1.Mechanism of Ethoxysanguinarine in Regulating IRE1/RIDD Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Alleviate Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Zucheng SHANG ; Hongzheng LI ; Mengfan LI ; Wen SUN ; Guosheng LIN ; Aling SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):141-148
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ethoxysanguinarine (ETH) on angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and its regulatory effects of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)/regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress. MethodsWestern blot was used to detect the establishment of the H9c2 model via Ang Ⅱ stimulation, which was identified as a cardiomyocyte apoptosis model. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of ETH on cell proliferation was assessed using the cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) to determine the optimal effective dose of ETH. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into a blank group, a model group (Ang Ⅱ, 1 mmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose ETH groups (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mmol·L-1). Morphological changes in cardiomyocytes induced by Ang Ⅱ were detected using phalloidin staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) staining. The apoptosis cycle was detected by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and IRE1/RIDD pathway-related proteins. ResultsWestern blot results showed that 1 mmol/mL Ang Ⅱ stimulation significantly increased the protein expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and Bid in H9c2 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway, and initiation of the apoptosis process. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in the surface area of H9c2 cells and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes, as well as in both early and late apoptosis rates (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased, while the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the surface area of cardiomyocytes and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in all ETH groups were significantly decreased after drug intervention. Both early and late apoptosis rates were significantly decreased. The expression level of cleaved-Caspase-8 was significantly decreased in the low-dose ETH group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, and cleaved-Caspase-8 were significantly decreased in the medium-dose ETH group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high-dose ETH group significantly reduced the expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly increased the expression level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05). The level of p-IRE1 protein in the medium-dose ETH group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins in the high-dose ETH group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionETH can alleviate Ang Ⅱ-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway and further alleviate the cardiac injury caused by hypertension.
2.Mechanism of Ethoxysanguinarine in Regulating IRE1/RIDD Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Alleviate Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Zucheng SHANG ; Hongzheng LI ; Mengfan LI ; Wen SUN ; Guosheng LIN ; Aling SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):141-148
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ethoxysanguinarine (ETH) on angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and its regulatory effects of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)/regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress. MethodsWestern blot was used to detect the establishment of the H9c2 model via Ang Ⅱ stimulation, which was identified as a cardiomyocyte apoptosis model. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of ETH on cell proliferation was assessed using the cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) to determine the optimal effective dose of ETH. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into a blank group, a model group (Ang Ⅱ, 1 mmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose ETH groups (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mmol·L-1). Morphological changes in cardiomyocytes induced by Ang Ⅱ were detected using phalloidin staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) staining. The apoptosis cycle was detected by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and IRE1/RIDD pathway-related proteins. ResultsWestern blot results showed that 1 mmol/mL Ang Ⅱ stimulation significantly increased the protein expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and Bid in H9c2 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway, and initiation of the apoptosis process. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in the surface area of H9c2 cells and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes, as well as in both early and late apoptosis rates (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased, while the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the surface area of cardiomyocytes and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in all ETH groups were significantly decreased after drug intervention. Both early and late apoptosis rates were significantly decreased. The expression level of cleaved-Caspase-8 was significantly decreased in the low-dose ETH group (P<0.05). The expression levels of Bid, Bax, and cleaved-Caspase-8 were significantly decreased in the medium-dose ETH group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high-dose ETH group significantly reduced the expression levels of Bid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significantly increased the expression level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05). The level of p-IRE1 protein in the medium-dose ETH group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Bip, p-IRE1, and p-RIDD proteins in the high-dose ETH group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionETH can alleviate Ang Ⅱ-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the IRE1/RIDD signaling pathway and further alleviate the cardiac injury caused by hypertension.
3.Discovery of Yersinia LcrV as a novel biased agonist of formyl peptide receptor 1 to bi-directionally modulate intracellular kinases in triple-negative breast cancer.
