Rejuvenation research最新文献

Sudden deafness poses a significant threat to patients' quality of life, yet effective indicators for evaluating its onset and prognosis remain elusive. The inner ear is primarily supplied by the labyrinthine artery, which lacks collateral circulation. Changes in coagulation function and hemorheology can cause spasm or thrombosis of the labyrinthine artery, leading to ischemia, hypoxia, and microcirculation disorders in the inner ear, ultimately resulting in sudden deafness. This retrospective study examined 196 patients with sudden deafness, utilizing the 2015 Chinese guideline for diagnosis and treatment classification. Coagulation system analysis used the STA-R Evolution automatic coagulation analyzer, measuring activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and fibrinogen (FIB). Plasma lactate concentration was determined using a Johnson and Johnson Fusion 5.1 model plasma lactate detector. Results of the study revealed a correlation between the degree of hearing loss and disease prognosis. Patients with higher grade hearing loss exhibited elevated plasma lactate levels upon admission compared with those with lower grade hearing loss. Importantly, elevated plasma lactate levels at admission served as predictive indicators for treatment outcomes. In addition, patients with ineffective treatment demonstrated a more coagulable blood state, as evidenced by the lower APTT (ineffective treatment: 31.47 ± 4.55 seconds, effective treatment: 35.17 ± 5.38 seconds) and PT on admission, but higher plasma FIB. In conclusion, plasma lactate levels upon admission hold promise as prognostic markers for sudden deafness treatment outcomes, providing valuable insights for clinical management.

Recently, natural herbs have gained increasing attention owing to their comparatively low toxicity levels and the abundance of historical medical documentation regarding their use. Nevertheless, owing to a lack of knowledge regarding these herbs and their compounds, attempts to find those that could be beneficial for treating diseases have often been ad hoc; thus, there is now a growing demand for an in silico method to identify beneficial herbs. In this study, we present a computational approach for identifying natural herbs specifically effective in treating cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) sufferers, which analyzes the similarities between herbal compounds and known drugs targeting AD-related proteins. Our in silico method suggests that Corydalis ternata can improve cognitive decline in AD sufferers. Behavioral tests with an AD mouse model for the confirmation of the in silico prediction reveals that C. ternata significantly alleviated the cognitive decline (memory and motor functions) caused by neurodegeneration. Further pathology analyses reveal that C. ternata decreases the level of Aβ plaques, reduces neuroinflammation, and promotes autophagy flux, and thus C. ternata can be clinically effective for preventing mild cognitive impairment during the early stages of AD. These findings highlight the potential utility of our in silico method and the potential clinical application of the identified natural herb in treating and preventing AD.

Astragali radix (AR) and anemarrhenae rhizoma (AAR) are used clinically in Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF), but the exact therapeutic mechanism is unclear. In this study, a total of 60 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups, namely sham, model, AR, AAR, and AR-AAR. In the sham group, the chest was opened without ligation. In the other groups, the chest was opened and the transverse aorta was ligated to construct the transverse aortic constriction model. After 8 weeks of feeding, mice were given medicines by gavage for 4 weeks. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were detected by echocardiography. Heart weight index (HWI) and wheat germ agglutinin staining were used to evaluate cardiac hypertrophy. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to evaluate myocardial fibrosis. The content of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The content of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected by immunoturbidimetry. The mechanism of AR-AAR in the treatment of CHF was explored by proteomics. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of complement component 1s (C1s), complement component 9 (C9), and terminal complement complex 5b-9 (C5b-9). The results show that AR-AAR inhibits the expression of complement proteins C1s, C9, and C5b-9 by inhibiting the production of IgG antibodies from B cell activation, which further inhibits the complement activation, attenuates myocardial fibrosis, reduces HWI and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, improves cardiomyocyte injury, reduces serum BNP release, elevates LVEF and LVFS, improves cardiac function, and exerts myocardial protection.

