1.Cyclocarya paliurus Polysaccharide Inhibits Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Reducing 5α-Reductase 2
Qinhui DAI ; Mengxia YAN ; Chen WANG ; Chenjun SHEN ; Chenying JIANG ; Bo YANG ; Huajun ZHAO ; Zhihui ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):107-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of polysaccharide in water extract of Cyclocarya paliurus (CPWP) in inhibiting benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MethodsCPWP was obtained by heating reflux, aqueous extraction, alcohol precipitation, and freeze drying. The chemical composition and structural properties of CPWP were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with 1-pheny-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone pre-column derivatization and infrared spectroscopy. Male SD rats were randomly assigned into control, model, finasteride (ig 5 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (ig 50, 75, 100 mg·kg-1) CPWP groups, with 8 rats in each group. The BPH model was established by subcutaneously injecting propionate testosterone in castrated rats. The rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs, and those in the control group were administrated with an equal volume of normal saline each day. After 30 consecutive days, the rats were sacrificed, and the prostate tissue was separated and weighed. The effects of drug interventions on the body weight, prostate wet weight, and prostate index of rats were examined. The prostate tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) for observation of pathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) and Ki67 in the prostate tissue. ResultsCPWP was identified as a saccharide, with characteristic absorption peaks of saccharides. CPWP showed the total sugar content of 44.15% and molecular weight within the range of 5.5-78.8 kDa, being composed of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose. Compared with the control group, the model group had significantly increased prostate wet weight and prostate index (P<0.01), thick and tall prostate epithelial cells, increased internal wrinkles, papillary expansion into the cavity, an elevation in DHT level in the serum, and up-regulated expression of SRD5A2 and Ki67 in the prostate tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, both the finasteride and CPWP groups showed decreases in prostate wet weight and prostate index (P<0.05, P<0.01), thinned prostate epithelial cells, with only a small portion of internal wrinkles and papillary expansion into the cavity, shortened papillary protrusions, lowered DHT level in the serum, and down-regulated expression of SRD5A2 and Ki67 in the prostate tissue (P<0.01). Moreover, CPWP exerted effects in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionCPWP inhibits BPH by regulating the expression of SRD5A2.
2.Effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique on m6A methylation modification in cortical area of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Xinyu LIU ; Xinchang ZHANG ; Zheng HUANG ; Qianqian LIU ; Yi ZHAO ; Tianliang LU ; Zhihui ZHANG ; Guangxia NI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):670-677
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique (for regaining consciousness and opening orifice) on methylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), and key methyltransferases and demethylases, so as to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).
METHODS:
Of 68 male Sprague-Dawley rats of SPF grade, 15 rats were randomly selected as a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats were subjected to the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture ligation. CIRI was induced by ischemia for 2 h followed by reperfusion. Rats that failed to modeling or died were excluded. The rest 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. model group, acupuncture group, and non-point acupuncture group, with 15 rats in each group. The rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Shuigou" (GV26). In the non-point acupuncture group, acupuncture was delivered at three non-points, located 3 mm below the bilateral midaxillary line and 3 mm lateral to the tip of the coccyx. One intervention was operated in these two acupuncture groups and the needles were retained for 30 min. Before modeling start and 2 h after ischemia, a laser speckle flowmeter was used to monitor the cerebral blood perfusion. In 2 h of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion, the neurological behavioral score was evaluated. The volume of rat cerebral infarction was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and the level of m6A methylation in ischemic cortical area was detected by Dot blot, and the protein and mRNA expression of the demethylase i.e. fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) and key methyltransferases, i.e. methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), and Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) in ischemic cortical area were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR.
RESULTS:
Cerebral blood perfusion decreased by>70% after 2 h ischemia. Compared with the sham-operation group, the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume increased in the model group (P<0.01); the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of FTO decreased (P<0.01), and that of ALKBH5, METTL3, and METTL14 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group. When compared with the model group and the non-point acupuncture group, the acupuncture group showed a decrease in the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume (P<0.01), the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression of FTO was elevated (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique presents its protective effect on the brain in the rats with CIRI, which is related to up-regulating the expression of FTO and modulating m6A methylation.
