Introduction: The single and combined association between brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has remained unelucidated. This research aimed at exploring the associations between mixture of BFRs and CVD.Methods: This research encompassed adult participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005–2016. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) model and quantile g-computation (QGC) model were applied to examine the combined effects of BFRs mixture on CVD.Results: In this research, overall 7,032 individuals were included. In comparison with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of PBB153 showed a positive association with CVD, with odds ratio (OR) values and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 19.2 (10.9, 34.0). Furthermore, the acquired data indicated that PBB153 (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.49), PBB99 (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.58), and PBB154 (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.63) were linked to congestive heart failure. PBB153 was also related to coronary heart disease (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.56). Additionally, a positive correlation between the BFRs mixture and CVD (positive model: OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.47) was observed in the weighted quantile sum (WQS) model and the quantile g-computation (QGC) model.Discussion: Therefore, exposure to BFRs has been observed to heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults, particularly in the case of PBB153. Further investigation is warranted through a large-scale cohort study to validate and strengthen these findings.

Background: Zhigancao Decoction (ZGCD) is derived from “Treatise on Febrile Diseases” and is traditionally prescribed for treating a variety of cardiovascular conditions. As of now, there are no data to support its use as a treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the mechanism behind the effect is unclear as well. In the present study, clinical evidence for the efficacy of ZGCD in patients with DCM was examined using a meta-analysis and its underlying anti-DCM molecular mechanisms were explored via network pharmacology.Methods: The current study utilized an extensive search strategy encompassing various domestic and foreign databases databases to retrieve pertinent articles published up to June 2024. In light of this, a thorough evaluation of the benefits and safety of Zhigancao decoction (ZGCD) was conducted in this study using RevMan and Stata. Subsequently, a number of active compounds and target genes for ZGCD were gathered from the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases, while the main targets for DCM were obtained from databases such as GenCards, OMIM, TTD, and DrugBank. To select core genes, protein-protein interaction networks were generated using the STRING platform, and enrichment analyses were completed using the Metascape platform.Results: Meta-analysis results were ultimately derived from 9 studies involving 661 patients in total. In comparison with WM therapy alone, the pooled results showed that ZGCD significantly enhanced overall effectiveness. Additionally, the utilization of ZGCD was leading to a reduction in LVEDV, LVESV and LVDD, also a greater increase in LVEF. Meanwhile, the utilization of ZGCD during intervention was more effective in reducing SBP, and DBP. In addition, the ZGCD showed potential in reducing the occurrence of adverse events. In the context of network pharmacology, five constituents of ZGCD—namely lysine, quercetin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol—are posited to exert anti-diabetic cardiomyopathy (anti-DCM) effects through interactions with the molecular targets ASS1, SERPINE1, CACNA2D1, AVP, APOB, ICAM1, EGFR, TNNC1, F2, F10, IGF1, TNNI2, CAV1, INSR, and INS. The primary mechanisms by which ZGCD may achieve its anti-DCM effects are likely mediated via the AGEs/RAGE signaling pathway, as well as through pathways related to lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis.Conclusion: In comparison to WM therapy alone, ZGCD demonstrates greater efficacy and safety in the management of DCM. ZGCD not only significantly reduces blood pressure, but also enhances cardiac function while producing fewer adverse effects. The therapeutic effects of ZGCD on DCM can likely be ascribed to its capacity to modulate the AGEs-RAGE signaling pathway, as well as its efficacy in enhancing lipid metabolism and mitigating atherosclerosis.Systematic Review Registration: identifier (INPLASY202430133).

Chronic heart failure(HF) has become a disease of global concern due to its high morbidity and mortality.This has highlighted the need for cardioprotective agents.The Tonifying Kidney and Activating Blood(KTBA) decoction has been approved for clinical treatment of chronic HF.Tanshinone IIA(Tan IIA), rooted from Salvia miltiorrhiza of KTBA, has been approved for treating cardiovascular conditions.However, the mechanism is still unclear.This study examined the impact of KTBA on cardiomyocyte fibrosis in a rat model of heart failure post-myocardial infarction, induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by exhaustive swimming and starvation. Additionally, the effects of Tan IIA on CCD-841CoN cells were assessed under ischemic conditions in a 37 °C incubator with hypoxic environment (1% O₂, 5% CO₂, and 94% N₂). The investigation employed an integrative approach combining network pharmacology with molecular mechanism analysis.The findings of network pharmacology indicate that KTBA may exert its influence by targeting key proteins such as TNF, AKT1, STAT3, RELA (NF-κB p65), NFκBIA (I-κBα), and MAPK14 (p38α).Results showed that KTBA increased SERCA2a level, lowered collagen I and III, α-SMA, and phospholamban levels, reduced collagen fiber deposition, and delayed mitochondria injury.This cardioprotection effect was perhaps due to suppressing the expressions of p38MAPK, I-κBα, NF-κB, AQP4,AKT, PI3K, TNF-α, and STAT3 and increasing the levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in hippocampus of chronic HF rats, which were partially diminished by SB203580 and PDTC.Additionally, Tan IIA reduced levels of p38MAPK, I-κBα, NF-κB, STAT3, and increased levels of AQP4, Claudin-1, ZO-1, and ZO-2,that were reduced by siRNAs targeting p38MAPK, NF-κB, and AQP4.In conclusion, by modulating the p38MAPK/NF-κB/AQP4 axis, KTBA decoction delays cardiomyocyte fibrosis through alleviating hippocampal blood-brain barrier and Tan IIA improves enterocyte barrier integrity.

Article: Clinical efficacy and mechanism exploration of Tianma Gouteng decoction in improving gestational hypertension by regulating IL-6, NF-kB, and AngII - Minerva Medica 2023 Jul 24 - Minerva Medica - Journals