Yunjun GE ; Huiwen GUAN ; Ting LI ; Jie WANG ; Liang YING ; Shuhui GUO ; Jinjian LU ; Richard D YE ; Guosheng WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3646-3662
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are significant drug targets, but their potential in cancer therapy remains underexplored. Conventional GPCR agonists or antagonists have shown limited effectiveness in cancer treatment, necessitating new GPCR-targeting strategies for more effective therapies. This study discovers that Yersinia pestis LcrV, a crucial linker protein for plague infection, acts as a biased agonist of a GPCR, the formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1). The LcrV protein induces unique conformational changes in FPR1, resulting in G proteins being activated in a distinctive state without subunit dissociation. This leads to a biased signaling profile characterized by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responses and β-arrestin2 recruitment, but not calcium mobilization. In FPR1-expressing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, LcrV bi-directionally modulates intracellular signaling pathways, downregulating extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and Akt pathways while upregulating Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 pathways. This dual modulation results in cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of TNBC cell proliferation. In TNBC xenograft mouse models, long-term LcrV treatment inhibits tumor growth more effectively than a conventional FPR1 antagonist. Additionally, LcrV treatment reprograms tumor cells by reducing stemness-associated proteins OCT4 and c-MYC. Our findings highlight the potential of biased GPCR agonists as a novel GPCR-targeting strategy for cancer treatment.
4.Visualization of the current status and hotspots of sepsis-associated microRNA research
Wei YI ; Lijing ZHU ; Like ZHANG ; Ning SUN ; Zhi LI ; Ping FENG ; Yingying LIU ; Guosheng WU ; Zhaofan XIA
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(4):397-403
Objective To analyze the academic literature on sepsis-related microRNA(miRNA)at worldwide,and to dentify thematic hotspots and future research trends.Methods A bibliometric analysis was employed to retrieve the literature on sepsis-related miRNA published in the core collection of China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and Web of Science(WOS)databases from January 1,2010,to January 1,2025,which met the article inclusion criteria,and used CiteSpace 6.3.1 software to perform the co-occurrence analysis of keywords,keyword emergence analysis,and cluster analysison;on the basis of these analyses,the keywords were sorted according to time to generate clustering time line figure to explore the current status and hotspot evolution process of sepsis-related miRNA.Results A total of 135 and 1 278 articles were retrieved from CNKI and the core collection of WOS databases,respectively.The frequency and centrality of keywords such as sepsis,prognosis,microRNA,acute lung injury,acute kidney injury,etc.were high in 135 documents in CNKI;in 1 278 documents in WOS core collection,the frequency and centrality of keywords such as expression,sepsis,inflammation,cells,micrornas,etc.were high;The top 10 keywords in the CNKI database in terms of burst intensity were:microRNA,inflammatory response,inflammatory factor,interleukin-10,tumor necrosis factor-α,acute respiratory distress syndrome,interleukin-35,septic shock,rat,tiny microRNA-155(miR-155);the top 10 keywords in the core collection of the WOS database in terms of burst intensity were:expression,NF-κB,microRNA,cells,induction,pathway,mechanisms,septic shock,mortality,cancer.Representative clustering tags in the CNKI are#0 prognosis,#1 miRNA,#2 septic shock;The representative clustering labels in the core collection of WOS database are#0 acute lung injury,#1 cancer,#2 septic shock,and so on.In CNKI and WOS core databases,the early keywords mainly revolve around the study of inflammatory factors and related mechanisms of sepsis,and the research center gradually shifts to the clinical physiological injuries as well as complications and mortality in the later stage,miRNA-126,AMP-activated protein kinase,interleukin-35 and other keywords have emerged.Among the top 10 most-cited English literature,researchers have paid particular attention to studying various miRNA as potential biomarkers of sepsis,including miR-146a,miR-223 and miR-146.Conclusions There are similarities and differences in the direction and hotspots of sepsis-related miRNA research in China and abroad.The research paradigm of sepsis has gradually shifted from the early clinical observation focusing on the overall complications and prognosis of patients to the basic research centered on the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory factors and signaling pathways.In this context,the study of miRNA as novel biomarkers for sepsis has been increasingly emphasized,and miRNA represent a promising direction for sepsis research,with potential applications both in basic research and clinical treatment.
