Distinct molecular targets of ProEGCG from EGCG and superior inhibition of angiogenesis signaling pathways for treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disease with endometrial cell implantation outside the uterus.Angiogenesis is a major pathophysiology in endometriosis.Our previous studies have demonstrated that the prodrug of epigallocatechin gallate(ProEGCG)exhibits superior anti-endometriotic and anti-angiogenic effects compared to epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG).However,their direct binding targets and underlying mechanisms for the differential effects remain unknown.In this study,we demonstrated that oral ProEGCG can be effective in preventing and treating endometriosis.Additionally,1D and 2D Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration assay-based chemical proteomics identified metadherin(MTDH)and PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase-like(PXK)as novel binding targets of EGCG and ProEGCG,respectively.Computational simulation and BioLayer interferometry were used to confirm their binding affinity.Our results showed that MTDH-EGCG inhibited protein kinase B(Akt)-mediated angiogenesis,while PXK-ProEGCG inhibited epidermal growth factor(EGF)-mediated angiogenesis via the EGF/hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF-1a)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.In vitro and in vivo knockdown assays and microvascular network imaging further confirmed the involvement of these signaling pathways.Moreover,our study demonstrated that ProEGCG has superior therapeutic effects than EGCG by targeting distinct signal transduction pathways and may act as a novel antiangiogenic therapy for endometriosis.

Endometriosis beyond the Pelvis: A Case Series of Cutaneous Endometriosis and Literature Review

Introduction: Cutaneous endometriosis is an uncommon but well-known skin disorder that represents about 0.5% to 1% of all endometriosis. The objective of this case series is to report clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of various forms of cutaneous endometriosis. Material and Methods: It was an observational, retrospective and descriptive review of cases presenting with cutaneous endometriosis among Cameroonian women managed at the gynaecological outpatient department of Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. All the following parameters were analysed: age, parity, previous pelvic surgery, presenting symptoms and duration, associated symptoms, localizations, imaging, size of the lesion, other localization of endometriosis, management and histopathological results. Results: we reported 4 cases of cutaneous endometriosis, with 3 umbilical endometriosis and 1 abdominal scar endometriosis. Patient age ranged from 28 to 39 years with an average of 33 years. All patients described infertility (two primary and two secondary) and two had a history of abdominal surgery. All patients presented local cyclical signs such as pain, swelling, color change and bleeding. The duration of symptoms varied from 2 to 3 years and the size of lesions ranged from 2 to 3.5 cm for umbilical lesions and was 9 cm for abdominal scar endometriosis. In all cases, no imaging was required for the diagnosis, which was suspected on the basis of patient’s history and the cyclical nature of local signs, followed by wide surgical excision and confirmation on histopathology. Conclusion: Cutaneaous endometriosis is a rare benign condition. Umbilical endometriosis seems to be the main cutaneous localization and can be described as primary or secondary. Even if its diagnosis must be confirmed by histopathology, it should be considered in patient with cutaneous cyclic signs such as pain, swelling or bleeding with or without history of abdominal surgery.

Immune pathway through endometriosis to ovarian cancer

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease,defined by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity.This disease is one of the main gynecological diseases,affecting around 10%-15%women and girls of reproductive age,being a common gynecologic disorder.Although endometriosis is a benign disease,it shares several characteristics with invasive cancer.Studies support that it has been linked with an increased chance of developing endometrial ovarian cancer,representing an earlier stage of neoplastic processes.This is particularly true for women with clear cell carcinoma,low-grade serous carcinoma and endometrioid.However,the carcinogenic pathways between both pathologies remain poorly understood.Current studies suggest a connection between endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers(EAOCs)via pathways associated with oxidative stress,inflammation,and hyperestrogenism.This article aims to review current data on the molecular events linked to the development of EAOCs from endometriosis,specifically focusing on the complex relationship between the immune response to endometriosis and cancer,including the molecular mechanisms and their ramifications.Examining recent developments in immunotherapy and their potential to boost the effectiveness of future treatments.

