1.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
2.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
3.Myocardial Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Shenfu Injection in Ameliorating Energy Metabolism Remodeling in Rat Model of Chronic Heart Failure
Xinyue NING ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Mengna ZHANG ; Yang GUO ; Zhijia XIANG ; Kun LIAN ; Zhixi HU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):178-186
ObjectiveTo examine the influences of Shenfu injection on the endogenous metabolic byproducts in the myocardium of the rat model exhibiting chronic heart failure, thus deciphering the therapeutic mechanism of the Qi-reinforcing and Yang-warming method. MethodsSD rats were randomly allocated into a control group and a modeling group. Chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome in rats was modeled by multi-point subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, and the rats were fed for 14 days after modeling. The successfully modeled rats were randomized into model, Shenfu injection (6.0 mL·kg-1), and trimetazidine (10 mg·kg-1) groups and treated with corresponding agents for 15 days. The control group and the model group were injected with equal doses of normal saline, and the samples were collected after the intervention was completed. Cardiac color ultrasound was performed. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological morphology, and the serum level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mitochondrial morphological and structural changes of cardiomyocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the metabolic profiling was carried out by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quantitative exactive-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Differential metabolites were screened and identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and other methods, and then the MetaboAnalyst database was used for further screening. The relevant biological pathways were obtained through pathway enrichment analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic value of each potential biomarker for myocardial injury and the evaluation value for drug efficacy. ResultsThe results of color ultrasound showed that Shenfu Injection improved the cardiac function indexes of model rats (P<0.05). The results of HE staining showed that Shenfu injection effectively alleviated the pathological phenomena such as myocardial tissue structure disorder and inflammatory cell infiltration in model rats. The results of ELISA showed that Shenfu injection effectively regulated the serum NT-proBNP level in the model rats. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that Shenfu injection effectively restored the mitochondrial morphological structure. The results of metabolomics showed that the metabolic phenotypes of myocardial samples presented markedly differences between groups. Nine differential metabolites could be significantly reversed in the Shenfu injection group, involving three metabolic pathways: pyruvate metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle (TCA cycle). The results of ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of all metabolites were between 0.75 and 1.0, indicating that the differential metabolites had high diagnostic accuracy for myocardial injury, and the changes in their expression levels could be used as potential markers for efficacy evaluation. ConclusionShenfu injection significantly alleviated the damage of cardiac function, myocardium, and mitochondrial structure in the rat model of chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome by ameliorating energy metabolism remodeling. Reinforcing Qi and warming Yang is a key method for treating chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome.
4.Cryo-lift-out Technique for Cryo-electron Tomography of Tissue Samples
Chang-Dong QIN ; Qiang GUO ; Ning GAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1503-1519
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) enables the determination of high-resolution three-dimensional structures of macromolecular complexes within cells in a near-physiological state, providing crucial structural insights into fundamental life processes. Cryo-ET has achieved landmark successes in single-cell models. However, many critical biological processes do not occur in isolated cells but emerge from intercellular coordination within tissues. Furthermore, many research subjects, including neural tissues, tumor biopsies, plant tissues, and clinical pathological samples, cannot be obtained through single-cell culture and must be directly dissected from organisms or tissue blocks. Advancing cryo-ET from single-cell to tissue-level applications is therefore crucial for capturing the full complexity of biological activities in their native context. A major technical bottleneck for tissue cryo-ET lies in the preparation of sufficiently thin (<300 nm) lamellae from vitrified tissue specimens. Although high-pressure freezing can vitrify tissues up to 200 µm thick, these samples are far too thick for direct transmission electron microscopy imaging. Among the available thinning methods, cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling has emerged as the most promising approach, as it avoids the mechanical artifacts inherent to cryo-ultramicrotomy. However, conventional on-the-grid cryo-FIB milling is inefficient for thick tissues, requiring excessive milling time and discarding most of the sample. To overcome these limitations, cryo-lift-out has been developed—a technique in which a micromanipulator physically extracts a chunk of interest from deep within the tissue and transfers it to a dedicated grid for final