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
;
Rats
;
Brain Ischemia/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Adenosine/metabolism*
;
Methylation
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Cerebral Cortex/metabolism*
3.A cisplatin prodrug-based self-assembling ozone delivery nanosystem sensitizes radiotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.
Tianyue XU ; Dan ZHENG ; Meixu CHEN ; Linlin SONG ; Zhihui LIU ; Yan CHENG ; Yujie ZHAO ; Liwen HUANG ; Yixuan LI ; Zhankun YANG ; Cong LI ; Biao DONG ; Jing JING ; Hubing SHI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2703-2722
Lacking therapeutic targets highlights the crucial roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To relieve the side effects of the chemoradiotherapy combination regimen, we design and develop a self-assembled micelle nanosystem consisting of perfluorocarbon chain-modified cisplatin prodrug. By incorporating perfluorodecalin, this nanosystem can effectively carry ozone and promote irradiation-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. By leveraging the perfluorocarbon sidechain, the nanosystem exhibits efficient internalization by TNBC cells and effectively escapes from lysosomal entrapment. Under X-ray irradiation, ozone-generated ROS disrupts the intracellular redox balance, thereby facilitating the release of cisplatin in a reduction-responsive manner mediated by reduced glutathione. Moreover, oxygen derived from ozone decomposition enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Notably, the combination of irradiation with ozone-loaded cisplatin prodrug nano system synergistically prompts antitumor efficacy and reduces cellular/systemic toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the combo regimen remodels the tumor microenvironment into an immune-favored state by triggering immunogenic cell death and relieving hypoxia, which provides a promising foundation for a combination regimen of immunotherapy. In conclusion, our nanosystem presents a novel strategy for integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy to optimize the efficacy and safety of TNBC clinical treatment.
4.Identification of HMA gene family and response to cadmium stress in Ophiopogon japonicas.
Zhihui WANG ; Erli NIU ; Yuanliang GAO ; Qian ZHU ; Zihong YE ; Xiaoping YU ; Qian ZHAO ; Jun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):771-790
Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution is one of the major environmental problems globally. Ophiopogon japonicus, a multifunctional plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated potential in environmental remediation. This study investigated the Cd accumulation pattern of O. japonicus under cadmium stress and identified the heavy metal ATPase (HMA) family members in this plant. Our results demonstrated that O. japonicus exhibited a Cd enrichment factor (EF) of 2.75, demonstrating strong potential for soil Cd pollution remediation. Nine heavy metal ATPase (HMA) members of P1B-ATPases were successfully identified from the transcriptome data of O. japonicus, with OjHMA1-OjHMA6 classified as the Zn/Co/Cd/Pb-ATPases and OjHMA7-OjHMA9 as the Cu/Ag-ATPases. The expression levels of OjHMA1, OjHMA2, OjHMA3, and OjHMA7 were significantly up-regulated under Cd stress, highlighting their crucial roles in cadmium ion absorption and transport. The topological analysis revealed that these proteins possessed characteristic transmembrane (TM) segments of the family, along with functional A, P, and N domains involved in regulating ion absorption and release. Metal ion-binding sites (M4, M5, and M6) existed on the TM segments. Based on the number of transmembrane domains and the residues at metal ion-binding sites, the plant HMA family members were categorized into three subgroups: P1B-1 ATPases, P1B-2 ATPases, and P1B-4 ATPases. Specifically, the P1B-1 ATPase subgroup included the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(YN[X]4P), and TM6(M[XX]SS); the P1B-2 ATPase subgroup featured the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(K), and TM6(DKTGT); the P1B-4 ATPase subgroup contained the motifs TM4(SPC) and TM6(HE[X]GT), all of which were critical for protein functions. Molecular docking results revealed the importance of conserved sequences such as CPC/SPC, DKTGT, and HE[X]GT in metal ion coordination and stabilization. These findings provide potential molecular targets for enhancing Cd uptake and tolerance of O. japonicus by genetic engineering and lay a theoretical foundation for developing new cultivars with high Cd accumulation capacity.
