PCSK9 with a gain of function D374Y mutation aggravates atherosclerosis by inhibiting PPARα expression.

The preprotein convertase, Bacillus subtilis protease/kexin type 9 serine protease (PCSK9), has garnered significant attention as a potential lipid lowering and therapeutic drug target for atherosclerosis (AS). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is expressed in various tissues and has crucial roles in lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response; however, the precise impact of PCSK9 on AS progression through its regulation of PPARα remains uncertain. The present study aimed to examine the impact of introducing stable liver transduction of human derived PCSK9 with a gain of function D374Y mutation (PCSK9) into systemic PPARα knockout mice (PPARα) on plasma lipid levels and AS.

Vitamin D and Pancreatitis: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence.

Emerging research indicates that vitamin D metabolic disorder plays a major role in both acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). This has been demonstrated by studies showing that vitamin D deficiency is associated with pancreatitis and its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects by binding with the vitamin D receptor (VDR). However, the role of vitamin D assessment and its management in pancreatitis remains poorly understood.

Buyang Huanwu Decoction Enhances Revascularization via Akt/GSK3/NRF2 Pathway in Diabetic Hindlimb Ischemia.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a typical disease of atherosclerosis, most commonly influencing the lower extremities. In patients with PAD, revascularization remains a preferred treatment strategy. Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) is a popular Chinese herbal prescription which has showed effects of cardiovascular protection through conducting antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects.

A Preclinical Systematic Review of Curcumin for Protecting the Kidney with Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) refers to a phenomenon associated with dysfunction of the kidney and tissue damage. Unfortunately, no specific drugs have been found that effectively prevent and treat RIRI. Curcumin (Cur), a polyphenol extracted from turmeric, possesses a variety of biological activities involving antioxidation, inhibition of apoptosis, inhibition of inflammation, and reduction of lipid peroxidation.

Clinical and Preclinical Systematic Review of Astragalus Membranaceus for Viral Myocarditis.

Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which possesses a variety of biological activities in the cardiovascular systems. We conducted a clinical and preclinical systematic review of 28 randomized clinical control studies with 2522 participants and 16 animal studies with 634 animals to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and possible mechanisms of AM for viral myocarditis (VM). The search strategies were performed in 7 databases from inception to January 2020.

Oral Administration of Quercetin or Its Derivatives Inhibit Bone Loss in Animal Model of Osteoporosis.

. (Q) and its derivatives are the major members of the naturally occurring flavonoid family, which possess beneficial effects on disease prevention including osteoporosis. The present study is aimed at further investigating the efficacy of the Q and its derivatives on bone pathology, bone-related parameters under imageology, bone maximum load, and serum bone metabolism indexes in animal model of osteoporosis.

Astragaloside IV Exerts Cardioprotection in Animal Models of Viral Myocarditis: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), the essential active component of astragalus, possesses diverse biological activities that have beneficial effects against cardiovascular disease. Here, we conducted a preclinical systematic review of 15 studies including 577 animals to establish the efficacy and potential mechanisms of AS-IV for animal models of viral myocarditis (VM). Six databases were searched from inception to October 2018.

Ginkgolide B for Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ginkgolide B (GB) is an extract of dried Ginkgo biloba leaves and possesses various pharmacological activities in the cardiovascular system. Herein, we aim to assess the available preclinical evidence and possible mechanisms of GB for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The study quality score was assessed using the CAMARADES 10-item checklist.

Notoginsenoside R1 for Organs Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: A Preclinical Systematic Review.

Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) exerts pharmacological actions for a variety of diseases such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute renal injury, and intestinal injury. Here, we conducted a preclinical systematic review of NGR1 for ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Eight databases were searched from their inception to February 23rd, 2019; Review Manager 5.

Plasma cytokines can help to identify the development of severe acute pancreatitis on admission.

Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early severity stratification remains a challenging issue to overcome to improve outcomes. We aim to find novel plasma cytokines for the early identification of severe AP according to the revised Atlanta criteria.

Chai-Qin-Cheng-Qi Decoction and Carbachol Improve Intestinal Motility by Regulating Protein Kinase C-Mediated Ca Release in Colonic Smooth Muscle Cells in Rats with Acute Necrotising Pancreatitis.

Chai-Qin-Cheng-Qi decoction (CQCQD) improves intestinal motility in acute pancreatitis (AP), but the mechanism(s) require elucidation. We investigated the effects of CQCQD and carbachol, a prokinetic agent, on colonic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in L-arginine-induced necrotising AP model in rats. In treatment groups, intragastric CQCQD (20 g/kg, 2 hourly × 3 doses) or intraperitoneal carbachol (60 g/kg) was given 24 hours after induction of AP.

Circulating microRNA 216 as a Marker for the Early Identification of Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: To study the value of circulating microRNA 216 (miR-216) as a marker for the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in both murine models and patients.

Materials And Methods: Mice with AP were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50μg/kg/hour cerulean either 7 times, sacrificed at 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 hours after the first injection, or 12 times, sacrificed at 24 hours after the first injection. Plasma samples and data from patients with AP were obtained from a prospective cohort.