thinning. This approach bypasses the thickness barrier and enables site-specific analysis of internal structures. This review systematically traces the evolution of cryo-lift-out from its origins in materials science to its adaptation for biological tissues. In room-temperature lift-out, reliable attachment is achieved by gas-injection system (GIS)-assisted metal deposition. Transferring this approach to cryogenic conditions proved challenging because precursor gases condense on all cold surfaces, leading to contamination and poor adhesion. The development of copper-assisted redeposition marked a critical turning point: instead of relying on gas deposition, this method uses ion-beam sputtering to deposit copper atoms at the needle-chunk interface, creating a strong, low-contamination bond. This innovation has enabled robust cryo-lift-out workflows and paved the way for serial lift-out, in which multiple consecutive lamellae are prepared from a single tissue chunk, substantially increasing throughput and enabling volumetric imaging. Despite these advances, several technical challenges remain. Curtaining effects caused by uneven chunk surfaces can introduce artifacts into tomograms, requiring careful optimization of milling parameters and protective coating. The cryo-adhesion step still demands precise control of beam angle, needle positioning, and milling depth, making the process highly operator-dependent. Additionally, the choice of grid geometry is critical. Custom-designed grids with double-sided attachment improves stability and offer better compatibility with cryo-ET tilt series. Automation, which has greatly improved room-temperature lift-out, has not yet been achieved for cryo-lift-out due to the complexity of handling heterogeneous biological tissues and the need for real-time adaptation. Future progress will likely focus on integrating cryo-lift-out with volume electron microscopy to correlate ultrastructure across scales, developing intelligent control systems to reduce user intervention, and extending the technology to challenging samples such as plant tissues and some material science samples for interface study. A systematic analysis of the cryo-lift-out technique clarifies the key limiting factors for its large-scale application and lays a foundation for methodological refinement and technological innovation. By consolidating recent advances and identifying remaining bottlenecks, this review aims to support the broader adoption of cryo-lift-out and accelerate the development of tissue-scale in situ structural biology.
5.Massive hemorrhagic abscess in the omental bursa caused by gallbladder perforation with bleeding: A case report
Xiande GUO ; Ao WANG ; Yanan ZHANG ; Ning LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1388-1390
Subacute cholecystitis complicated by gallbladder perforation often manifests as inflammatory lesions around the gallbladder, and it is extremely rare for this condition to cause massive hemorrhage into the omental bursa with secondary infection and result in massive hemorrhagic abscess. This article reports a case of a female patient, aged 68 years, who experienced massive hemorrhagic abscess in the omental bursa due to localized perforation and bleeding caused by a stone impacted in the gallbladder neck. The patient had a history of gallstones for 30 years and was admitted to Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, after tertiary referral due to aggravated abdominal pain, chills, and fever. After comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team, the patient underwent emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy and clearance of the hemorrhagic abscess in the omental bursa. The patient recovered well and was discharged on day 10 after surgery, with good conditions during follow-up.
6.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
7.Development and practice of the Beijing model for clinical supply of RhD-negative red blood cells
Weidong ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Yucheng GUO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(8):1136-1140
Objective: To establish a supply model for RhD-negative red blood cells that meets the clinical blood safety needs of Beijing, and to systematically address the challenges of timeliness and safety in rare blood type supply. Methods: Data on the distribution of RhD-negative red blood cells from 2021 to 2025 were retrieved from the management information system of Beijing Red Cross Blood Center. A retrospective analysis was conducted on supply-demand characteristics, blood type distribution, quarterly fluctuations and key difficulties. On this basis, a hierarchical supply mechanism covering demand assessment, appointment response, overall inventory planning and regional coordination was constructed and continuously optimized in practice. Results: A total of 15 295 units of RhD-negative red blood cells were distributed in the past five years, with an A∶B∶O∶AB ratio of approximately 3∶3∶3∶1. Quarterly demand for each blood type fluctuated significantly. Following the implementation of the hierarchical supply mechanism, the supply of RhDnegative red blood cells remained stable and orderly. The response time for massive emergency blood demand was significantly improved, and the fulfillment rate of non-emergency appointment demand remained high. Zero RhD conversion and zero blood wastage of RhD-negative red blood cells were achieved during the blood support for major events. Conclusion: The Beijing model effectively addresses the difficulties and risks associated with RhD-negative red blood cell supply in megacities with highly concentrated high-quality medical resources and provides a replicable practical reference for other major cities.
