Mechanism of action of Balanophora involucrata polyphenolic compounds in the treatment of myocardial injury based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques

The objective of this work was to investigate the mechanism of action of Balanophora involucrata polyphenolic compounds in the treatment of myocardial injury.In the present study,Balanophora involucrata was extracted by refluxing 75%of ethanol.The obtained extract was extracted with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and n-butanol respectively.And the ethyl acetate layer was separated.The extract was prepared by silica gel column chromatography,sephadex LH-20 elution and thin layer chromatography.After that,the Swiss target prediction database was utilized to obtain the targets of Balanophora involucrata,and the Genecards,OMIM and TTD databases were used to predict and screen the targets of Balanophora involucrata for the treatment of myocardial injury.The active ingredient-target network was constructed using Cytoscape software,and the PPI network was mapped using String database and Cytoscape software.GO bioprocess enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed by Metascape software to predict the mechanism of action.Molecular docking was performed in Discovery Studio 2016 client software to verify the binding of Balanophora involucrata polyphenols to key targets.In this study,six polyphenolic compounds were isolated from Balanophora involucrata.By GO enrichment analysis,1614 biological processes(BP),127 cellular compositions(CC),and 215 molecular functions(MF)were obtained;a total of 155 cross-targets were involved in the KEGG enrichment analysis.The PPI network showed that quercetin was the main active component of polyphenolic compounds against myocardial injury and that AKT1,EGFR,STAT3,SRC,ESR1,MMP9,HSP90AA1 and other related signals were associated with myocardial injury treatment.Finally,the multi-component-multi-target-multi-pathway action of Balanophora involucrata was concluded,which provided new ideas and methods for further research on the mechanism of action of Balanophora involucrata in myocardial injury.

L-carvone attenuates myocardial injury and dyslipidemia in rats with isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Objective:To explore the therapeutic efficacy of L-carvone from Mentha spicata L.leaf extracts against isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.Methods:Isoproterenol(5 mg/kg)was injected intraperitoneally into rats for one month to induce cardiac hypertrophy.L-carvone(25 and 100 mg/kg)was administered orally to treat cardiac hypertrophy.The cardioprotective activity of L-carvone was evaluated by electrocardiogram,histopathological analysis as well as determination of biochemical parameters and enzymatic markers.Results:L-carvone from Mentha spicata L.at 25 and 100 mg/kg ameliorated isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy,as evidenced by reduced QRS interval on electrocardiogram,and decreased heart weight and heart index.In addition,both doses of L-carvone markedly lowered the levels of glucose,total protein,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase,lactate dehydrogenase,creatine kinase MB,troponin-Ⅰ,N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipase level(P<0.05).Moreover,L-carvone alleviated contraction band necrosis,and reorganized the myofibrils with normal striations and myocytes as well as normal nuclei in cardiac histoarchitecture of rats with isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy.Conclusions:L-carvone from Mentha spicata L.leaf extract can restore abnormal cardiac function and may be further explored as a therapeutic agent against the deleterious effects of cardiac hypertrophy after further evaluation.

Effects of Continuous Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring on Intraoperative Hemodynamics and Postoperative Myocardial Injury in Craniotomy:Comparison Between Groups Based on Self-Control and Propensity Score Matching

Objective:To explore the effect of continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative myocardial injury in craniotomy.Methods:120 cases of elective craniotomy were divided into the self-control group(continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring and intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure monitoring,CNAP group)and propensity score matching group(only intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure measurement in previous craniotomy,PSM group);Goal-directed hemodynamic management in CNAP group included heart rate(HR),blood pressure(BP),stroke volume(SV),stroke variability(SVV),and systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI).The main index is to compare the troponin level within 72 hours after operation between the CNAP group and the PSM group;The secondary indicators are the comparison of the hemodynamic conditions between the CNAP group and the PSM at 10 specific time points.Results:The incidence of postoperative myocardial injury in the CNAP group was significantly lower than that in the PSM group(12%vs.30%,P=0.01);in the CNAP group hypotensive episodes(6 vs.3,P=0.01),positive balance of fluid therapy(700 vs.500 mL,P<0.001),more use of vasoactive drugs(29 vs.18,P=0.04),more stable hemodynamics medical status(P=0.03)were recorded.Conclusion:The hemodynamic management strategy based on continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring can reduce the incidence of myocardial injury after elective craniotomy and maintain a more stable hemodynamic state.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of minor elevated cardiac troponin levels for percutaneous coronary intervention-related myocardial injury:a prospective,single-center and double-blind study