Cadmium/metabolism*
;
Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism*
;
Ophiopogon/drug effects*
;
Soil Pollutants/toxicity*
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Stress, Physiological
;
Multigene Family
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
5.One case of myelosuppression caused by pamiparib in combination with temozolomide in the treatment of small cell lung cancer
Yuchen YANG ; Yuting ZHAO ; Shiqi LI ; Jiayu GONG ; Riguga SU ; Yanyan SUN ; Zhihui CAI
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2024;33(7):824-829
A 50-year-old male patient diagnosed with extensive stage small cell lung cancer was treated with pamiparib in combination with temozolomide.Five days later,the patient developed fever with fatigue.After 10 days,the patient stopped taking the drug due to worsening symptoms and was diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression(grade 4).The clinicist evaluated the patient's condition and assessed the association of adverse reactions using the Naranjo's evaluation scale,and concluded that myelosuppression may be induced by the combination of pamiparib and temozolomide.After symptomatic treatment,the patient's myelosuppression recovered completely.This article discusses the correlation between myelosuppression and the combination of the two drugs,provides treatment measures for this situation,briefly describes the risk factors of myelosuppression,treatment and prevention,and guides medical personnel to adjust the treatment plan in time according to different individuals in the process of using similar programs,and strengthens the monitoring and education of adverse drug reactions,so as to provide references for safe drug use.
6.GPR120 mediates mechanism of protective effect of NF-κB and MAPK in regula-ting LTA-induced Mac-T cells
Siqi WANG ; Peiyao ZHOU ; Quanzhou MOU ; Lin WAN ; Xinli LI ; Yang LI ; Xingli HE ; Zhaoyuan WANG ; Zi WANG ; Ziqiang GAO ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Binglei SHEN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(10):2165-2171
Lipophosphatidic acid(LTA)was used to stimulate Mac-T cells,and the expression lev-els and phosphorylation levels of key proteins of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway and the expression levels of upstream key action factors TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were detected by Western blot,and EDU assay was used to detect cell proliferation levels and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis.The results showed that acti-vation of GPR120 significantly decreased the phosphorylation levels of LTA-induced NF-κB(P65 and IκBα)(P<0.01)and MAPK(JNK,ERK,p38)(P<0.01)in Mac-T cells;inhibition of GPR120 was able to upregulate LTA-induced NF-κB(p65 and IκBα)in Mac-T cells(P<0.01)and MAPK(JNK,ERK,p38)phosphorylation levels(P<0.01);and activation of GPR120 significantly allevia-ted LTA-induced upregulation of TLR4 and MyD88(P<0.01);inhibition of GPR120 significantly exacerbated LTA-induced upregulation of TLR4 and MyD88(P<0.05);LTA stimulation led to a trend of diminished Mac-T cell proliferation and significantly increased apoptosis,whereas activa-tion of the GPR120 gene significantly increased cell activity(P<0.01),promoted cell proliferation and significantly reduced apoptosis(P<0.05)thereby alleviating the damage to Mac-T cells by LTA;LTA stimulation led to a highly significant increase in apoptosis(P<0.01).In contrast,acti-vation of the GPR120 gene significantly reversed the increase in the apoptosis rate of Mac-T cells induced by LTA(P<0.01),while inhibition of the GPR120 gene enhanced the apoptosis-promo-ting effect of LTA(P<0.05),indicating that activation of the GPR120 gene attenuated the in-crease of apoptosis rate caused by LTA-induced inflammatory Mac-T cells.The results suggest that GPR120 can regulate inflammation by mediating TLR4 and MyD88 expression to inhibit NF-κB/MAPK inflammatory pathway activation and can promote cell proliferation.
