were all reduced obviously compared to those in Hc group(P < 0.05). In Hα group, the systolic pressure and left ventricular weight were reduced obviously compared to those in Hc group(P < 0.05), however, the levels of serum procollagen type III and TNF-α were higher than those of Nc group(P < 0.05). In group Hptx, the systolic pressure and left ventricular weight were not decreased, while the levels of serum procollagen typeⅢ,TNF-α and CVF were reduced to normal levels. Conclusion:The angiotensin coverting enzyme inhibitor is the effective agent to reverse myocardial fibrosis, which can be achieved mostly by the inhibition of AngⅡ. Pentoxifylline may inhibit and reverse myocardial fibrosis which correlated with inhibiting TNF-α.