Cardiac troponin-I （cTnI） and -T （cTnT） are sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury. However, the role of increased cTnI and cTnT in percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）-related myocardial injury remains controversial. In this prospective, single-center and double-blind study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of cTnI as well as cTnT （cTns） in PCI-related myocardial injury in a Chinese population. A total of 1,008 patients with stable angina pectoris and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were recruited. The levels of cTnI and cTnT were examined before and after PCI. All patients were followed up for 26± 9 months to observe the incidence of major adverse cardiac events （MACEs）. Our results showed that post- PCI cTnI and/or cTnT levels were increased to more than the 99^th percentile upper reference limit （URL） in 133 （13.2%） patients, among which 22 （2.2%） were more than 5 × 99^th percentile URL. By univariate analysis, an elevation in cTns after PCI was not an independent predictor of increased MACEs, HR 1.35 （P = 0.33, 95% CI： 0.74-2.46）. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the incidence of PCI-related myocardial injury is not common in a Chinese population and minor elevated cTns levels may not be a sensitive prognostic marker for MACEs.

Abdominal paracentesis drainage ameliorates myocardial injury in severe experimental pancreatitis rats through suppressing oxidative stress

BACKGROUND Abdominal paracentesis drainage(APD)is a safe and effective strategy for severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)patients.However,the effects of APD treatment on SAPassociated cardiac injury remain unknown.AIM To investigate the protective effects of APD on SAP-associated cardiac injury and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS SAP was induced by 5%sodium taurocholate retrograde injection in Sprague-Dawley rats.APD was performed by inserting a drainage tube with a vacuum ball into the lower right abdomen of the rats immediately after SAP induction.Morphological staining,serum amylase and inflammatory mediators,serum and ascites high mobility group box(HMGB)1,cardiac-related enzymes indexes and cardiac function,oxidative stress markers and apoptosis and associated proteins were assessed in the myocardium in SAP rats.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity and mRNA and protein expression were also examined.RESULTS APD treatment improved cardiac morphological changes,inhibited cardiac dysfunction,decreased cardiac enzymes and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis,proapoptotic Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels.APD significantly decreased serum levels of HMGB1,inhibited nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase expression and ultimately alleviated cardiac oxidative injury.Furthermore,the activation of cardiac nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase by pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid intraperitoneal injection was effectively inhibited by adding anti-HMGB1 neutralizing antibody in rats with mild acute pancreatitis.CONCLUSION APD treatment could exert cardioprotective effects on SAP-associated cardiac injury through suppressing HMGB1-mediated oxidative stress,which may be a novel mechanism behind the effectiveness of APD on SAP.

Cardioprotective effect of erythropoietin on sepsisinduced myocardial injury in rats

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-induced myocardial injury is one of the major predictors of morbidity and mortality of sepsis.The cytoprotective function of erythropoietin(EPO) has been discovered and extensively studied.However,the cardioprotective effects of EPO on sepsis-induced myocardial injury in the rat sepsis model has not been reported.METHODS:The rat models of sepsis were produced by cecal ligation and perforation(CLP)surgery.Rats were randomly(random number) assigned to one of three groups(n=8 for each group):sham group,CLP group and EPO group(1000 lU/kg erythropoietin).Arterial blood was withdrawn at3,6,12,and 24 hours after CLP.cTnl,BNP,CK-MB,LDH,AST,TNF-a,IL-6,IL-10,and CRP were tested by the ELISA assay.Changes of hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 3,6,12,24 hours after the surgery.Histological diagnosis was made by hematoxylin and eosin.Flow cytometry was performed to examine cell apoptosis,myocardium mitochondrial inner membrane potential,and NF-κB(p65).Survival rate at 7 days after CLP was recorded.RESULTS:In the CLP group,myocardial enzyme index and inflammatory index increased at3,6,12 and 24 hours after CLP compared with the sham group,and EPO significantly blocked the increase.Compared with the CLP group,EPO significantly improved LVSP,LV +dpldt_(max) LV-dp/dt_(min),and decreased LVEDP at different time.EPO blocked the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential,suppressed the cardiomyocyte apoptosis,inhibited the activation of NF-κB,and reduced the production of proinflmmatory cytokines.No difference in the survival rate at 7 days was observed between the CLP group and the EPO group.CONCLUSION:Exogenous EPO has cardioprotective effects on sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

