Meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine on chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Databases were used for literature research until 16 December 2022, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Embase. After full-text screening, data were extracted by two researchers independently. The Cochrane ROB tool was applied for quality assessment. The heterogeneity was tested using the Chi-squared-based Q statistic test and the I2 statistic. RESULTS: The findings revealed that the use of TCM significantly improved the total effective rate (pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.15, 1.57]), reduced the serum creatinine (SCr) level (pooled mean difference (MD) = -0.11, 95% CI = [-0.20, -0.03]), and increased the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, pooled MD = 3.76, 95% CI = [2.66, 4.87]) in patients with CKD, compared with non-TCM treatment. Meanwhile, TCM performed better effect on 24-h proteinuria (pooled MD = 0.17, 95% CI = [0.04, 0.31]) than non-TCM. No significant difference in the incidence of adverse events was found between TCM and non-TCM treatment (pooled OR = 0.63, 95% CI = [0.32, 1.24]). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the stability of the pooled estimates. CONCLUSION: TCM has the advantage over non-TCM treatment and is worth popularizing and applying in the prevention and cure of CKD. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021279281.

Efficacy of the combination of Chinese herbal medicine and negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A meta-analysis.

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine combined with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Computerised searches of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were conducted for randomised controlled trials on the use of Chinese herbal medicines combined with NPWT for the treatment of DFU. The search period ranged from the time of establishment of each database to July 2023. Literature screening and data extraction were performed independently by two investigators, and the quality of the included studies was assessed. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. A total of 25 studies were analysed, including 1777 DFUs, with 890 and 887 patients in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The results showed that the treatment of DFUs with a Chinese herbal medicine in combination with NPWT increased the overall effectiveness (odds ratio [OR] = 4.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.96-6.30, p < 0.001), wound healing rate (mean difference [MD] = 18.35, 95% CI: 13.07-23.64, p < 0.001) and ankle brachial index (MD = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.06-0.14, p < 0.001); reduced the wound healing time (MD = -11.01, 95% CI: -13.25 to -8.78, p < 0.001) and post-treatment wound area (MD = -1.73, 95% CI: -2.46 to -1.01, p < 0.001); decreased the C-reactive protein level (MD = -3.57, 95% CI: -5.13 to -2.00, p < 0.001); and increased vascular endothelial growth factor level (MD = 19.20, 95% CI: 8.36-30.05, p < 0.001). Thus, Chinese herbal medicines combined with NPWT can effectively promote wound healing, reduce inflammation and shorten the disease course in patients with DFU, while demonstrating precise clinical efficacy.

Changes in key aroma-active compounds and sensory characteristics of sunflower oils induced by seed roasting.

This study investigated the changes in aroma composition and perception of sunflower oils induced by seed roasting using sensory-oriented flavor analysis. Volatile compounds were extracted by solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and headspace solid-phase microextraction. Odorants were characterized by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry and aroma extract dilution analysis. The cold-pressed and roasted sunflower oils contained 13 and 50 odorants, respectively, with the flavor dilution factors between 1 and 256. Fifty-six odorants were newly identified in sunflower oils. Quantification of 26 important odorants by the external standard method revealed apparent changes induced by seed roasting in loss of terpenes, formation of Maillard reaction products, and the increase in lipid oxidation products. The most important odorants (odor active values, OAVs = 1-1857) in the cold-pressed sunflower oil included α-pinene (11,145 µg/kg), ß-pinene (4068 µg/kg), linalool (56 µg/kg), hexanal (541 µg/kg), octanal (125 µg/kg), α-phellandrene (36 µg/kg), and (E)-2-octenal (69 µg/kg), contributing to the raw sunflower seed, woody, green, earthy, and sweet aromas of the oil. The most important contributors (OAVs = 1-884) to the roasted, smoky, and burnt aromas of the roasted sunflower oil were 2- and 3-methylbutanal (6726 and 714 µg/kg), 2,6-dimethylpyrazine (2329 µg/kg), 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (12,228 µg/kg), 2,3-dimethylpyrazine (238 µg/kg), 2,3-pentanedione (1456 µg/kg), 2-pentylfuran (1332 µg/kg), 2,3-dimethyl-5-ethylpyrazine (213 µg/kg), and 1-pentanol (693 µg/kg). Aroma recombination of the key odorants in odorless sunflower oil adequately mimicked the general aroma profiles of sunflower oils. This study provides an important foundation for understanding the relationship between oil processing and aroma molecules of sunflower oils. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The clear changes observed in the composition and concentrations of key aroma compounds explained the changes in sensory characteristics of sunflower seed oils induced by seed roasting on a molecular basis. Characterizing the key aroma-active composition of sunflower oil and investigating its relationship with oil processing could provide important practical applications for the sunflower oil industry in flavor regulation, quality control, product development, and process optimization.

