Diabetic vascular diseases: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Vascular complications of diabetes pose a severe threat to human health. Prevention and treatment protocols based on a single vascular complication are no longer suitable for the long-term management of patients with diabetes. Diabetic panvascular disease (DPD) is a clinical syndrome in which vessels of various sizes, including macrovessels and microvessels in the cardiac, cerebral, renal, ophthalmic, and peripheral systems of patients with diabetes, develop atherosclerosis as a common pathology.

N-/T-Type vs. L-Type Calcium Channel Blocker in Treating Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers (CCB) are often used together in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to explore better subtypes of CCB for the treatment of CKD. This meta-analysis of 12 RCTs with 967 CKD patients who were treated with RAS inhibitors demonstrated that, when compared with L-type CCB, N-/T-type CCB was superior in reducing urine albumin/protein excretion (SMD, -0.

Effect of Different Types and Dosages of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors on Lipoprotein(a) Levels: A Network Meta-analysis.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has become an important component of the residual risk of cardiovascular diseases. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors display promising effects in controlling Lp(a) levels. However, the effects of different types and dosages of PCSK9 inhibitors on Lp(a) have not been studied in detail.

Ginsenoside Re inhibits myocardial fibrosis by regulating miR-489/myd88/NF-κB pathway.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is an advanced pathological manifestation of many cardiovascular diseases, which can induce heart failure and malignant arrhythmias. However, the current treatment of MF lacks specific drugs. Ginsenoside Re has anti-MF effect in rat, but its mechanism is still not clear.

Extracellular vesicles mediate biological information delivery: A double-edged sword in cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a severe ischemic disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Maladaptive cardiac remodeling is a series of abnormalities in cardiac structure and function that occurs following myocardial infarction (MI). The pathophysiology of this process can be separated into two distinct phases: the initial inflammatory response, and the subsequent longer-term scar revision that includes the regression of inflammation, neovascularization, and fibrotic scar formation.

Polydatin protects against atherosclerosis by activating autophagy and inhibiting pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Polydatin is a bioactive ingredient extracted from the roots of the Reynoutria japonica Houtt, and it is a natural precursor of resveratrol. Polydatin is a useful inhibitor of inflammation and acts as a regulator of lipid metabolism. However, the specific mechanisms of action of polydatin in atherosclerosis (AS) remains poorly explained.

Citalopram in the treatment of elderly chronic heart failure combined with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Depression is an independent factor to predict the hospitalization and mortality in the chronic HF patients. Citalopram is known as an effective drug for depression treatment. Currently, there is no specific recommendation in the HF guidelines for the treatment of psychological comorbidity.

Efficacy of Fufang E'jiao Jiang in the Treatment of Patients with Qi and Blood Deficiency Syndrome: A Real-World Prospective Multicenter Study with a Patient Registry.

Objective: This nationwide, multicenter prospective observational study with a patient registry was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Fufang E'jiao Jiang (FEJ) in Chinese patients with Qi and blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS).

Methods: QBDS patients were consecutively recruited from 81 investigational sites in China from July, 2019, to December, 2020. Patients who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled in a prospective registry database.

Plasma homocysteine levels and risk of congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Although observational studies have demonstrated associations between elevated plasma homocysteine levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, controversy remains.

Objective: This study investigated the causal association of plasma homocysteine levels with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy risk.

Methods: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study of congestive heart failure ( = 218,792), cardiomyopathy ( = 159,811), and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy ( = 187,152).

The Role of miRNA in the Regulation of Angiogenesis in Ischemic Heart Disease.

Despite continued improvements in primary prevention and treatment, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most common cause of mortality in both developing and developed countries. Promoting angiogenesis and reconstructing vascular network in ischemic myocardium are critical process of postischemic tissue repair. Effective strategies to promote survival and avoid apoptosis of endothelial cells in the ischemic myocardium can help to achieve long-term cardiac angiogenesis.

Identification of a Novel Angiogenesis Signalling circSCRG1/miR-1268b/NR4A1 Pathway in Atherosclerosis and the Regulatory Effects of TMP-PF In Vitro.

Angiogenesis contributes to plaque instability in atherosclerosis and further increases cardio-cerebrovascular risk. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) and paeoniflorin (PF) combination treatment (TMP-PF) inhibited oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced angiogenesis in vitro.

Association between healthy eating index-2015 and abdominal aortic calcification among US Adults.

Aims: To evaluate the relationship of the healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in US adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). AAC score was measured using the scoring system of Kauppila (AAC-24) and Schousboe (AAC-8).

Gastrodin attenuates renal injury and collagen deposition suppression of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway based on network pharmacology analysis.