Effects and mechanisms of glucose-insulin-potassium on post-procedural myocardial injury after percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective To evaluate the effects and mechanisms of glucose-insulin-potassium(GIK)on post-procedural myocardial injury(PMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 200 non-diabetic patients with documented coronary heart disease(CHD)were divided into the Group GIK and Group G,with 100 patients in each group.Patients in Group G were given intravenous infusion of glucose solution 2 hours before PCI.As compared,patients in Group GIK were given GIK.Results Both post-procedural creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB;62.1±47.8 vs.48.8±52.6 U/L,P=0.007)and cTnI(0.68±0.83 vs.0.19±0.24 ng/mL,P<0.001)in Group GIK were significantly higher than those in Group G.In Group G,9.0%and 4.0%of patients had post-procedural increases in CK-MB 1-3 times and>3 times,which were significantly lower than those in Group GIK(14.0%and 7.0%,respectively;all P values<0.01);13.0%and 7.0%of patients had post-procedural increases in cTnI 1-3 times and>3 times,which were also significantly lower than those in Group GIK(21.0%and 13.0%,respectively;all P<0.001).Pre-procedural(10.2±4.5 vs.5.1±6.3,P<0.001)and post-procedural rapid blood glucose(RBG)levels(8.9±3.9 vs.5.3±5.6,P<0.001)in Group G were higher than those in Group GIK.In adjusted logistic models,usage of GIK(compared with glucose solution)remained significantly and independently associated with higher risk of post-procedural increases in both CK-MB and cTnI levels>3 times.Furthermore,pre-procedural RBG levels<5.0mmol/L were significantly associated with higher risk of post-procedural increases in both CK-MB and cTnI levels.Conclusions In non-diabetic patients with CHD,the administration of GIK may increase the risk of PMI due to hypoglycemia induced by GIK.

Acute myocardial injury in patients with COVID-19:Possible mechanisms and clinical implications

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection affects not only the lungs,but also the cardiovascular system,having a major impact on patients’outcomes.Myocardial injury(MI)occurs in the context of coronavirus infectious disease 2019(COVID-19)and is associated with a higher risk of severe clinical outcome and mortality.COVID-19-related MI can have various clinical manifestations,of which the main ones are myocarditis,stress cardiomyopathy,acute coronary syndrome,and pulmonary embolism.The exact mechanisms of how MI occurs in these patients are not yet fully known.Direct injury,through direct viral myocardial invasion,and indirect injury,through interaction with angiotensin I converting enzyme 2,increased inflammation,and thrombocyte and endothelial dysfunction,could be involved in acute MI in patients with COVID-19.A better understanding of these multiple potential mechanisms may help to develop new targeted therapeutic strategies.The purpose of this review is to provide the current understanding of the potential mechanisms involved in MI induced by COVID-19 and to discuss the current progress in the therapeutic strategies.

Relationship Between Myocardial Injury and Expression of PGC-1α and Its Coactivators in Chronic Keshan Disease

Objective:Keshan disease(KD)is a mitochondrial cardiomyopathy.The present study explored the roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)-y coactivator-la(PGC-la),the key regulator of mitochondrial structure and function,and its coactivators in myocardial injury in chronic KD.Furthermore,the usefulness of these molecules in the diagnosis of chronic KD was assessed.

