Mitochondrial disorder and treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy: Potential and advantages of Chinese herbal medicine

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the main cause of damage to the pathological mechanism of ischemic cardiomyopathy. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction can also affect the homeostasis of cardiomyocytes or endothelial cell dysfunction, leading to a vicious cycle of mitochondrial oxidative stress. And mitochondrial dysfunction is also an important pathological basis for ischemic cardiomyopathy and reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction or end-stage coronary heart disease. Therefore, mitochondria can be used as therapeutic targets against myocardial ischemia injury, and the regulation of mitochondrial morphology, function and structure is a key and important way of targeting mitochondrial quality control therapeutic mechanisms. Mitochondrial quality control includes mechanisms such as mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics (mitochondrial fusion/fission), mitochondrial biosynthesis, and mitochondrial unfolded protein responses. Among them, the increase of mitochondrial fragmentation caused by mitochondrial pathological fission is the initial factor. The protective mitochondrial fusion can strengthen the interaction and synthesis of paired mitochondria and promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. In ischemia or hypoxia, pathological mitochondrial fission can promote the formation of mitochondrial fragments, fragmented mitochondria can lead to damaged mitochondrial DNA production, which can lead to mitochondrial biosynthesis dysfunction, insufficient mitochondrial ATP production, and mitochondrial ROS. Burst growth or loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. This eventually leads to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria. Then, under the leadership of mitophagy, damaged mitochondria can complete the mitochondrial degradation process through mitophagy, and transport the morphologically and structurally damaged mitochondria to lysosomes for degradation. But once the pathological mitochondrial fission increases, the damaged mitochondria increases, which may activate the pathway of cardiomyocyte death. Although laboratory studies have found that a variety of mitochondrial-targeted drugs can reduce myocardial ischemia and protect cardiomyocytes, there are still few drugs that have successfully passed clinical trials. In this review, we describe the role of MQS in ischemia/hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte physiopathology and elucidate the relevant mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in ischemic cardiomyopathy. In addition, we also further explained the advantages of natural products in improving mitochondrial dysfunction and protecting myocardial cells from the perspective of pharmacological mechanism, and explained its related mechanisms. Potential targeted therapies that can be used to improve MQS under ischemia/hypoxia are discussed, aiming to accelerate the development of cardioprotective drugs targeting mitochondrial dysfunction.

Dazhu Hongjingtian Preparation as Adjuvant Therapy for Unstable Angina Pectoris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: Dazhu hongjingtian [DZHJT, Rhodiola wallichiana var. cholaensis (Praeger) S.H. Fu] preparation as an add-on therapy has been applied to the treatment of angina pectoris. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DZHJT as adjuvant therapy for the treatment of unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Emase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP databases from inception to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DZHJT in combination with Western medicine with Western medicine alone were included. Two authors independently performed the literature search, data extraction and risk of bias assessment of included studies, and conducted the statistical analysis. Results: A total of 18 RCTs involving 1,679 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Adjuvant treatment with DZHJT significantly decreased ≥80% reduction in the frequency of angina attacks [risk ratio (RR) 1.57; 95% CI 1.36-1.81], weekly frequency of angina attacks [mean difference (MD) -1.03 times; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.51 to -0.55], marked improved abnormal electrocardiogram (RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.23-1.74). In addition, DZHJT significantly reduced the whole-blood viscosity (MD -0.70 mPa.s; 95% CI -0.84 to -0.55), plasma viscosity (MD -0.28 mPa.s; 95% CI -0.38 to -0.19), serum level of fibrinogen (MD -0.67 g/L; 95% CI -0.79 to -0.54), thromboxanes B2 (MD -14.01 ng/L; 95% CI -20.86 to -7.15), and C-reactive protein (MD -1.48 mg/L; 95% CI -2.72 to -0.25). No significant differences in headache/dizziness (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.31-1.67) were observed between two groups. Conclusion: Adjuvant treatment with DZHJT has an add-on effect in reducing angina pectoris attacks in patients with UAP. The beneficial effect may be correlated with regulating whole-blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, thromboxanes B2, and CRP level. However, future well-designed prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials with large sample sizes are required to evaluate the evidence.

Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Taohong Siwu Decoction () for Patients with Angina Pectoris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of Taohong Siwu Decoction (, TSD), a Chinese herbal compound prescription, in patients with angina pectoris (AP).