5.Concern about the significance and clinical application of urinary iodine test
Pu QIU ; Ying LI ; Yuanyin XI ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Lingquan KONG ; Guosheng REN ; Kainan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(1):20-23
Iodine is an indispensable trace element in the human body and its intake level is closely related to thyroid function. Iodine deficiency or iodine excess will lead to iodine-related diseases. The implementation of the universal salt iodization policy of China has achieved remarkable results, yet it is still facing the problems of iodine deficiency and iodine excess at present. Since iodine in the human body is mainly metabolized by the kidneys and excreted in urine, urinary iodine test has become an effective way to reflect the recent iodine nutrition status of the body. This article will discuss the current iodine nutrition status of the population in China, the hazards of iodine deficiency and iodine excess, as well as the clinical application of urinary iodine test.
6.Enhancing the development of consultation-liaison general practice in the all-round management of concomitant disease of breast cancer
Xiang ZHANG ; Xiaochun CHENG ; Lingquan KONG ; Xintao HUANG ; Yuanyin XI ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Huisheng DENG ; Hongyuang LI ; Guosheng REN ; Kainan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(2):137-140
With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment level, most breast cancer patients survive in a chronic state for a long time, and the issue of concomitant diseases of breast cancer (CDBC) has become increasingly prominent. All-round and full-cycle management of these comorbidities can help improve patients’ quality of life and prognosis. General practice, with its long-term, comprehensive and responsible health care that is person-centered, family-based, community-wide and oriented to the maintenance and promotion of overall health, presents new opportunities for the health management of CDBC. This article will explore the application of consultation-liaison general practice through the integrated general and specialist care in the comprehensive management of CDBC, aiming to raise people’s awareness of it and promote the development of consultation-liaison general practice and the management model of the "Internet plus general practitioner team" , which will surely contribute to the all-round management of concomitant diseases in breast cancer patients.
7.Concern about the prevention and treatment of parathyromegaly
Yuanyin XI ; Pu QIU ; Lingquan KONG ; Yixiao FENG ; Xiang ZHANG ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Hongyuan LI ; Guosheng REN ; Kainan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):482-486
Parathyromegaly refers to chronic enlargement of the parathyroid glands caused by multiple etiological factors. Pathological conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid hyperfunction, parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid cysts, and parathyroid carcinoma may all lead to parathyromegaly. Notably, calcium intake insufficiency and/or vitamin D insufficiency (CVI), which is the predominant etiology of parathyromegaly, now has been recognized as a global public health challenge. Chronic CVI induces negative calcium balance and relative low serum calcium level, stimulating compensatory parathyroid hyperplasia and enlargement. This progression triggers parathyroid hyperfunction and secondary hyperparathyroidism, resulting in bone mass loss, height reduction, kyphosis, osteoporosis, pathological fractures, metastatic vascular calcification and systemic abnormal calcium migration and calcinosis (such as urolithiasis). During the early stages of parathyromegaly, the condition remains preventable and treatable; However, delayed intervention may lead to irreversible tertiary hyperparathyroidism. CVI-associated parathyromegaly exhibits high prevalence and heterogeneous clinical manifestations, representing a critically underrecognized clinical entity. This article will systematically discuss the etiology, pathological characteristics, clinical consequences, and prevention and control strategies for CVI-related parathyromegaly.
8.Different preoperative management of initially diagnosed breast cancer patients with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism: 2 cases analysis and reference review
Yuanyin XI ; Pu QIU ; Lingquan KONG ; Yixiao FENG ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Hongyuan LI ; Guosheng REN ; Kainan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):623-624
Patients with initially diagnosed breast cancer and uncontrolled hyperthyroidism are at high risk of perioperative thyroid crisis. This article reports two cases of early-stage breast cancer initially diagnosed concurrently with uncontrolled primary hyperthyroidism. In Case 1, the patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy to control breast cancer progression while concurrently taking antithyroid drugs to manage hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism was controlled during chemotherapy, and the patient successfully underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Case 2 involved recurrent primary hyperthyroidism with leukopenia after antithyroid drug therapy. Since leukopenia is a relative contraindication for antithyroid drugs, the patient underwent radioactive iodine therapy (iodine-131) and endocrine therapy for one month before proceeding with breast cancer surgery. Through a literature review, this article analyzes preoperative management strategies for uncontrolled hyperthyroidism in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of normalizing thyroid function to prevent thyroid crisis and reduce perioperative risks.