[Effect of the small needle knife through the Zusanli(ST 36) on behavior and hippocampal expression of NLRP3 and IL-1ß in myalgia comorbid depressed rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of the small needle knife through the Zusanli(ST 36) on behavior and hippocampal expression of NLRP3 and IL-1ß in myalgia comorbid depressed rats. METHODS: The rat models of myalgia comorbid depression were prepared by intraperitoneal injection of acute reserpine. Twenty-four SD male rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, small needle knife group and amitriptyline group, 6 rats in each group. The open field behavior and mechanical pain threshold of each group were detected. The thermal pain threshold was detected by intelligent hot plate test. The expression of NLRP3 and IL-1ß in hippocampus of rats was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the mechanical pain threshold of the foot was significantly improved in the small needle knife group (P<0.01). Compared with the amitriptyline group, the small needle knife stimulation of Zusanli(ST 36) can significantly increase the thermal pain threshold in rats(P<0.05); in the comparison of the horizontal movement distance and the number of crossings in the open field behavioral rats, the total distance of the open field activity of the small needle knife group was significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of crossings in the small needle knife group had no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). The expressions of NLRP3 and IL-1ß in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05), and the expression of IL-1ß in the small needle knife group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The stimulation of small needle knife at Zusanli(ST 36) could inhibit the expression of NLRP3 in hippocampus of rats. However, there was no statistically significant difference compared with the model group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Small needle knife can improve the pathological state of myalgia comorbid depression caused by reserpine in rats. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1ß expression in central hippocampus.

Experimental study on malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by glycidyl methacrylate and analysis on its methylation.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the model of human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) malignant transformation induced by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and define the different methylation genes at different stages. METHODS: DNA was extracted at different 16HBE malignant phases and changes of genes DNA methylation at different stages were detected using Methylation chip of 'NimbleGen HG18 CpG Promoter Microarray Methylation'. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to observe the methylation status of some genes, and then compared with the control groups. RESULTS: The result showed that GMA induced 16HBE morphorlogical transformation at the dose of 8 µg/mL, and cell exposed to GMA had 1374 genes in protophase, 825 genes in metaphase, 1149 genes in anaphase, respectively; 30 genes are all methylation in the 3 stages; 318 genes in protophase but not in metaphase and anaphase; 272 genes in metaphase but not in protophase and anaphase; 683 genes in anaphase but not in metaphase and protophase; 73 genes in protophase and metaphase but not in anaphase; 67 genes in protophase and anaphase but not in metaphase; 59 genes in metaphase and anaphase but not in protophase. CONCLUSION: The pattern of DNA methylation could change in the process of 16HBE induced by GMA.

[Method for determining brodifacoum in workplace air by high-performance liquid chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determining brodifacoum in workplace air by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). METHODS: Brodifacoum in workplace air was collected with a polytetrafluoroethylene filter and desorbed by mixed solution of methanol and dichloromethane (20:80, V:V), and was then separated using an ODS column and determined by an ultraviolet detector; retention time was used for identification, and peak area was used for quantification. RESULTS: The concentration of brodifacoum showed a linear relationship with peak area within 0.2∼10.0 µg/ml; the elution efficiency was 91.6%∼95.1%; the detection limit was 0.08 µg/ml (injection volume: 20 µl eluate); the minimum detectable concentration was 0.000 67 mg/m(3) (calculated by 240 L air sample). CONCLUSION: This HPLC method is convenient and simple for air collection and sample preparation and meets the methodological requirements. Therefore, this method can be used for the determination of brodifacoum in workplace air.

[Methylation status of P16 gene during malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by glycidyl methacrylate].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the methylation status of P16 gene at the different stages of malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) induced by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and to explore the DNA methylation mechanisms. METHODS: The cells exposed to GMA were harvested at the end of exposure (early stage), the 10th generation (protophase) and the 30th generation (anaphase), respectively. The methylation status of P16 promotor was detected by Methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The transformed 16HBE cells were compared with the normal 16HBE cells and the cells exposed to DMSO for methylation status. RESULTS: At the early stage and protophase stage, the non-methylation status in P16 gene promotor of the normal 16HBE cells and the cells exposed to DMSO appeared, the methylation status in P16 gene promotor of the 16HBE cells exposed to GMA was detected to some extension. At the anaphase stage, the methylation status in P16 gene promotor of the 16HBE cells exposed to GMA or DMSO was detected to some extension. CONCLUSION: Methylation status of P16 gene promoter was specific at the early stage and protophase stage of malignant transforming in 16HBE cells induced by GMA, which can serve as an early sensitive biological indicator for malignant transforming in 16HBE cells induced by GMA.

[Determination of brodifacoum in rat plasma by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: A determination method of brodifacoum in rat plasma with bromadiolone as an internal standard was developed. METHODS: A volume of 10 microl internal standard (bromadiolone) was added into rat plasma, and then extracted by 0.5 ml of acetonitrile by shaking for 2 min. The residue was dissolved with 200 microl of mobile phase after centrifugation for 10 min, and evaporation to dryness by Nitrogen blowing. A C18 column and PDA detector were used for separating and detecting. The wavelength was 254 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and the injection volume was 20 microl. RESULTS: The liner range was 1.0-20 microg/ml, and the correlation coefficient was 0.9992. The detection limit was 0.3 microg/ml in plasma (S/N=3). The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 1.89%-2.45% and 2.51%-3.61% respectively. The recoveries in plasma at levels of low, middle and high concentrations were (80.8 +/- 3.1)%, (81.8 +/- 2.7)% and (87.9 +/- 3.6)% (n=6), respectively. The accuracies were 84.1%-91.5% and 86.7%-93.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This method is simple, fast and accurate for the determination of brodifacoum in rat plasma.