8.Cost-Effectiveness of Inclisilan Injection in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Bing FENG ; Ning GAO ; Shengnan GAO ; Mengna NIU ; Shan GUO ; Guoqiang LIU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):466-472
Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of inclisiran injection treatment in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease(ASCVD)in China.Methods From the perspective of China's health system,according to the Markov model,patients with ASCVD were divided into inclisilan injection group and placebo group,and both groups were treated with convention-al lipid-lowering drugs.The study period was 25 years.The rate parameters,cost parameters,and effectiveness parameters were de-rived from the ORION-18 trial and other literature.Effects were expressed as quality-adjusted life-years(QALYs).The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER)was used to evaluate the economy of inclisilan injection.One-way sensitivity analysis and probabil-ity sensitivity analysis were used to verify the reliability of the results.Results The treatment effect of the inclisilan injection group was higher(10.02 QALYs),and the cost of the placebo group was lower(255 179 yuan).The ICER of the two groups was 137 850 yuan per QALY gained,and using 257 094 yuan per capita by 2022 as the threshold,the treatment would be economically advantageous.Sensitivity analysis supported this result.Conclusion At present,the additional use of inclisilan injection can get a better treatment effect,and it has economic advantages under the threshold of three times GDP per capita in China.
9.Role of CHMP4C in gastric cancer development through regulating necroptosis and its action mechanism
Qi-ning GUO ; Ya-ping LI ; Li PEI ; Long-chen YU ; Zheng-dong LUO ; Rui ZHAO ; Zhong-fang NIU ; Xin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(2):125-133
Objective:Exploring the role and mechanism of CHMP4C in regulating necroptosis during gastric can-cer development and progression.Method:The expression of CHMP4C in pan-cancer was analyzed by bioinformatics methods,and the expression of CHMP4C was detected in human normal gastric epithelial cells and GC cell lines by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Overexpression or knockdown of CHMP4C was performed in GC cell lines,and the effects of CHMP4C on the growth and proliferation of GC cells were detected using CCK-8 and clone formation assays.The CCK-8 experiment and Hoechst/PI double staining experiment were used to detect the changes in GC cell mortality and PI positive cell ratio after treatment with the necroptsis inducer TSZ or inhibitor necrostatin-1(Nec-1).Western blot assay was used to detect the protein and phosphorylation levels of RIPK1,RIPK3,and MLKL in GC cells.Result:CHMP4C was upregulated in GC tissues and cells.The CCK-8 and clone formation experiments showed that overex-pression of CHMP4C significantly improved the proliferation ability and colony formation efficiency of GC cells,while knockdown of CHMP4C significantly weakened GC cells.Moreover,the results of CCK-8 and Hoechst 33342/PI double staining experiments showed that upregulated CHMP4C could inhibit TSZ induced GC cell death;Nec-1 can reverse the decrease in GC cell viability caused by CHMP4C knockdown.Western blot experiment showed that the levels of p-RIPK1,p-RIPK3,and p-MLKL were significantly decreased in overexpressing cells,while they were increased in knockdown cells.After treatment with Nec-1,the expression levels of these three proteins decreased in knockdown cells.Conclusion:CHMP4C may promote GC progression by negatively regulating necroptosis through inhibiting the phosphorylation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway,suggesting that it is expected to be a potential target for GC therapy.
10.The Influence of Boundary Condition Changes of Inner and Outer Walls of Osteon on Fluid Flow Characteristics:A Finite Element Study
Weilun YU ; Xiuying LIU ; Qiong WANG ; Yuan YAO ; Yubo GUO ; Ning QU ; Xiaogang WU ; Haoyu FENG ; Zhiqiang LI
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(3):656-662
Objective To explore the characteristics of fluid flow within loaded osteons under different boundary conditions.Methods The COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to establish a three-dimensional(3D)finite element model of osteons with different boundary conditions,and the variation rules of pore pressure and flow velocity of osteons under different inner wall pulsating blood pressures and outer wall elastic constraint conditions were analyzed.Results As the pulsatile blood pressure inside the osteon increased from 0 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)to 300 mmHg,the peak pore pressure within the osteon correspondingly increased from 26 kPa to 68 kPa.As the elastic constraint on the outer wall of osteons changed from being completely elastic to completely constrained,the peak pore pressure within osteons increased from 15 kPa to 26 kPa,and the peak flow velocity increased from 0.04 um/s to 0.07 um/s.Conclusions This study reveals the influence laws of changes in boundary conditions such as the pulsatile blood pressure on the inner wall and the elastic constraint on the outer wall of osteons on fluid flow characteristics within loaded osteons.These findings are conducive to a deeper understanding of the mechanical response mechanisms of bone tissues in both physiological and pathological states,and provide an important theoretical basrs for further researches on bone mechanotransduction.


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