Since the association between frailty and difficulty in finding venous access (VA) is largely unexplored and unclear in geriatrics, the aim of this study is to demonstrate how multidimensional frailty is associated with bad VA in a population of older hospitalized people. Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), based on eight different domains usually assessed in comprehensive geriatric assessment, was used for identifying multidimensional frailty; VA heritage was investigated using a questionnaire prepared by a trained nurse, based on clinical experience. Overall, 145 patients were included (mean age 78.6 ± 7.6; males 51.0%). Frailer people, identified as an MPI >0.66 (MPI 3), had a significantly higher presence of bad VA (49.0% vs. 27.3% in MPI 3 and MPI 1 groups, p = 0.045), no success at first attempt (49.0% vs. 22.7% in MPI 3 and MPI 1 groups, p = 0.03), reported more frequently pain during VA attempts (63.3% in MPI 3 vs. 27.3 in MPI 1, p = 0.002), and significantly higher scores in the Numeric Rating Scale compared to their robust counterparts. Taking robust participants in MPI 1 as reference, after adjusting for potential confounders, frailer people (MPI 3) were at increased odds of bad VA (odds ratio [OR] = 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-6.41; p = 0.02), not success at first attempt (OR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.09-12.57; p = 0.04), and presence of pain during VA attempt (OR = 4.26; 95% CI: 1.30-13.92; p = 0.02). In conclusion, our study demonstrated an association between multidimensional frailty and bad VA in a population of older hospitalized people.

Cardiac aging is defined as mitochondrial dysfunction of the heart. Vitamin D (VitD) is an effective agent in ameliorating cardiovascular disorders. In this study, we indicated the protective effects of VitD against cardiac aging. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (CONT), D-galactose (D-GAL): aged rats induced by D-GAL, D-GAL + Ethanol: aged rats treated with ethanol, and D-GAL + VitD aged rats treated with VitD. Aging was induced by D-GAL at 150 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks. Aged rats were treated with VitD (D-GAL + VitD) by gavage for 8 weeks. The serum samples were used to evaluate biochemical factors, and heart tissues were assessed to determine oxidative stress and gene expression. The D-GAL rats exhibited cardiac hypertrophy, which was associated with decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, enhanced oxidative marker, and changes in the expression of mitochondrial genes in comparison with the control rats. Co-treatment with VitD ameliorated all these changes. In conclusion, VitD could protect the heart against D-GAL-induced aging via enhancing antioxidant effects, and the expression of mitochondrial genes.

Despite current literature pointing to a link between shortened telomeres and aging, chronic diseases, and geriatric syndromes, the precise implications of this connection remain unclear. The aim of this exploratory, cross-sectional, observational study was to investigate the association between the relative telomere length (RTL) of peripheral blood leukocyte subtypes (mononuclear cells and granulocytes) and physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in older adults. A cohort of 95 participants was recruited, which included men and women aged over 60 years (70.48 ± 5.5 years). It was found that mononuclear cell RTL was significantly lower than that of granulocytes (p < 0.0001). Moreover, individuals with good SPPB performance exhibited lower mononuclear cell RTL compared with those with moderate or poor performance. However, no significant differences were observed in granulocyte RTL between different SPPB performance groups. The global SPPB score showed an inverse correlation with mononuclear cell RTL, but this correlation was not present with granulocyte RTL. Similarly, the SPPB sit-to-stand domain correlated with mononuclear cell RTL, but no such correlation was found with granulocyte RTL. Our findings challenge conventional expectations, suggesting that shorter mononuclear cell RTL may be associated with favorable functional capacity. The variations in RTL between mononuclear cells and granulocytes highlight their distinct biological roles and turnover rates. A history of immune responses may influence mononuclear cell RTL dynamics, while telomerase activity may protect granulocyte RTL from significant shortening. The unexpected associations observed in mononuclear cell RTL emphasize the complex interplay between immune responses, cellular aging, and functional capacity in older adults.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with reduced cardiac function and impaired quality of life. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is emerging as a potential adjunctive therapy. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of combination of BFR and isometric exercises on cardiac function, functional status, and quality of life in HFrEF patients. Totally 44 patients with HFrEF were equally divided into a control group and a combined treatment group. Both groups received standard pharmacotherapy and upper limb exercise, with the combined group also undergoing BFR and isometric exercise training. We assessed demographic and clinical characteristics, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, cardiac function parameters, serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide levels, physical capacity via the 6-minute walking test, and quality of life using the Heart Failure Questionnaire (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire). Post-treatment, the combined group significantly improved in NYHA classification (p = 0.012), with more patients shifting to a better class. Cardiac function improved in both groups, with the combined group showing a greater increase in mean left ventricular ejection fractions (p < 0.001), and reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (p < 0.05). The addition of BFR training to standard pharmacotherapy with upper limb exercise in HFrEF patients led to significant enhancements in cardiac function, functional status, and quality of life. These findings support the integration of BFR training into conventional HFrEF treatment regimens to maximize patient recovery outcomes.