Correlation between serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) levels and coronary artery stenosis

Background and aimsTo study the correlation between the level of serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.Methods and resultsIn 2018, general data and biochemical indexes of 311 patients who underwent coronary angiography were recorded. Before procedure, arterial blood was drawn and the concentrations of DKK1, retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) were measured. Based on coronary angiography results, subjects were divided into a coronary heart disease (CHD) group; and a non-coronary heart disease (non-CHD)group. The CHD group was divided into three subgroups: the low Gensini score; the middle Gensini score; and the high Gensini score subgroups. Compared with those of the non-CHD group, DKK1, RBP4 and PAI-1 of the CHD group were significantly higher, while the OC was lower.DKK1,RBP4 and PAI-1 levels of the middle and high Gensini subgroups were significantly higher, compared with that of the low Gensini subgroup. Differences between osteocalcin (OC), beta-isomerized C-terminal telopeptidase (β-CTX), and 25(OH)₂D₃ of the three subgroups were not significant.Correlation between DKK1 and the inflammatory factors, RBP4 and PAI-1, was positive. Correlation between DKK1 and β - CTX, 25(OH)₂D₃ and OC was not significant. DKK1 was a risk factor for CHD. The degree of coronary artery stenosis was related to DKK1 concentration.ConclusionsSerum DKK1 levels in coronary heart disease patients were significantly higher, and positively correlated with the degree of coronary artery stenosis. DKK1 level is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease.     

涤痰汤加味方对血管性痴呆大鼠行为学及PKA/CREB 信号通路的影响

目的研究涤痰汤加味方对血管性痴呆(VD)大鼠行为学、大鼠海马PKA/CREB信号通路的影响。方法将120只雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白组和造模组,空白组20只,造模组100只,空白组予普通饲料喂养,造模组以高脂饲料喂养复合颈总动脉结扎制作VD模型,将模型制作成功大鼠随机分为模型组、多奈哌齐组、活血组、涤痰汤原方组、涤痰汤加味组,每组18只,空白组和模型组每天灌胃等量的生理盐水,其他组给予相应药物连续灌胃4周。采用水迷宫检测大鼠的行为学,采用ELISA和Western Blot法检测大鼠海马区PKA/CREB信号通路相关因子表达。结果与空白组比较,模型组大鼠发现平台时间和游泳总路程明显增加(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,各给药组大鼠发现平台时间和游泳总路程均减少(P<0.05,P<0.01)。与涤痰汤原方组比较,活血组发现平台时间和游泳总路程增多(P<0.05,P<0.01),涤痰汤加味组发现平台时间和游泳总路程减少(P<0.05)。与空白组比较,模型组大鼠穿越平台次数、目标象限时间均明显减少(P<0.01),首次抵达平台时间明显延长(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,多奈哌齐组大鼠穿越平台次数增加(P<0.05),首次抵达平台时间明显缩短(P<0.01);涤痰汤原方组、涤痰汤加味组和活血组大鼠穿越平台次数、目标象限时间均增加(P<0.05,P<0.01),首次抵达平台时间明显缩短(P<0.01)。与空白组比较,模型组大鼠海马组织中环磷腺苷(cAMP)、蛋白激酶A(PKA)、环磷腺苷效应元件结合蛋白(CREB)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、神经生长因子(NGF)含量均明显降低(P<0.01);与模型组比较,各给药组大鼠海马组织内cAMP、PKA、CREB、BDNF、NGF含量均增高(P<0.05,P<0.01)。与涤痰汤原方组比较,活血组大鼠海马中cAMP、PKA、CREB、BDNF、NGF含量均减少(P<0.05,P<0.01),而涤痰汤加味组大鼠海马中cAMP、PKA、CREB、BDNF、NGF含量均增加(P<0.05)。结论涤痰汤加味可以改善VD模型大鼠的学习记忆能力,其机制可能与其激活海马PKA/CREB信号通路有关。     

Protective effects of 4-geranyloxy-2,6-dihydroxybenzophenonel on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB and NF-κB signaling pathways

Hypericum sampsonii Hance has traditionally been used to treat enteritis and diarrhea. As one of the main benzophenones isolated from H. sampsonii, 4-geranyloxy-2,6-dihydroxybenzophenonel (4-GDB) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. However, the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of 4-GDB in ulcerative colitis (UC) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the role of 4-GDB in UC using a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model. Intragastric administration of 4-GDB (20 mg/kg/day) for 8 days significantly attenuated colonic injury, reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators, and improved colonic barrier function in mice with colitis. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that 4-GDB could activate cAMP/PKA/CREB and inhibit the NF-κB pathway. Collectively, 4-GDB may be a potential agent for treating UC by regulating the cAMP/PKA/CREB and NF-κB pathways.