Influence of Microcirculatory Dysfunction on Myocardial Injury after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Objective This study aimed to examine the effects of microcirculatory dysfunction and 654-1intervention after cardiopulmonary resuscitation on myocardial injury.Methods Landrace pigs were divided into a sham operation group(S group,n=6),ventricular fibrillation control group(VF-C group,n=8)and 654-1 intervention group(VF-I group,n=8).Hemodynamics was recorded at baseline,at recovery of spontaneous circulation(ROSC),and 1 h,2 h,4h and 6 h thereafter.Sidestream dark field(SDF)technology was used to evaluate and monitor the microcirculation flow index,total vessel density,perfusion vessel ratio,De-Backer score,and perfusion vessel density in animal viscera at various time points.Results After administration of 654-1 at 1.5 h post-ROSC,the hemodynamics in the VF-I group,as compared with the VF-C group,was significantly improved.The visceral microcirculation detected by SDF was also significantly improved in the VF-I group.As observed through electron microscopy,significantly less myocardial tissue injury was present in the VF-I group than the VF-C group.Conclusion Administration of 654-1 inhibited excessive inflammatory by improving the state of visceral microcirculation.

Resveratrol ameliorates diabetic myocardial injury through HSF1-mediated ferroptosis

Objective:To observe the effect of resveratrol on the injury of diabetic cardiomyocytes and its effect on HSF1 mediated iron death.Methods:the diabetic cardiomyopathy model was established by high glucose induced H9c2,and H9c2 was exposed to normal glucose concentration as a control.Then the intervention was performed with the corresponding drugs.The cell proliferation level was detected by CCK8 method,the concentrations of LDH,SOD,MDA and iron ions were detected by kit method,and the expression levels of HSF1,apoptotic proteins(Bax and Bcl-2)and iron death marker proteins(ACSL4,GPX4 and SLC7A11)were detected by Western blot;Results:compared with the blank group,the cell activity,SOD activity,the expression of HSF1,Bcl-2,GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein in the model group decreased significantly,and the LDH activity,MDA content,Bax and ACSL4 protein expression,Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Fe^(2+)content increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the activity of H9c2 cells,the activity of SOD,the expression of HSF1,Bcl-2,GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein increased significantly,and the activity of LDH,the content of MDA,the expression of Bax and ACSL4 protein,the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the content of Fe^(2+)decreased significantly in the resveratrol group(P<0.01).After the intervention,the activity of H9c2 cells,the activity of SOD,the expression of HSF1,Bcl-2,GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein decreased significantly,and the activity of LDH,the content of MDA,the expression of Bax and ACSL4 protein,the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the content of Fe^(2+)increased significantly in si-hsf1 group(P<0.01);Conclusion:resveratrol can inhibit cell iron death and improve high glucose induced cardiomyocyte injury by up regulating the expression of HSF1.

BH3-only protein Bim is involved in myocardial injury induced by co-stress of ischemia and cold stress in rats

Objectives To investigate the effect of co-exposure of myocardial ischemia and cold stress on myocardial injury in rats and the relative mechanism.Methods Myocardial ischemia model was established by ligation of left coronary artery.SD rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups; sham+normal temperature(S group),sham+cold stress(SC group),myocardial ischemia+ normal temperature(Ⅰgroup), myocardial ischemia+cold stress(IC group).On the condition of 26℃,SC and IC groups were keeped in a 4℃artificial chamber for 8h(8;00-16:00) for 4 consecu- tive days.Car diac function was assessed by echocardiography;pathological change was analyzed by HE staining;myocardial infarct size was determined by TTC staining;Bim,Caspase-3 expression in myocardium was determined by western blotting.Results It was demonstrated that co-exposure of myocardial ischemia and cold stress could significantly make the cardiac muscle in abnormal shape,increase the infarct size and the expression of Bim and Caspase-3.Conclusions Co-exposure of myocardial ischemia and cold stress may aggravate the cardiac injury,pro- apoptosis protein Bim is involved.

