Objective To investigate the ameliorative effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Fuling Yin on heart failure and its potential mechanisms at the mitochondrial level. Methods Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=15) and a modeling group (n=75) using a random number table method. A chronic heart failure model was established in the modeling group by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin hydrochloride. One rat from the blank control group and five rats from the modeling group were randomly selected to verify the success of modeling. After confirming that the model was successfully established, the rest successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, positive drug (trimetazidine) group, and Fuling Yin low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (n=14 per group). Treatment groups were administered the respective drugs via gavage daily, while the blank control group and model group received an equal volume of pure water for 4 consecutive weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Heart weight index (HWI) was calculated. Serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were detected by JC-1 fluorescence probe and colorimetric assay, respectively. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and key proteins of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were determined by Western Blot. Results Compared with the blank control group, the HWI and serum BNP levels in the model group were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the HWI and serum BNP levels in Fuling Yin groups were decreased (P<0.01). Pathological and ultrastructural observations showed disordered myocardial fiber arrangement, mitochondrial swelling, and cristae rupture in the model group; whereas in the Fuling Yin groups, myocardial pathological injury was alleviated, mitochondrial swelling was reduced, and membrane structure tended to be intact. Regarding mechanism indicators, compared with the model group, the myocardial ATP content increased, the red fluorescence intensity of MMP enhanced, and the mPTP opening degree decreased in the Fuling Yin groups (P<0.01). Additionally, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased, and caspase-3 protein expression was downregulated (P<0.01). Furthermore, PGC-1α protein expression was upregulated, while the expression of MAPK proteins was downregulated (P<0.01). Conclusions Fuling Yin can alleviate myocardial injury and delay ventricular remodeling in doxorubicin-induced heart failure rats. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the PGC-1α/MAPK signaling pathway to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, thereby inhibiting mitochondria-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of Yidantong recipe retained enema combined with external application of Jinhuang powder on non-severe acute pancreatitis (NSAP). MethodsA total of 134 patients with NSAP, admitted to the Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu from September 2019 to August 2022 were included in this retrospective cohort study. All patients received routine Western medicine treatment, and they were divided into a observation group (n=66) and a control group (n=68) based on whether they underwent treatment of Yidantong recipe retained enema combined with external application of Jinhuang powder. The variables including incidence of adverse clinical outcome events, severity scores after treatment, the recovery time of flatus and bowel movement, duration of fasting food and water, scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and numerical value of blood indices before and after treatment, and the treatment effect of the two groups were statistically analyzed. ResultsCompared with that of the control group, the incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) of the observation group was lower (P<0.05), and the reduction before and after treatment of APACHEⅡ score, BISAP score and Ranson score in the observation group was more than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with that of the control group, the recovery time of flatus and bowel movement and duration of fasting food and water of the observation group was shorter (P<0.05). The reduction before and after treatment of the scores of TCM syndromes (abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and bitter taste) and numerical value of blood amylase (AMY), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alanine aminotransferase (AST) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the observation group were more than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with that of the control group (83.33%), the total effective rate of the scores of TCM syndromes (95.59%) of the observation group was higher (P<0.05).ConclusionYidantong recipe retained enema combined with external application of Jinhuang powder in the treatment of NSAP is effective by combining with routine Western medicine.