METHODS

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing TSD plus conventional treatment (CT) with CT plus placebo or CT only in the patients with AP were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and International Clinical Trial Registry from their inception to March 2017. The primary outcomes include a composite event of death, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and target vessel revascularization. The secondary outcomes include angina symptom, electrocardiogram (ECG) improvement and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The methodological quality of included studies and extracted available data were assessed. RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct statistical analysis. The relative risk (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. A funnel plot was used to evaluate the publication bias.

RESULTS

Among 204 studies identified in the literature search, 12 trials including 959 patients with AP met the inclusion criteria. No studies reported the primary outcome including death, AMI and target vessel revascularization. TSD combined with CT showed significant improvement in relieving angina symptom [RR=3.70, 95% CI (2.42, 5.67)] and ECG [RR=3.20, 95% CI (2.20, 4.65)] compared with CT alone. TSD combined with CT reduced the serum hs-CRP, TG, TC and LDL-C levels compared with CT alone. No serious adverse events were reported in TSD combined with CT.

CONCLUSIONS

TSD combined with CT has a potential benefit on relieving AP without significant adverse events. However, the efficacy on the cardiovascular events needs to be assessed by more rigorously-designed, largescale, and multi-center RCTs in future.

Dazhu Hongjingtian (Herba Rhodiolae) for unstable angina pectoris: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dazhu Hongjingtian (DZHJT), also named Herba Rhodiolae, has been frequently introduced for patients with angina pectoris in China. However, the add-on effect of DZHJT in unstable angina pectoris (UAP) has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this protocol is to provide the methods used to assess the efficacy and safety of DZHJT as adjuvant therapy for management of UAP.

METHODS

We will extensively search for eligible studies in PubMed, Emase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases up to October 2018. Only randomized controlled trials comparing DZHJT in combination with Western medicine vs Western medicine alone were selected.The primary outcomes are above 50% reduction in frequency of angina attacks and weekly frequency of angina attacks reduction. The secondary outcomes are the blood rheology parameters (whole-blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and fibrinogen) and adverse events. We will use RevMan V.5.0 software to perform meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The pooled results will provide a high-quality of evidence of DZHJT as adjuvant therapy in patients with UAP.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide up-to-date evidence to evaluate DZHJT as adjuvant therapy in patients with UAP.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018111885.

Danshen injection as adjuvant treatment for unstable angina pectoris: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Danshen Injection (, DS) as one adjuvant treatment for conventional therapy with Western medicine (WM) for unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

METHODS

Using literature databases, a thorough and systematic retrieval of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DS plus WM with WM was conducted from inception to April 2015. The extracted data from included studies was analyzed by Review Manager 5.2 software. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of included studies, and Begg's and Egger's tests conducted by Stata 12.0 were used to evaluate the potential presence of publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 17 RCTs, which involving 1,433 participants, were identified and reviewed. The meta-analysis indicated that the combined use of DS and WM was significantly superior to WM alone for UAP in terms of the total effectiveness rate of angina pectoris [risk ratio (RR) =1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17, 1.29, P<0.01] and the total effectiveness rate of electrocardiogram (ECG) [RR=1.18, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.30, P=0.001]. Additionally, DS could also further reduce the content of fibrinogen, adjust blood lipid level, correct T wave inversion, and so on. Fifteen adverse drug reactions were reported in two studies, Four of which appeared in the experimental group.

CONCLUSION

Based on the systematic review, the combined use of DS and WM was more effective than WM alone, it can be further widely used in clinic, however, there was no exact conclusion for its safety.

The usefulness of xuefu zhuyu tang for patients with angina pectoris: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (XFZYT) for treating angina pectoris (AP). Methods. Six databases were searched (up to December, 2013). Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficiency of XFZYT plus traditional antianginal medications (TAMs) compared with TAMs alone in patients with AP were included. The outcomes were relief of anginal symptoms (RAS) and improvement of electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Result. Finally 14 RCTs were included. There were evidences that XFZYT combined with TAMs was more effective in improving RAS (RR = 1.29; 95% CI = [1.20, 1.38]), ECG (RR = 1.37; 95% CI = [1.22, 1.54]), and blood HDL-C level (MD = 0.29 mmol/L; 95% CI = [0.23, 0.35]) compared with TAMs alone. Our meta-analysis also showed the pooled number needed to treat (NNT) of the group with stable angina pectoris (SAP) was smaller in improving RAS (4.2 versus 5.7) and ECG (3.1 versus 5.5) compared with the group with both SAP and unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Conclusion. Combination therapy with XFZYT and TAMs is more effective in treating AP compared with TAMs alone. And XFZYT may be a more suitable choice for the treatment of SAP. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the mediocre methodological quality of the included RCTs.