Gastrodin has been widely used clinically in China as an antihypertensive drug. However, its effect on hypertensive renal injury is yet to be elucidated. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of gastrodin on hypertensive renal injury and its underlying mechanisms by network pharmacology analysis and validation and .

Quanduzhong capsules for the treatment of grade 1 hypertension patients with low-to-moderate risk: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Duzhong [DZ ( Oliv.)] is regarded as a traditional Chinese medicine with a history dating back more than 2000 years. This herb is considered a nourishing herb in China and is commonly used as a tonic to strengthen muscles and bones, nourish the kidneys and liver, and soothe miscarriages.

Triglyceride-glucose index and estimated 10-year risk of a first hard cardiovascular event.

Background: Whether Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is associated with 10-year risk of a first hard atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event in the United States remains unclear.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the participants, ranged from 40 to 79 years old, were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2018. TyG index was the independent variable and 10-year risk of a first hard ASCVD was the dependent variable.

Association between dietary inflammatory index and atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease in U.S. adults.

Objective: To evaluate the association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among U.S. adults.

Global Trends in Research of Mitochondrial Biogenesis over past 20 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: Mitochondrial biogenesis-related studies have increased rapidly within the last 20 years, whereas there has been no bibliometric analysis on this topic to reveal relevant progress and development trends.

Objectives: In this study, a bibliometric approach was adopted to summarize and analyze the published literature in this field of mitochondrial biogenesis over the past 20 years to reveal the major countries/regions, institutions and authors, core literature and journal, research hotspots and frontiers in this field.

Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection database was used for literature retrieval and dataset export.

[Role of Piezo1 channel in cardiovascular diseases and its research progress in traditional Chinese medicine].

Piezo1 channel is a mechanosensitive ion channel that opens in response to shear stress, tension, torsion and a series of mechanical stimulation and turns them into biological signals. It plays an important role in vascular development, vasoconstriction and vasodilation, formation of arterial and venous valves, blood pressure regulation and red blood cell homeostasis, and thus is closely related to cardiovascular system. Recent studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compounds and their active components can affect Ca~(2+) influx and endothelial cell and platelet function by mediating Piezo1 channel, and regulate thrombosis and endothelial homeostasis, thereby treating cardiovascular diseases.

Light physical activity predicts long-term mortality in individuals with a different cardiovascular health status: a cohort study.

Studies have showed that LIPA seems to be favorably associated with mortality in the general population and illness individuals, but the association between different cardiovascular health status and mortality is not clear.  After adjustment , the HRs of LIPA in individuals with CVRF and CVD from quartiles 2-4 were less than 1, which were 0.78 (95%CI, 0.

Effect of arotinolol on chronic heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Heart failure is the end stage of all cardiovascular diseases, which brings a heavy burden to the global health network. Arotinolol, as a new type of β Receptor blocker, has a good antihypertensive effect. Many clinical trials have observed the clinical efficacy of arotinolol in the treatment of essential hypertension.

Effects of Qingda granule on patients with grade 1 hypertension at low-medium risk: study protocol for a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

Background: Numerous pre-clinical studies showed that Qingda granule (QDG) was effective in treating hypertension. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of QDG in reducing blood pressure among patients with grade 1 hypertension at low-medium risk.

Methods: The study is designed as a randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, non-inferiority clinical trial.

Beneficial effects of folic acid on inflammatory markers in the patients with metabolic syndrome: Meta-analysis and meta-regression of data from 511 participants in 10 randomized controlled trials.

Previous clinical studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of folic acid (FA) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have shown controversial results. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effect of FA on inflammatory marker levels in MetS patients. We screened PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library (from inception to March 2022) to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Panax notoginseng preparation plus aspirin aspirin alone on platelet aggregation and coagulation in patients with coronary heart disease or ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of Panax notoginseng preparations (PNP) containing Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) or Panaxatriol Saponin (PTS) on platelet aggregation and coagulation in the adjuvant treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke (IS). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the combination of PNP and aspirin (ASA) ASA alone for CHD or IS were searched in eight databases. Subgroup analysis was performed according to saponin category.

DRONet: effectiveness-driven drug repositioning framework using network embedding and ranking learning.

As one of the most vital methods in drug development, drug repositioning emphasizes further analysis and research of approved drugs based on the existing large amount of clinical and experimental data to identify new indications of drugs. However, the existing drug repositioning methods didn't achieve enough prediction performance, and these methods do not consider the effectiveness information of drugs, which make it difficult to obtain reliable and valuable results. In this study, we proposed a drug repositioning framework termed DRONet, which make full use of effectiveness comparative relationships (ECR) among drugs as prior information by combining network embedding and ranking learning.