Melanin nanoparticles alleviate sepsis-induced myocardial injury by suppressing ferroptosis and inflammation

Myocardial injury as one of the severe complications leads to the increasing morbidity and mortality in patients with sepsis.Recent studies reported that reactive oxygen species(ROS)-mediated ferroptosis plays a critical role in the development of heart diseases.Therefore,we hypothesized that anti-ferroptosis agent might be a novel potential therapeutic strategy for sepsis-induced cardiac injury.Herein,we demonstrated that a small biocompatible and MRI-visible melanin nanoparticles(MMPP)improves myocardial function by inhibiting ROS-related ferroptosis signaling pathway.In LPS-induced murine sepsis model,after a single dose intravenously injection of MMPP treatment,MMPP markedly alleviated the myocardial injury including cardiac function and heart structure disorder through suppressing iron-accumulation induced ferroptosis.In vitro,MMPP inhibited cardiomyocyte death by attenuating oxidative stress,inflammation and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.Collectively,our findings demonstrated that MMPP protected heart against sepsis-induced myocardial injury via inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation,which might be a novel therapeutic approach in future.

Liqi Huoxue dripping pill protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway in rats

Background:Liqi Huoxue dripping pill(LQHXDP),a traditional Chinese drug for coronary heart disease,has a protective effect on the heart of rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI)in previous studies;however,its mechanism of action remains unclear.The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective mechanism of LQHXDP on MIRI in rats and its relationship with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Methods:In this study,Sprague-Dawley rats were pre-infused with LQHXDP(175 mg/kg/d)for 10 days.PI3K inhibitor LY294002(0.3 mg/kg)was intravenously injected 15 minutes before ischemia.The rat model of MIRI was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.Subsequently,cardiac hemodynamics,serum myocardial injury markers,inflammatory factors,myocardial infarct size,antioxidant indexes,myocardial histopathology,and phosphorylation levels of key proteins of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were assessed in rats.Results:LQHXDP was found to improve cardiac hemodynamic indexes,reduce serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme activity and cardiac troponin and heart-type fatty acid binding protein levels,lower serum interleukin-1 beta,interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factorαlevels,reduce the myocardial infarct size and enhance the antioxidant capacity of myocardial tissue in MIRI rats.Pathological analysis revealed that LQHXDP attenuated the extent of myocardial injury and protected mitochondria from damage in MIRI rats.Immunoblot analysis revealed that LQHXDP increased the expression levels of p-Akt and p-GSK-3βin MIRI rat cardiomyocytes.PI3K inhibitor LY294002 could impair these effects of LQHXDP.Conclusion:LQHXDP attenuated myocardial injury,attenuated oxidative stress injury and reduced inflammatory response in MIRI rats,and its protective effects were mediated by activating of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3βsignaling pathway.

Myocardial injury and related mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the Omicron pandemic:new perspectives and insights

Myocardial injury is one of the most common comorbidity in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients,and has poor prognosis.However,the incidence of myocardial injury in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been sufficiently investigated during the Omicron wave.We conducted a retrospective study of 2690 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection from Tongji Hospital.The results indicated that the myocardial injury accounted for 30.8%of the total patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and was associated with higher in-hospital mortality than those without injury before and after propensity score matching(PSM)[adjusted hazard ratio(HR),10.61;95%confidence interval(CI),7.76–14.51;P<0.001;adjusted HR,2.70;95%CI,1.86–3.93;P<0.001;respectively].Further,the levels of cytokines(IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-α)in patients with myocardial injury were higher than those without injury,and the higher levels of cytokines in the myocardial injury group were associated with increased mortality.Administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers(ACEI/ARB)could significantly reduce the mortality in patients with myocardial injury(adjusted HR,0.52;95%CI,0.38–0.71;P<0.001).Additionally,the level of angiotensin II increased in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was even higher in myocardial injury group compared to those without injury.Collectively,the study summarized the clinical characteristic and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with myocardial injury during the Omicron wave in China,and validated the protective role of ACEI/ARB in improving the survival of those with myocardial injury.