9.Mechanism of auraptene in improving acute liver injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice.
Renyang OU ; Shan HUANG ; Lihong MA ; Zhijie ZHAO ; Shengshan LIU ; Yuanliang WANG ; Yezi SUN ; Nana XU ; Lijun ZHOU ; Mei LI ; Manhong ZHOU ; Guosheng RAO
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(6):590-594
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate whether auraptene (AUR) exerts a protective effect on acute diquat (DQ)-induced liver injury in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
Forty SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group (Control group), DQ poisoning model group (DQ group), AUR treatment group (DQ+AUR group), and AUR control group (AUR group), with 10 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning model was established via a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg DQ aqueous solution (0.5 mL); Control group and AUR group received an equal volume of pure water intraperitoneally. Four hours post-modeling, DQ+AUR group and AUR group were administered 0.5 mg/kg AUR aqueous solution (0.2 mL) by gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days, while Control group and DQ group received pure water. Blood and liver tissues were collected after anesthesia on day 7. Liver ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected using WST-1, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and enzymatic reaction methods, respectively. Protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and activated caspase-9 in liver tissues was analyzed by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Transmission electron microscopy revealed that mitochondria in the Control group exhibited mild swelling, uneven distribution of matrix, and a small number of cristae fractures. In the AUR group, mitochondria showed mild swelling, with no obvious disruption of cristae structure. In the DQ group, mitochondria demonstrated marked swelling and increased volume, matrix dissolution, loss and fragmentation of cristae, and extensive vacuolization. In contrast, the DQ+AUR group showed significantly reduced mitochondrial swelling, volume increase, matrix dissolution, cristae loss and fragmentation, and vacuolization compared to the DQ group. Compared with the DQ group, the DQ+AUR group exhibited significantly lower serum AST levels (U/L: 173.45±23.60 vs. 255.33±41.51), ALT levels (U/L: 51.77±21.63 vs. 100.70±32.35), and hepatic MDA levels (μmol/g: 12.40±2.76 vs. 19.74±4.10), along with higher hepatic GSH levels (mmol/g: 37.65±14.95 vs. 20.58±8.52) and SOD levels (kU/g: 124.10±33.77 vs. 82.81±22.00), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed upregulated Nrf2 expression (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.87±0.37 vs. 0.53±0.22) and HO-1 expression (HO-1/β-actin: 1.06±0.22 vs. 0.49±0.08), and downregulated Keap1 expression (Keap1/β-actin: 0.82±0.12 vs. 1.52±0.76) and activated caspase-9 expression (activated caspase-9/β-actin: 1.16±0.28 vs. 1.71±0.30) in the DQ+AUR group compared to the DQ group (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
AUR attenuates DQ-induced acute liver injury in mice by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Liver/pathology*
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy*
;
Diquat/poisoning*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Apoptosis
;
Coumarins
10.Trauma surgical care in modern naval warfare
Zong SHEN ; Chenru WEI ; Yulu BAO ; Wei LI ; Ping LING ; Guosheng WU ; Yu SUN
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(4):536-539
As a sub-discipline of field surgery,trauma surgery of naval warfare focuses on the treatment of marine casualties,which is the extension and application of field surgical theories and techniques in the context of naval warfare.Informatization and 3-dimension have been the basic features of modern naval warfare.With the extensive use of high-tech weapons,maritime combat styles and security needs have undergone profound changes.The complexity and diversity of marine trauma injuries have created new opportunities and challenges for the development of trauma surgery.This paper analyzes the marine trauma under the conditions of modern warfare,the characteristics of marine trauma surgical care,and the medical evacuation system of casualty care in naval battle,aiming to promote the research of naval medical support and the development of field surgery.

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