Isolated Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy versus conventional pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the advantage between isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy (IPJ) and conventional pancreaticojejunostomy (CPJ) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods: Comparative studies on this topic published between January 1976 and April 2015 in PubMed, EMbase, EBSCO, Science Citation Index Expanded and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library were searched, and selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Perioperative outcomes such as postoperative pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative bleeding, intra-abdominal abscess, bile leakage, wound infection, morbidity and mortality were compared.

Continuous regional arterial infusion for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.

Background: Continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI) is a drug delivery system, which dramatically increases the drug concentration in the pancreas. Previous clinical and basic studies have demonstrated the possible therapeutic efficacy of CRAI for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). This meta-analysis of all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of CRAI for the treatment of SAP.

[Hot issues on the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis by Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine].

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is recognized as critical refractory disease. The case fatality rate of SAP is as high as 36%-50%. Although significant progress has been achieved on the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) by Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine (WM), there still exist some difficulties hindering the further improvement of therapeutic efficacy.

Clinical characteristics of critical patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Chengdu, China.

Objective: The critical illness of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection may be associated with relatively poor outcomes. The objective of this study is to describe clinical features and factors associated with the deaths of critical patients.

Methods: Medical records of 26 critical patients with H1N1 infection admitted from Sept.

Effects of Chai-Qin-Cheng-Qi Decoction on cefotaxime in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of Chai-Qin-Cheng-Qi Decoction (CQCQD) on cefotaxime (CTX) concentration in pancreas of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).

Methods: Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into an ANP group (ANP model + CTX, n = 20), treatment group (ANP model + CTX + CQCQD, n = 20) and control group (normal rats + CTX, n = 20). ANP models were induced by retrograde intraductal injection of 3.

[Non-preventive use of antibiotics in patients with severe acute pancreatitis treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic effects of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy without antibiotics in treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: SAP patients were randomly divided into treatment group (26 cases included) and control group (28 cases included). In addition to the same protocol of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment for both groups, intravenous drip infusion of 0.

Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on acute necrotizing pancreatitis: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: This study addresses whether antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial for acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Methods: This randomized, controlled trial enrolled 276 patients with severe acute pancreatitis. There were 56 patients with 30% or more necrosis proved by contrast-enhanced computerized tomography who were eligible for randomization: 29 in the study group and 27 in the control group, who received i.

Infectious complications in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics of infectious complications in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). From September 2003 to March 2005, 140 patients with SAP were retrospectively identified. SAP was defined by the diagnostic criteria formulated for SAP at the 2002 Bangkok World Congress of Gastroenterology in Thailand.

[Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction decreases pancreatic acinar cell calcium overload in rats with acute pancreatitis].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (CQCQD), a compound of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acting on the pancreatic acinar cell calcium overload in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group and CQCQD group (n=10, respectively). AP was induced in rats by caerulein (5x50 mug/kg) intraperitoneal injection within 4 h.

[Effects of Chaiqinchengqi decoction on exocrine function of pancreatic acinar cells of acute pancreatitis rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Chaiqinchengqi decoction(CQCQ-D) on exocrine function of pancreatic acinar cells and the changes of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of acute pancreatitis (AP) rats, so as to explore the mechanism of CQCQ-D.

Methods: Acute pancreatitis model was induced in Sprague-Dawley rat by ligation of bile-pancreatic duct, pancreatic acinar cells were isolated by collagenase digestion and in vitro co-incubated with the drug serum containing Chaiqingchengqi decoction(CQCQ-S) which was collected from normal rats intragastrically fed on CQCQ-D, then the amylase activity secreted into the buffer was assayed and intracellular fluorescent intensity were observed and analyzed to investigate the changes of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i).

Results: Amylase secretion in AP group was lower than that in sham-operation(SO) group (P < 0.

Effect of admission hypertriglyceridemia on the episodes of severe acute pancreatitis.

Aim: To investigate the effect of admission hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) on the episodes of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: One hundred and seventy-six patients with SAP were divided into HTG group (n = 45) and control group (n = 131) according to admission triglyceride (TG) > or = 5.65 mmol/L and < 5.

Effect of Chaiqinchengqi decoction on sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase mRNA expression of pancreatic tissues in acute pancreatitis rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect of Chaiqinchengqi decoction (CQCQD) on sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) mRNA expression of pancreatic tissues in acute pancreatitis (AP) rats.

Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into control group, AP group and CQCQD group (n = 3 x 10). The rats in the CQCQD group were intragastrically administered with CQCQD (10 mL/kg every 2 h) after induction of AP by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein (50 microg/kg.

[Clinical study of Yihuo Qingxia method in treating hyperlipoidemia-related severe acute pancreatitis in early stage].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Yihuo Qingxia method, a traditional Chinese medicine therapeutic method for replenishing qi to activate blood, clearing away heat and dredging intestines, in treating hyperlipoidemia-related severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in early stage.

Methods: One hundred and four patients with hyperlipoidemia-related SAP were divided into two groups: early group (admitted to hospital within 3 days after onset) and late group (admitted to hospital from 3 days to 7 days after onset). There were 52 cases in each group.