Can Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi pills relieve endometriosisassociated dysmenorrhea?Protocol for a randomized placebocontrolled trial

Objective:To provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy of Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi(HHRY)pills for endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea.Methods:This study constitutes a multicenter,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial encompassing a three-menstrual cycle intervention followed by a three-menstrual cycle follow-up period.A total of 164 eligible females with endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into HHRY pills and placebo groups in a 1:1 ratio.The primary outcome included dysmenorrhea symptoms assessed using Visual Analog Scale(VAS)scores and quality of life,whereas the secondary outcome measures included the maximum VAS for non-menstrual pelvic pain,duration of pain episodes(in days),frequency and quantity of the consumption of ibuprofen sustained-release capsules(or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),and days off work/study for staff/student due to dysmenorrhea,ovarian cyst,and/or pelvic nodule size.The safety was monitored throughout the treatment period.All the analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle.For continuous outcomes,simple or multiple linear regressions were used to estimate the differences between the HHRY pills and placebo groups,with categorical data expressed as the number and percentage of occurrences.Differences were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.The predefined analysis was adjusted for concomitant treatment,a variable considered to be associated with outcomes but unaffected by treatment allocation.Estimates of treatment effects were reported with 95%confidence intervals.Two-tailed P values≤.05 were considered statistically significant.Conclusion:Positive results from this trial,upon completion would provide robust evidence for the efficacy and safety of HHRY pills in treating dysmenorrhea in patients with endometriosis.

Hupo powder promotes autophagy of menstrual blood-derived stem cells from patients with endometriosis

Objective:To explore the effect of Hupo powder(HP)on autophagy in menstrual blood-derived stem cells(MenSCs)with endometriosis(EMT).Methods:EMT MenSCs(E-MenSCs)and healthy MenSCs(H-MenSCs)were isolated from the menstrual blood of patients with EMT and healthy female participants,respectively.We identified their stem cells’characteristics via adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation.Twelve male SpragueeDawley rats received 0.9% NaCl and HP-dispensing granules by gastric irrigation to prepare blank serum and medicated serum,respectively.We used serum concentrations of 5%,10%,and 20%,each at administered times of 12,24,and 48 h to select the best condition.These cells were divided into three groups:blank serum of the control group,blank serum of the model group,and medicated serum of the HP group.H-MenSCs were used in the control group,while E-MenSCs were used in the model and HP groups.We analyzed cell viability using a cell counting kit-8 assay,observed cell morphology,evaluated the amounts of auto-phagosomes and autolysosomes by transmission electron microscopy,and detected the protein expression of autophagy markers(LC3-II and Beclin1)by Western blot.Results:E-MenSCs and H-MenSCs became long fusiform with a diffuse radial pattern,forming lipid droplets and calcium nodules after adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation.We then used the best conditiond 20% serum and 48 hdfor the subsequent experiments.In contrast to the model group,the HP group exhibited lower cell viability(=0.007),larger amounts of autophagosomes and autolysosomes(P<0.001 and P=0.001,respectively),and higher expression of LC3-II and Beclin1(P=0.021 and P=0.019,respectively).Conclusion:Hupo powder can promote autophagy in E-MenSCs,which might be one of the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects.

Difficulties Faced by Physicians in the Diagnosis of Endometriosis in the Brazilian Public Health System

Endometriosis is a clinical and recurrent condition characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and myometrium. It is estimated that 6% to 10% of women of reproductive age, 50% to 60% of adolescents and adults with pelvic pain, and up to 50% of women with infertility are pregnant from the condition. However, this proportion tends to be even greater due to the difficulty in diagnosing it: because it presents different symptoms, lack of information from health professionals, and a high-cost diagnostic test. Another aggravating factor is the average time from the onset of symptoms to the medical diagnosis, which even today ranges from five to ten years;this delay has consequences for disease progression, as it prevents early treatment, which is important for improving pain levels and physical and psychological well-being. Aware of these mishaps, it is therefore important to assess the difficulties faced by doctors in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the public health system, in Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS). With this purpose, a cross sectional was carried out, developed in the virtual environment using traffic in Google forms, with the difficulties quantified in the Likert scale. Participating physicians pointed out a medium difficulty for patients with endometriosis to access the consultation (58%) and moderate difficulty (52%) to perform an ultrasound examination;also signaled great difficulty in performing magnetic resonance imaging (77%) and laparotomy (61%) in these patients. It is hoped that knowledge about the difficulties faced by physicians in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the SUS will give these physicians a voice and corroborate, even if minimally, so that there is more research that provokes the search for these difficulties, in order to improving the quality of life of these women.

