Crocetin protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by attenuating Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission via PGC-1α.

Background: Saffron ( L.) has been traditionally used as food, spice, and medicine. Crocetin (CRT), as main bioactive component of saffron, has accumulated pieces of beneficial evidence on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Electroacupuncture in Treatment of Acute Gastrointestinal Injury in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether electroacupuncture (EA) would improve gastrointestinal function and clinical prognosis in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) complicocted by acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI).

Methods: This multicenter, single-blind trial included patients with TBI and AGI admitted to 5 Chinese hospitals from September 2018 to December 2019. A total of 500 patients were randomized to the control or acupuncture groups using a random number table, 250 cases in each group.

Electroacupuncture at Bilateral Zusanli Points (ST36) Protects Intestinal Mucosal Immune Barrier in Sepsis.

Sepsis results in high morbidity and mortality. Immunomodulation strategies could be an adjunctive therapy to treat sepsis. Acupuncture has also been used widely for many years in China to treat sepsis.

Effect of Shenfu injection on intestinal mucosal barrier in a rat model of sepsis.

Purpose: The effects of Shenfu injection on protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier were investigated in rats with sepsis.

Methods: Severe sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 30 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Twelve rats that received sham surgery received 10 mL/kg of normal saline.

[Effect of electro-acupuncture at zusanli (ST36) on the expression of ghrelin and HMGB1 in the small intestine of sepsis rats].

Objective: To explore the expression of Ghrelin and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the serum and the intestinal tissue of sepsis model rats, and to evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) on the expression of HMGB1 and Ghrelin.

Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e.

[Impacts of electroacupuncture on intestinal permeability in sepsis patients].

Objective: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture on sepsis and explore its mechanism.

Methods: Fifty cases were randomized into an observation group (26 cases) and a control group (24 cases). The therapeutic programs of anti-infection, anti-shock, respiratory support and nutritional support were provided, but the drugs that might affect gastrointestinal motility were not prescribed in two groups.

Levosimendan versus dobutamine in critically ill patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of levosimendan versus dobutamine in critically ill patients requiring inotropic support.

Methods: Clinical trials were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Clinical Trials, as well as Web of Science. Studies were included if they compared levosimendan with dobutamine in critically ill patients requiring inotropic support, and provided at least one outcome of interest.

Angiopoietin-1 preconditioning enhances survival and functional recovery of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation.

Objective: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising therapy for ischemic heart diseases. However, poor cell survival after transplantation greatly limits the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) preconditioning on MSC survival and subsequent heart function improvement after transplantation.