Objective To investigate the induction of autophagy of MDA-MB-468 cells in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by sericin through regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and to clarify the target of action. Methods MDA-MB-468 cells were randomly divided into a control group (without drugs), an experimental group (8 mg·mL ^-1 sericin), and an Akt activator group (8 mg·mL ^-1 sericin + 10 μmol·L ^-1 SC79). After 24 hours treatment with corresponding drugs, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, autophagy effector protein (Beclin1), autophagy associated protein 5 (ATG5), microtubule associated light chain protein3 (LC3) and chelator 1 (P62) in cells of each group were detected by RT qPCR. The protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, Beclin1, ATG5, LC3 and P62 in cells of each group were detected by Western blotting. The localization and fluorescence intensity of LC3 and P62 proteins in cells of each group were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and P62 and the protein levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, and P62 in MDA-MB-468 cells of the experimental group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the mRNA levels of Beclin1, ATG5, LC3 and the protein levels of Beclin1, ATG5, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the experimental group, the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, P62 and the protein levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, P62 in MDA-MB-468 cells of the Akt activator group were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the mRNA levels of Beclin1, ATG5, LC3 and the protein levels of Beclin1, ATG5, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion The induction effect of sericin on autophagy of MDA-MB-468 cells can be achieved by targeting Akt to regulate the transduction of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) on lumbar function, serum levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and substance P (SP) in patients with thoracolumbar compression fractures (TCF). Methods A total of 92 TCF patients who were treated in Xuchang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to May 2022, were collected and randomly divided into two groups, 46 cases in each group. The control group underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), and the observation group underwent PVP. Perioperative indexes, serum levels of PGE2 and SP , imaging parameters (vertebral anterior margin height, vertebral Cobb angle), Oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after operation, and complications were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time, fluoroscopy times and hospitalization days in the observation group were less than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After 7 days of operation, serum levels of SP and PGE2 in two groups were decreased compared with before operation, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After operation, the vertebral anterior margin height and vertebral Cobb angle in the observation group were better than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After operation, there was no significant difference in ODI between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the total incidence of complications between the two groups (10.87% vs 21.74%) (P>0.05). Conclusion PVP therapy in treatment of TCF patients can reduce serum levels of PGE2 and SP, improve lumbar function and promote postoperative recovery.