Histone lactylation promotes cell proliferation,migration and invasion through targeting HMGB1 in endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as a condition with endometrium-like tissues migrating outside of the pelvic cavity.However,the mechanism of endometriosis is still unclear.Lactate can be covalently modified to lysine residues of histones and other proteins,which is called lactylation.The results showed that the higher level of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase A enhanced the histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation(H3K18lac)in ectopic endometrial tissues and ectopic endometrial stromal cells than that in normal endometrial tissues and normal endometrial stromal cells.Lactate promoted cell proliferation,migration,and invasion in endometriosis.Mechanistically,lactate induced H3K18lac to promote the expression of high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)in endometriosis,and HMGB1 knockdown significantly reduced the cell proliferation,migration,and invasion of the lactate-treated cells through the phosphorylation of AKT.In conclusion,lactate could induce histone lactylation to promote endometriosis progression by upregulating the expression of HMGB1,which may provide a novel target for the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.

Diagnosis Delay and Assessment of the Quality of Life of Patients with Endometriosis Using the Endometriosis Health Profile 5 Questionnaire in a Sub-Saharan Population

Context: Endometriosis is a pathology that directly affects the daily lives of women with frequent impairment of their quality of life. In our environment, medical, socio-cultural, financial factors and factors related to the organization of the health care system greatly delay its diagnosis. The objectives of the present study were to determine the diagnosis delay and to assess the quality of life before surgery of women with endometriosis using the specific Endometriosis Health Profile 5 (EHP-5) questionnaire. Methods: We carried out a descriptive, observational, retrospective study in 8 medical centers in the City of Kinshasa, from January 2019 to October 2022. A total of 80 women with endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy (16 diagnostic and 64 operative laparoscopies) and histopathology were interviewed. We used the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (rASMR) classification, the Endometriosis Fertility Index (EFI) score was calculated for infertile women and the EHP-5 questionnaire to assess quality of life. Our data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software 16.1 (STATA 16.1). Results: Diagnosis delay of endometriosis was on average 12 ± 4.3 years. The overall mean EHP-5 score of all patients showed a severe deterioration in quality of life (604 ± 235). A negative relationship was observed between the age of the patient, the diagnostic delay, and the alteration of the quality of life in patients over 36 years old and those with about 11 years of diagnostic delay presenting the slight alteration. Patients with a high social level had very severe quality impairment. Women on hormonal treatment, those with a history of pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage and abortion had a slight and significant deterioration in quality of life (p 0.05). Conclusion: Despite some limitations, our preliminary study highlights that in sub-Saharan Africa, the diagnosis of endometriosis is delayed and associated with a severe alteration in quality of life. Moreover, diagnosis of endometriosis seems to be restricted to women with high social levels. Therefore, further efforts are required to develop a health policy to decrease delay for diagnosis with potential benefits on symptoms, quality of life, fertility while limiting stigma and psychological effects of this debilitating pathology.

Identification of EML4 as a key hub gene for endometriosis and its molecular mechanism and potential drug prediction based on the GEO database

Objective:Key genes were screened to analyze molecular mechanisms and their drug targets of endometriosis by applying a bioinformatics approach.Methods:Gene expression profiles of endometriosis and healthy controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Significant differentially expressed genes were screened using the limma package.Correlation pathways were screened by Spearman correlation analysis on the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4(EML4)and enrichment in endometriosis pathways and estimated by the GSVA package.Immune characteristics were assessed by the“ESTIMATE”R package.Potential regulatory pathways were determined by enrichment analysis.The SWISS-MODE website was used in homology modeling with EML4 and EML4 protein activity was predicted.VarElect was employed in molecular docking for screening potential compound inhibitors targeting endometriosis.Results:Ten endometriosis and 10 normal samples were included.EML4 was significantly upregulated in endometriosis(p<0.05).Thirty significantly correlated pathways involving 18 positive and 12 negative correlations,including GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN_BIOSYNTHESIS_HEPARAN_SULFATE and GLYCOSPHINGOLIPID_BIOSYNTHESIS_GANGLIO_SERIES were screened between EML4 and endometriosis.Immunocorrelation analysis showed a significant difference in immune-related pathways in endometriosis and normal samples(p<0.05).In endometriosis,EML4 was associated with T-cell CD4 resting memory,activated mast cells,plasma cells,activated NK cells,M2 macrophages,and follicular helper T cells(p<0.05).Molecular docking identified five potential inhibitors of EML4,and compound DB05104(asimadoline)bound well to EML4 protein to exert its physiological effects.Conclusion:Differential gene expression and immune correlation analyses revealed that EML4 may affect endometriosis through multiple targets and pathways,the mechanism of which involved immune cell activation and infiltration.Molecular docking and dynamics simulation verified DB05104 as a potential inhibitor of EML4 and a powerful target for endometriosis treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma associated with endometriosis in the uterus and ovaries:A case report

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disease that causes dysmenorrhea in women of childbearing age.Malignant tumors derived from endometriosis are rarely reported and are found in only 1%of all patients with endometriosis.Here,we report a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)caused by squamous metaplasia of endometriosis that co-occurred in the uterus and ovaries.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old postmenopausal woman had a 6-month history of irregular uterine bleeding.The uterus and adnexa were examined by computed tomography,and there were two solid cystic masses in the pelvis and right adnexa.Histological findings of surgical specimens showed well-differentiated SCC arising from squamous metaplasia of ectopic endometrial glands in the uterus and ovaries.The patient received chemotherapy after surgery and was followed up for 3 mo without metastasis.CONCLUSION The continuity between ectopic endometrial glands and SCC supports that SCC originates from ectopic endometrial glands with metaplasia towards squamous epithelium.

Endometriosis of the lung: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Lung endometriosis is an extremely rare gynecological disease.Current literature reports suggest that the majority of patients will present with only generic symptoms,such as hemoptysis,pneumothorax,and hemopneumothorax,which often leads to misdiagnosis.To date,there are 18 case reports of lung endometriosis that describe the clinical manifestation,imaging changes,treatment,and prognosis of the disease.To provide further insights into this rare disease,we present a new case report and a brief review of pulmonary endometriosis.CASE SUMMARY We report here about a 19-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital for repeated catamenial hemoptysis over a 3-mo period.computed tomography(CT)imaging during menstruation revealed patchy high-density shadows,approximately 0.5 cm3 in size,in the right middle lobe of the lung.The patient’s hemoptysis and changes in the CT scans resolved after menstruation.Thoracoscopic right middle lobectomy,right lower lung repair,and closed thoracic drainage were performed.Postoperative histopathology confirmed lung endometriosis.There was no recurrence of symptoms at the 6 mo follow-up.CONCLUSION We propose diagnosing lung endometriosis by thoroughly taking reproductive history,clinical details,imaging,and histopathology followed by treatment with surgical resection.

Expression and correlation of pyroptosis-related markers and PI3K/AKT pathway in endometriosis

Objective:The expression of pyroptosis related factors GSDMD,Caspase-1,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-18 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in ovarian endometriosis was investigated and their correlations analyzed.Methods:A total of 50 patients with endometriosis who underwent ovarian cystectomy in the Department of Gynecology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from January 2022 to January 2023 were enrolled as endometriosis group.In addition,55 patients with normal endometrial tissue who underwent hysteroscopic surgery in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group,and patients with endometriosis were excluded during the operation.RT-qPCR,Western Blot was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related factor and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mRAN,protein in the above tissues,and the correlation between the expression of the two was analyzed by Pearson correlation test.Results:The expression of pyroptosis-related factors and mRAN of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ectopic ovarian cyst tissues was significantly higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that pyroptosis-related factors in ectopic ovarian cysts were positively correlated with the mRNA expression levels of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway(P<0.05).Conclusion:The pyroptosis correlation factors GSDMD,Caspase-1,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-18 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways are highly expressed in ovarian endometriosis,and the pyroptosis-related factors are positively correlated with the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,suggesting that the regulation of endometriosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is likely to be achieved by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of JinlingziSan in the treatment of endometriosis based on network pharmacology system

Background:Chinese herbal medicines have been proven to be effective in clinical treatment and disease prevention.Jinlingzi San is a herbal medicine used for the treatment of endometriosis.However,a comprehensive network pharmacology approach has not been used to understand the active ingredients and therapeutic mechanisms behind Jinlingzi San in the treatment of endometriosis.Methods:A network pharmacology approach and a molecular docking approach were used to predict the active ingredients and potential targets of Jinlingzi San in the treatment of endometriosis.Results:The integrated network pharmacology approach successfully identified 60 active ingredients and 540 key targets of action in Jinlingzi San dispersion.Among them,STAT3,TP53,MAPK3,RELA,MAPK1,JUN and other key genes were mainly regulated through pathways in cancer,lipid and atherosclerosis,AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,pancreatic cancer,prostate cancer,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,Th17 cell differentiation,and other signaling pathways in the cell body,receptor complexes,cytoplasm,nucleoplasm,and plasma membrane.Conclusion:Based on a systems network pharmacology approach,our work successfully predicts the active components and potential targets of Jinlingzi San for the treatment of endometriosis and helps to illustrate the mechanism of action at an integrative level.This demonstrates that Jinlingzi San for the treatment of endometriosis is regulated through a multi-component,multi-target,multi-system co-regulation.This study identifies key genes and pathways associated with endometriosis and pathogenesis from new insights,and also provides a viable approach to the chemical basis and pharmacological studies of Jinlingzi San.

Identification of the risk of breast cancer in patients suffering from endometriosis:A meta-analysis

Background:Breast cancer and endometriosis are two significant diseases that threaten the health of female worldwide.The relationship between them is still in a state of controversy.In present study,we identified the risk of breast cancer in patients with endometriosis through a meta-analysis.Methods:A systematic search of the PubMed,Embase and Cochrane Library,with the terms for endometriosis,breast and cancer,tumor,neoplasm,or carcinoma combined.Studies on related risk estimates of endometriosis and breast cancer were included in the meta-analysis.Furthermore,a series of analytical methods such as sensitivity analysis,the Cochran Q test,Begg’s and Egger’s test were used to analyze the information of collected studies.Results:Finally,a total of 8 studies were included.After statistical analysis based on STATA software,the combined odds ratio of the results was 1.13(95%CI:1.09–1.17).And the results of subgroup analysis showed that the odds ratio values of different outcome indexes were 1.06(95%CI:1.02–1.09,P<0.05),the effective effect estimates were presented in SIR(P=0.006,I^(2)=80.3%).Conclusion:In present study,we identified that patients with endometriosis have an increased risk of breast cancer.It is worth considering that our research was a summary analysis of epidemiological data.More in-depth studies are needed to determine the pathophysiology of this relationship.

Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of endometriosis: a comprehensive-review of treatment mechanisms

The study aims to reveal the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of endometriosis and provide support for further research on traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients.The literature survey was conducted using PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI and other databases with“endometriosis”,“Chinese medicine”,“Chinese herbal medicine”and“natural plants”as the main keywords.Traditional Chinese medicine can exert their therapeutic effects on endometriosis by inhibiting inflammation through multiple pathways and multiple targets,regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis,angiogenesis,cell adhesion and oxidative stress.Traditional Chinese medicine can intervene in endometriosis in multiple ways and with multiple targets.In-depth study of Chinese medicine for endometriosis can provide new ideas for exploring the pathogenesis of endometriosis and developing new drugs.

中医药对变应性鼻炎Th细胞因子影响的研究进展

变应性鼻炎(Allergic rhinitis,AR)是一种IgE介导的鼻黏膜炎症性疾病,由草花粉、树木、杂草花粉霉菌、尘螨和动物皮屑等空气变应原诱发。AR的特征是流涕、阵发性打喷嚏、鼻痒、鼻塞和流泪等症状^([1])。AR可根据病因分为常年AR和季节性AR,因为暴露于季节性过敏原后会出现季节性症状,这些症状在春季、夏季和秋季达到高峰^([2])。AR影响全球10%~30%的人口,且其患病率仍在上升,其中约67%的病例由草花粉和尘螨过敏组成^([3-4])。目前,西医对本病的干预手段大多选择药物治疗或免疫疗法,但药物治疗不良反应较大,患者依从性较差,且远期疗效欠佳;而免疫疗法费用昂贵,不易推广使用。近年,中医药疗法在本病的治疗中发挥出愈加重要的治疗作用,且绿色安全、患者接受度更高,对患者的临床症状、生活质量及各项免疫因子均有较为理想的改善作用。现综述近年来中医药对AR免疫因子影响的研究进展,以期为中医药在AR及其他变态反应性疾病领域的应用提供参考。

清热化瘀方调控Th17对小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的 探索清热化瘀方通过调控T辅助细胞17(Th17)对小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤(I/R)的影响。方法 45只小鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和清热化瘀方低、中、高剂量组(13、26、52 g/kg),各组小鼠灌胃给予不同剂量清热化瘀方或蒸馏水7 d,通过左冠状动脉结扎30 min再灌注24 h建立心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型。术后24 h采用心脏超声检测心功能,HE染色观察心脏组织病理改变,TTC染色观察心脏梗死面积,试剂盒检测血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、白介素17(IL-17)和白介素6(IL-6)水平,Western blot和RT-qPCR法检测心脏组织中RORγt mRNA和蛋白表达,流式细胞术检测外周血中Th17、Treg和Th17/Treg细胞比例。结果 与模型组比较,清热化瘀方组小鼠心功能提高,梗死面积减少,Th17细胞比例降低,促炎因子IL-17和IL-6水平降低,Th17/Treg动态平衡得到恢复(P<0.05)。结论 清热化瘀方可通过调节Th17恢复Th17/Treg稳态,从而减轻心肌缺血再灌注损伤。

补肾固胎方联合黄体酮注射液治疗肾虚型早期先兆流产疗效及对妊娠激素水平和Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响

目的 观察补肾固胎方联合黄体酮注射液治疗肾虚型早期先兆流产疗效及对妊娠激素水平和Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响。方法 采用随机数字表法将符合入选标准的120例肾虚型早期先兆流产患者分为观察组和对照组。对照组予黄体酮注射液治疗,观察组同联合补肾固胎方治疗。连续治疗2周后,比较两组中医证候积分(妊娠期阴道流血、小腹坠胀或疼痛、腰酸痛、膝关节酸软)、妊娠激素水平[雌二醇(Estradiol, E_(2))、人绒毛膜促性腺激素(Human chorionic gonadotropin, β-HCG)、孕酮(Progesterone, P)]、Th1/Th2细胞因子[白细胞介素2(interleukin-2,IL-2)、白细胞介素4(interleukin-4,IL-4)、γ干扰素(Interferon-γ,INF-γ)]改善情况,统计两组治疗总有效率、妊娠结局及不良反应发生率。结果 两组治疗后妊娠期阴道流血、小腹坠胀或疼痛、腰酸痛、膝关节酸软积分,IL-2、INF-γ水平均低于治疗前(P<0.05),且观察组治疗后以上中医证候积分和IL-2、INF-γ水平均低于对照组(P<0.05);两组治疗后IL-4水平均高于治疗前(P<0.05),且观察组治疗后IL-4水平高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组总有效率为(91.7%,55/60),高于对照组(75.0%,45/60)(P<0.05);观察组足月分娩率为(85.0%,51/60),高于对照组(56.7%,34/60)(P<0.05);观察组不良反应发生率为3.3%,低于对照组(25.0%)(P<0.05)。结论 补肾固胎方联合黄体酮注射液能够有效调节肾虚型早期先兆流产患者妊娠激素水平和Th1/Th2细胞因子水平,纠正免疫功能紊乱,降低患者流产率,提高足月妊娠率,改善妊娠结局。

中医药调控白癜风Th17/Treg细胞失衡的研究进展

白癜风是一种临床常见的慢性炎症性色素脱失性皮肤疾病,在世界范围内的患病率约为0.5%~2%^([1])。目前对于本病的发病机制尚不清楚,有多种学术假说被提出来进行解释,如氧化应激理论、神经体液假说等,但是自身免疫学说是最被认可的一种,同时动物模型和人体研究也都强调了免疫系统在白癜风中的重要作用^([2-4])。皮肤作为人体最大的器官,是机体抵御外来感染的第一道防线。

儿童难治性肺炎支原体肺炎肺泡灌洗液病菌量与Th1/Th2细胞免疫应答的相关性研究

目的探究儿童难治性肺炎支原体肺炎肺泡灌洗液病菌量与Th1/Th2细胞免疫应答的相关性。方法随机选择郑州大学附属儿童医院诊治的96例难治性肺炎支原体肺炎患儿为研究对象,根据肺泡灌洗液中肺炎支原体DNA含量进行分组,即>106/m L为高菌量组(n=35),103~106/m L为中菌量组(n=30),<103/m L为低菌量组(n=31)。检测三组患儿肺泡灌洗液的炎性因子水平,对比三组的炎性因子水平、肺部影像学与实验室检查结果、临床表现和基础情况,分析肺泡灌洗液中肺炎支原体DNA含量与炎性因子的相关性。结果在体温高于39℃、热程高于10天患儿占比以及总发热时间、使用抗生素后热程、住院时间、乳酸脱氢酶、血小板计数、中性粒细胞计数、淋巴细胞计数上,三组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),白细胞计数比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);双侧或大量胸腔积液、肺不张或者大片肺实变发生率、白细胞介素-4(interleukin-4,IL-4)水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),三组之间的双侧肺病变、左侧肺病变、右侧肺病变发生率以及肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、干扰素(interferon-γ,INF-γ)、IL-8水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);肺泡灌洗液中IL-4与肺炎支原体DNA水平呈正相关(P<0.05),肺泡灌洗液中TNF-α、INF-γ、IL-8与肺炎支原体DNA水平无相关性(P>0.05)。结论儿童难治性肺炎支原体肺炎肺泡灌洗液病菌量与Th1/Th2细胞免疫应答具有相关性,肺炎支原体DNA菌量越高,肺内外损害和肺部炎症越严重,Th1/Th2免疫应答失衡。