7.Screening and bioinformatics analysis of SNP in PPARGC1B gene of Sichuan Yak
Xuanxu CHEN ; Xinyi JIANG ; Jinghao PENG ; Jing LI ; Fengshuai MIAO ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Haibin YU ; Weizhong LAI ; Ping JIANG ; Ziwei LIN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(10):2179-2189
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma,coactivator 1 beta,PPARGC1B)gene is an intranuclear receptor transcription fac-tor responsible for regulating the expression of target genes.To comprehend the characteristics and mutations of the PPARGC1B gene within the Sichuan yak population,the SNP loci of the PPARGC1B gene were identified through direct sequencing of PCR products.Additionally,the cod-ing region of the PPARGC1B gene was obtained via PCR amplification and sequencing.Bioinforma-tics analyses were conducted to predict protein-coding and mRNA secondary structure.This study identified four exon SNP mutation sites(E9-189A→C,E9-387G→A,E9-542C→T,and E9-554T→C)based on the single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the PPARGC1B gene in Sichuan yaks.Notably,the E9-387G→A and E9-554T→C loci exhibited significant correlations with shear force and backfat thickness in Sichuan yaks.Subsequently,bioinformatics analysis of the four mutation sites revealed that the PPARGC1B protein is an acidic,unstable,non-transmembrane,and non-secretory hydrophilic protein with a coiled helix structure.It lacks a signal peptide and transmembrane region,predominantly functions in the nucleus,and features 106 phosphorylation sites,one glycosylation site,and one conserved RRM structure.The secondary structure comprises mainly α-helix and random coils.Although the protein structure of the PPARGC1B gene remained unchanged post-mutation,there were significant differences in mRNA secondary structure.These findings suggest that the polymorphic loci of the PPARGC1B gene in Sichuan yaks could serve as a theoretical basis for enhancing meat quality traits through molecular biological methods,presen-ting practical applications in breeding.
8.Genetic polymorphism of ACOX1 gene and its correlation with milk quality traits in China Holstein dairy cows
Yurong HAO ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Tao YOU ; Haibin YU ; Guanghui LI ; Ping JIANG ; Ziwei LIN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(10):2260-2265
The SNP loci of ACOX1 gene in 83 China Holstein cows were detected by PCR amplifica-tion and direct sequencing,and the association between the genetic polymorphism loci of ACOX 1 gene and milk quality traits of China Holstein cows was analyzed by SPSS 25.0 software.The re-sults showed that a SNP locus I3-2 267 G→C was found in the third intron of ACOX1 gene,it was moderately polymorphic and in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in the population.By correlation anal-ysis,it was found that the SNP locus was significantly related to the somatic cell content and cor-rected milk quantity of dairy cows.The I3-2 267 G→C locus of ACOX1 gene can be used as a mo-lecular marker of quality traits of Holstein cows in China,and provide reference for the study of quality traits of Holstein cows in China.
9.Polymorphism analysis of PPP1R15A gene in Chinese Holstein cattle and its asso-ciation with milk production traits
Qiwen LU ; Quanheng GUO ; Panpan XU ; Yisan HUANG ; Haibin YU ; Ziwei LIN ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Ping JIANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(11):2458-2462
The gene encoding regulatory subunit 15 A of protein phosphatase 1 produces a protein that is a universally present protein phosphatase in eukaryotic cells.In this study,genomic DNAs were extracted from the blood of 89 Chinese Holstein cows and were used as templates for PCR amplification of the target fragment of the PPP1R15A gene.The product was tested and a polymor-phic site,E3-250T>A was found.The polymorphism of this side and its correlation with milk pro-duction traits in Chinese Holstein cattle were statistically analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software.The findings revealed three genotypes at this site:AA,AT and TT.Cows possessing the AT and TT genotypes exhibited significant differences(P<0.01)in milk fat and solid non-fat content com-pared to those with the AA genotype.While no significant differences were noted for other milk production traits,including milk yield,protein,lactose,somatic cell count,blood urea nitrogen,and corrected milk.The identification of functional SNPs in the PPP1R15A gene provides a theoretical basis for further research and identification of causal variations in the cow PPP1R15A gene.
10.Pulmonary Hypertension in Pulmonary Lymphangiomyomatosis:a Case Report
Lixing HU ; Qin LUO ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Li DENG ; Qing ZHAO ; Zhihong LIU
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(8):819-821
Pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis(LAM)is a rare chronic progressive diffuse cystic lung disease that mainly occurs in women of reproductive age.Pulmonary hypertension is a rare complication of LAM.Currently,there is insufficient evidence on the epidemiology,pathogenesis and treatment strategy of LAM related pulmonary hypertension.We reported a case of a woman at reproductive age with shortness of breath and diagnosed with LAM by the combination of specific lung imaging features and serum vascular endothelial growth factor D.Precapillary pulmonary hypertension was confirmed by right cardiac catheterization.Her condition was stable with Sirolimus and home oxygen therapy.

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