Moxibustion enables protective effects on rheumatoid arthritis-induced myocardial injury via transforming growth factor beta1 signaling and metabolic reprogramming

OBJECTIVE:To examine the effects of moxibustion on myocardial injury and myocardial metabolomics in rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on the transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway.METHODS:One hundred rats were treated with saline[normal control(NC)group]or complete Freund’s adjuvant(CFA)by right plantar injection for the RA model group,and the latter were randomly divided into 4 groups.Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets(雷公藤多苷片,TPT)have anti-inflammatory and are widely used in the clinical treatment of RA,therefore serving as a positive control group.Three days post injection rats were given TPT tablet(TPT group),acupuncture therapy(APT group),and moxibustion treatment(MOX group)for 15 consecutive days,while NC group and model group were equally grasped and fixed and received normal saline.Rat joint swelling scores and arthritis index(AI)were evaluated in each group before the CFA challenge,therapy and after receiving therapy.Myocardial ultrastructure was observed by electron microscope.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect cardiac troponin I(cTnI)levels in rat myocardial tissue.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were used to measure the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-βsignaling molecules including TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,Smad4,and Smad7.Myocardial metabolomics was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.RESULTS:Compared with model group,RA model rats receiving TPT,acupuncture,or moxibustion therapy all showed reduced joint swelling scores and AI(all P<0.01)and improved myocardial damage,whereas rats treated with moxibustion were found to be more marked.Consistently,the expressions of cTnI,TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,and Smad4 were found to be elevated in model rat group in contrast to NC rats and were significantly downregulated in TPT,APT and MOX group when compared with model group,while the levels of Smad7 showed the opposite result(all P<0.01).Moreover,the dissection of metabolomics suggested a novel metabolite biomarker panel including D-Xylulose 5-phosphate,dihydroxyacetone phosphate,arachidonic acid,etc was defined and implicated in amino acid,glucose,and fatty acid metabolic processes as revealed by principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis.CONCLUSION:Moxibustion prevents RA-induced inflammatory response and offers potent therapeutic effects on myocardial dysfunctions.The protective effects might be associated with its role in TGF-β1 inactivation and metabolic reprogramming.

Network-pharmacology-based research on protective effects and underlying mechanism of Shuxin decoction against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury with diabetes

BACKGROUND Patients with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury(MI/RI).Shuxin decoction(SXT)is a proven recipe modification from the classic herbal formula"Wu-tou-chi-shi-zhi-wan"according to the traditional Chinese medicine theory.It has been successfully used to alleviate secondary MI/RI in patients with diabetes mellitus in the clinical setting.However,the underlying mechanism is still unclear.AIM To further determine the mechanism of SXT in attenuating MI/RI associated with diabetes.METHODS This paper presents an ensemble model combining network pharmacology and biology.The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database was accessed to select key components and potential targets of the SXT.In parallel,therapeutic targets associated with MI/RI in patients with diabetes were screened from various databases including Gene Expression Omnibus,DisGeNet,Genecards,Drugbank,OMIM,and PharmGKB.The potential targets of SXT and the therapeutic targets related to MI/RI in patients with diabetes were intersected and subjected to bioinformatics analysis using the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery.The major results of bioinformatics analysis were subsequently validated by animal experiments.RESULTS According to the hypothesis derived from bioinformatics analysis,SXT could possibly ameliorate lipid metabolism disorders and exert anti-apoptotic effects in MI/RI associated with diabetes by reducing oxidized low density lipoprotein(LDL)and inhibiting the advanced glycation end products(AGE)-receptor for AGE(RAGE)signaling pathway.Subsequent animal experiments confirmed the hypothesis.The treatment with a dose of SXT(2.8 g/kg/d)resulted in a reduction in oxidized LDL,AGEs,and RAGE,and regulated the level of blood lipids.Besides,the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax and cleaved caspase 3 was down-regulated,whereas Bcl-2 expression was up-regulated.The findings indicated that SXT could inhibit myocardial apoptosis and improve cardiac function in MI/RI in diabetic rats.CONCLUSION This study indicated the active components and underlying molecular therapeutic mechanisms of SXT in MI/RI with diabetes.Moreover,animal experiments verified that SXT could regulate the level of blood lipids,alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis,and improve cardiac function through the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway.

