Background: An important pathogenic mechanism in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is hypothesized to be the pulmonary vascular remodeling, in which cancer-like pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation and perivascular inflammation play an important role. Ginsenoside compound K (G-CK) exhibits anticancer and anti-inflammation properties. However, whether or not G-CK could protect against PAH in rats is still unknown. Objective: The aim was to investigate whether or not G-CK attenuates PAH, if so, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Methods and Results: we established PAH rat models by left pneumonectomy combined with monocrotaline, and PAH rats were treated G-CK in the prevention (on 7 th day) and reversal group (on 21th day) respectively. The weekly body weight, the survival rate, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricle hypertrophy index of prevention group and reversal group improved to varying degrees. Hematoxylin and eosin and elastic Van Gieson staining of lung tissue showed that the increased of wall thickness, vescular occlusion score and the degree of neointimal proliferation in the model group were mitigated by G-CK. Immunohistochemical analysis of Ki67 and α-smooth muscle actin showed that G-CK suppressed proliferation of PASMCs and muscularization compared with model group. Moreover, G-CK inhibited NF-κB/Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signalling and reduced IL-18, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β in lung tissue by western blot.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential predictive significance of pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistant Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: From June 2013 to May 2020, 1,257 eligible patients with KD were included in the present study. The pretreatment PNI was calculated as albumin level (g/L) +5×total lymphocyte count (109/L). The optimal cut-off values for PNI, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were evaluated via a receiver operating curve analysis. The impact of pretreatment PNI, NLR and PLR for IVIG resistant KD were tested with the Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U test, and univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The optimal cut-off values were identified as 49.50 for PNI, 3.58 for NLR and 164.00 for PLR, respectively. Lower pretreatment PNI levels were demonstrated to be associated with lower age, serum sodium levels and platelet counts, and with a higher incidence of IVIG resistance and higher C-reactive protein levels. There was a significantly negative association between the PNI and NLR, and PLR. In the logistic analyses, PNI as independent predictive factors were significantly correlated with IVIG resistance. The discriminatory ability of PNI was not inferior to NLR and PLR for predicting IVIG resistance. Conclusion: Pretreatment PNI could serve as a novel surrogate independent predictor for patients with IVIG resistant KD.