Development and Validation of a HPLC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Compound 13b in Rat Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.

Compound 13b, a newly identified anthraquinone derivative, has demonstrated potent efficacy against the Zika virus. To explore the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of compound 13b, a robust and sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method was established and verified to determine its plasma concentration in rats. Sample preparation involved protein precipitation using acetonitrile with testosterone as an internal standard.

Schisandrol B alleviates depression-like behavior in mice by regulating bile acid homeostasis in the brain-liver-gut axis via the pregnane X receptor.

Background: Depression is a widely recognized neuropsychiatric disorder. Recent studies have shown a potential correlation between bile acid disorders and depression, highlighting the importance of maintaining bile acid balance for effective antidepressant treatment. Schisandrol B (SolB), a primary bioactive compound from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.

Prolonged tamoxifen treatment induces iron deposition and ferroptosis in the liver.

Tamoxifen is an inhibitor of estrogen receptors and was originally developed for breast cancer therapy. Besides, tamoxifen is widely used for Cre-estrogen receptor-mediated conditional knockout in transgenic mice. However, we found that the 3-month feeding of 0.

Pregnane X receptor activation promotes hematopoiesis during liver regeneration by inducing proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in mice.

Liver regeneration is a complex process that involves the recruitment of bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Pregnane X receptor (PXR), also known as NR1I2, is an important regulator for liver enlargement and regeneration. However, the role of PXR activation in hematopoiesis during liver regeneration remains unclear.

Lymphatic vessels are necessary for cardiac function and inflammation resolution in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy.

Background: Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM), is defined as a global but reversible dysfunction of both the left and right sides of the heart, which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Lymphatic vessels are crucial for maintaining tissue fluid balance and regulating inflammatory responses. However, the role of lymphatics in SICM is still unknown.

Hsa-miR-3928-3p targets the CCL3/CCR5 axis to induce amniotic epithelial cell senescence involved in labor initiation.

Introduction: Senescence in human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) and increased sterile inflammation in the amniotic cavity can lead to the initiation of term labor (TL). We investigated the possible roles of hsa-miR-3928-3p and chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) in labor initiation and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Microarray chip screening was used to analyse the differential expression of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes from women in TL and term not-in-labor.

Baicalein Targets MAPK9 to Induce Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern. However, there are limited effective treatments available for it. The use of natural products in the management and treatment of HCC is gaining more attention.

Pregnane X receptor activation induces liver enlargement and regeneration and simultaneously promotes the metabolic activity of CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C6/11 in rats.

Human pregnane X receptor (PXR) is critical for regulating the expression of key drug-metabolizing enzymes such as CYP3A and CYP2C. Our recent study revealed that treatment with rodent-specific PXR agonist pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN) significantly induced hepatomegaly and promoted liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) in mice. However, it remains unclear whether PXR activation induces hepatomegaly and liver regeneration and simultaneously promotes metabolic function of the liver.

Efficient pulmonary lymphatic drainage is necessary for inflammation resolution in ARDS.

The lymphatic vasculature is the natural pathway for the resolution of inflammation, yet the role of pulmonary lymphatic drainage function in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains poorly characterized. In this study, indocyanine green-near infrared lymphatic living imaging was performed to examine pulmonary lymphatic drainage function in septic mouse models. We found that the pulmonary lymphatic drainage was impaired owing to the damaged lymphatic structure in sepsis-induced ARDS.

Potential herb‒drug interactions between anti-COVID-19 drugs and traditional Chinese medicine.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. Effective treatments against COVID-19 remain urgently in need although vaccination significantly reduces the incidence, hospitalization, and mortality. At present, antiviral drugs including Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid), Remdesivir, and Molnupiravir have been authorized to treat COVID-19 and become more globally available.

A subtle connection between crossed cerebellar diaschisis and supratentorial collateral circulation in subacute and chronic ischemic stroke.

Objectives: It has not been reported whether collateral circulation, a factor closely related to the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction, is related to the occurrence of crossed cerebellar diaschisis(CCD) or not. Our research attempts to verify the relationship between the collateral circulation grade and the occurrence of CCD, mainly by means of CTA and CTP.

Materials And Methods: A total of 47 patients were divided into a CCD-positive (Kim et al.

Maresin 1 intervention reverses experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension in mice.

Background And Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a pulmonary vasculature obstructive disease that leads to right heart failure and death. Maresin 1 is an endogenous lipid mediator known to promote inflammation resolution. However, the effect of Maresin 1 on PAH remains unclear.

The Novel Role of Metabolism-Associated Molecular Patterns in Sepsis.

Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction, is not caused by direct damage of pathogens and their toxins but by the host's severe immune and metabolic dysfunction caused by the damage when the host confronts infection. Previous views focused on the damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including metabolic proinflammatory factors in sepsis. Recently, new concepts have been proposed to group free fatty acids (FFAs), glucose, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), cholesterol, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs), ceramides, and uric acid into metabolism-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs).

Pro-Resolving Mediator Resolvin E1 Restores Alveolar Fluid Clearance in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier and impaired alveolar fluid clearance. Resolvin E1 (RvE1) is a specialized pro-resolving mediator derived endogenously from omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids. RvE1 (10 μg/kg i.

M1 macrophages-derived exosomes miR-34c-5p regulates interstitial cells of Cajal through targeting SCF.

Slow transit constipation (STC) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abnormal prolonged colonic transit time, which affects the life quality of many people. The decrease number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) is involved in the pathogenesis of STC. However, the molecular mechanism of loss of ICCs in STC remains unclear, making it difficult to develop new agents for the disease.

Protectin conjugates in tissue regeneration 1 restores lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary endothelial glycocalyx loss via ALX/SIRT1/NF-kappa B axis.

Background: Endothelial glycocalyx loss is integral to increased pulmonary vascular permeability in sepsis-related acute lung injury. Protectin conjugates in tissue regeneration 1 (PCTR1) is a novel macrophage-derived lipid mediator exhibiting potential anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving benefits.

Methods: PCTR1 was administrated intraperitoneally with 100 ng/mouse after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged.

MCTR1 Intervention Reverses Experimental Lung Fibrosis in Mice.

Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressing lethal disease, effective curative therapies remain elusive and mortality remains high. Maresin conjugates in tissue regeneration 1 (MCTR1) is a DHA-derived lipid mediator promoting inflammation resolution produced in macrophage. However, the effect of MCTR1 on PF remains unknown.

Lymphatic Flow: A Potential Target in Sepsis-Associated Acute Lung Injury.

Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an imbalance in the body's response to infection and acute lung injury (ALI) related to sepsis is a common complication. The rapid morbidity and high mortality associated with sepsis is a significant clinical problem facing critical care medicine. Inflammation plays a vital role in the occurrence of sepsis.

PCTR1 improves pulmonary edema fluid clearance through activating the sodium channel and lymphatic drainage in lipopolysaccharide-induced ARDS.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lethal clinical syndrome characterized by damage of the epithelial barriers and accumulation of pulmonary edema fluid. Protectin conjugates in tissue regeneration 1 (PCTR1), an endogenously produced lipid mediator, are believed to exert anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects. PCTR1 (1 µg/kg) was injected at 8 hr after lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 14 mg/kg) administration, and the rate of pulmonary fluid clearance was measured in live rats at 1 hr after PCTR1 treatment.

Maresin Conjugates in Tissue Regeneration 1 improves alveolar fluid clearance by up-regulating alveolar ENaC, Na, K-ATPase in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Maresin Conjugates in Tissue Regeneration 1 (MCTR1) is a newly identified macrophage-derived sulfido-conjugated mediator that stimulates the resolution of inflammation. This study assessed the role of MCTR1 in alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) in a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats were intravenously injected with MCTR1 at a dose of 200 ng/rat, 8 hours after administration of 14 mg/kg LPS.

Balance Control and Energetics of Powered Exoskeleton-Assisted Sit-to-Stand Movement in Individuals With Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To quantify the effects of initial hip angle and angular hip velocity settings of a lower-limb wearable robotic exoskeleton (WRE) on the balance control and mechanical energy requirements in patients with paraplegic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) during WRE-assisted sit-to-stand (STS).

Design: Observational, cross-sectional study.

Setting: A university hospital gait laboratory with an 8-camera motion analysis system, 3 forceplates, a pair of instrumented crutches, and a WRE.

The effects of gait training using powered lower limb exoskeleton robot on individuals with complete spinal cord injury.

Background: Powered exoskeleton can improve the mobility for people with movement deficits by providing mechanical support and facilitate the gait training. This pilot study evaluated the effect of gait training using a newly developed powered lower limb exoskeleton robot for individuals with complete spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Two participants with a complete SCI were recruited for this clinical study.

Application of BOLD MRI and DTI for the evaluation of renal effect related to viscosity of iodinated contrast agent in a rat model.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of viscosity of contrast agent (CA) on intrarenal oxygenation and diffusion as measured by blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in a rat model.

Materials And Methods: Radiocontrast iodixanol formulated in three viscosities were designated 270, 320, and 350 (mg iodine/mL). Sixty-three male Wistar rats were divided into four groups.