Effect of salvianolic acid B-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Background:Currently,no drugs can specifically improve clinical cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury or the prognosis of hemodialysis.Salvianolic acid B(SalB)is a widely used cardiac protectant;however,its clinical application is limited by its low oral bioavailability and poor intestinal absorption.The exploration of its preparation and clinical applications has become a research hotspot in recent years.Methods:To determine whether mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs)efficiently delivered SalB to the heart and SalB@MSNs-RhB reduced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury,we constructed a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion male rat model,hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes,and treated them with SalB@MSNs-RhB.Results:SalB@MSNs-RhB showed improved bioavailability,therapeutic effect,heightened JAK2/STAT3-dependent pro-survival signaling,and antioxidant responses,thereby protecting cardiomyocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.Conclusion:This use of SalB-loaded nanoparticles and investigation of their mechanism of action may provide a new strategy for treating cardiomyocytes.Thus,hypoxia/reoxygenation promotes the clinical application of SalB.

Atorvastatin Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via miR-26a-5p/FOXO1

Purpose: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury exacerbates myocardial cell death (including apoptosis and necrosis), leading to complications such as arrhythmias, myocardial stenosis, microvascular obstruction and heart failure, and it is particularly important to seek new strategies to mitigate reperfusion injury. In this paper, we will investigate whether atorvastatin can alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and verify its molecular mechanism. Methods: We successfully constructed a hypoxia-reperfusion (H/R) H9c2 cell model and transfected miR-26a-5p mimic, miR-26a-5p inhibitor and its negative control NC-mimic or NC-inhibitor into H9c2 cells using a transfection kit. The expression of miR-26a-5p and FOXO1 were detected by RT-qPCR assay, the expression of related proteins by Western blot assay, the cell viability of H9c2 cells by CCK-8 assay, the apoptosis rate of H9c2 cells by flow cytometry, the CK and LDH activity in cells by CK and LDH assay kits. The targeting relationship between miR-26a-5p and FOXO1 was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Results: MiR-26a-5p expression was decreased in H/R-induced cells and FOXO1 expression was increased in H/R-induced cells. Atorvastatin alleviated H/R injury in cardiomyocytes and was most effective at a concentration of 1 μM. Atorvastatin alleviated H/R injury in cardiomyocytes by upregulating miR-26a-5p expression, miR-26a-5p and FOXO1 were negatively regulated by targeting. Conclusion: Atorvastatin can alleviate H/R injury in cardiomyocytes by regulating miR-26a-5p/FOXO1.

Low Selenium and Low Protein Exacerbate Myocardial Damage in Keshan Disease by Affecting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy Pathway

Objective Keshan disease(KD)is a myocardial mitochondrial disease closely related to insufficient selenium(Se)and protein intake.PTEN induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin mediated mitochondrial autophagy regulates various physiological and pathological processes in the body.This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between PINK1/Parkin-regulated mitochondrial autophagy and KD-related myocardial injury.Methods A low Se and low protein animal model was established.One hundred Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(control group,low Se group,low protein group,low Se+low protein group,and corn from KD area group).The JC-1 method was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP).ELISA was used to detect serum creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),and mitochondrial-glutamicoxalacetic transaminase(M-GOT)levels.RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of PINK1,Parkin,sequestome 1(P62),and microtubule-associated proteins1A/1B light chain 3B(MAP1LC3B).Results The MMP was significantly decreased and the activity of CK-MB,cTnI,and M-GOT significantly increased in each experimental group(low Se group,low protein group,low Se+low protein group and corn from KD area group)compared with the control group(P<0.05 for all).The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1,Parkin and MAP1LC3B were profoundly increased,and those of P62 markedly decreased in the experimental groups compared with the control group(P<0.05 for all).Conclusion Low Se and low protein levels exacerbate myocardial damage in KD by affecting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway.