1.Establishment and Evaluation of New Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis Combined with Interstitial Lung Disease
Liting XU ; Qingyu ZHAO ; Chao YANG ; Lianhua HE ; Congcong SUN ; Shuangrong GAO ; Lili WANG ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):81-90
ObjectiveTo establish a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) in DBA/1 mice using Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) infection combined with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and to comprehensively evaluate pathological characteristics in joints, lungs, and serum. MethodsForty DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., Control, Pg infection (Pg), CIA, and Pg infection combined with CIA (Pg+CIA), with 10 mice in each group. Arthritis clinical symptoms were evaluated by recording arthritis incidence and clinical scores. Micro-CT scanning was used to assess knee joint pathology. Histopathological changes and collagen deposition in knee joints and lung tissues were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), typeⅠ collagen (ColⅠ), and fibronectin (FN) in lung tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR)was used to measure mRNA expression levels of α-SMA, ColⅠ, FN, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in lung tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of Pg, cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), and immunoglobulin G (IgG). ResultsJoint lesions: The CIA and Pg+CIA groups showed 100% arthritis incidence, with evident joint redness, swelling, and deformity. The number of affected limbs was 27 and 28, and clinical scores were 68 and 70, respectively. No obvious clinical symptoms were observed in the Pg group. Histopathological and imaging analyses showed severe joint lesions in the CIA and Pg+CIA groups, with significantly increased histopathological scores, bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number compared to the Control group (P<0.01). No obvious joint pathology was observed in the Pg group. Lung lesions: The Pg+CIA group exhibited marked alveolar inflammation, interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, and alveolar wall thickening, with pronounced blue staining of collagen fibers. Histopathological scores and collagen area ratios were significantly higher than those of the Control, Pg, and CIA groups (P<0.05). Lung protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA, ColⅠ, and FN were markedly increased, and mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly elevated compared to the Control group (P<0.05). Serology: The Pg+CIA group showed significantly higher levels of CCP, Pg, and IgG compared with the Control, Pg, and CIA groups (P<0.05). ConclusionDBA/1 mice subjected to Pg infection combined with CIA exhibited pronounced symptoms and pathological features of RA-ILD, along with elevated serum anti-CCP antibody levels. This model represents a novel RA-ILD mouse model, providing a valuable experimental tool for investigating RA-ILD pathogenesis and developing new therapeutics, and serves as a basis for establishing anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-positive RA-ILD animal models.
2.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
3.Pharmacokinetic Differences of Seven Components in Different Phases of Banxia Xiexintang in Rats
Chao HE ; Siyi LIU ; Mingyun WANG ; Qi WANG ; Jingwen ZHOU ; Tong ZHANG ; Yiqiong PU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):215-222
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of phases on the pharmacokinetic behavior of seven components from Banxia Xiexintang(BXT) in normal rats by investigating and comparing their pharmacokinetic profiles in different phase samples. MethodsThe phase separation of BXT was carried out by centrifugation-dialysis method, and three phase samples were obtained, including the precipitated phase(PP), colloidal phase(CP) and true solution phase(TP). A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into BXT, PP, CP and TP groups(n=6). The BXT group was gavaged at a dose of 24.1 g·kg-1(calculated by the dosage of raw materials). After proper treatments, PP, CP and TP groups were administrated at the same dose as that of BXT group, respectively. Blood was collected from each group at set time points after gavage of BXT and the phase samples. The contents of 7 components(baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, berberine, palmatine, ammonium glycyrrhizinate and isoliquiritin) in rat plasma were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), and the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component were analyzed by DAS 2.0. ResultsThe peak concentration of baicalin was the highest among the blood-entered components in each group, followed by wogonoside. The results of the concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters of the 7 components showed that the area under the concentration-time curve(AUC) of isoliquiritin in the BXT group was the highest, followed by that in the CP group. AUC values of baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the BXT group were similar to those of the CP group, and AUC of palmatine in the BXT group was similar to that of the PP group. The elimination half-life(t1/2) values of baicalin and wogonoside in the BXT group was the longest, the t1/2 values of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and berberine were similar to those of the CP group, and the t1/2 of palmatine was similar to that of the PP group. The t1/2 of wogonin was the longest in the PP group, and the t1/2 of isoliquiritin was the longest in the TP group was the longest, which was similar to that in the PP group. Except for isoliquiritin, the other 6 components showed double peaks in the concentration-time curve of the PP group, indicating that the above components might be reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation in vivo, which resulted in the maintenance of high plasma concentrations for a long time, and consequently exhibited sustained-release properties. ConclusionThe pharmacokinetic characteristics of the components in different phases were different, and the CP phase may be the effective phase from the perspective of the pharmacological action of BXT. Compared with the BXT group, the in vivo action times of some components in the CP and PP groups were prolonged. The study explores the phase differences of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compound decoction in the aspect of pharmacokinetics, and verifies that the phase states from TCM compound decoction will affect the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the active components, which may consequently lead to the difference in in vivo effects.
4.Pharmacokinetic Differences of Seven Components in Different Phases of Banxia Xiexintang in Rats
Chao HE ; Siyi LIU ; Mingyun WANG ; Qi WANG ; Jingwen ZHOU ; Tong ZHANG ; Yiqiong PU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):215-222
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of phases on the pharmacokinetic behavior of seven components from Banxia Xiexintang(BXT) in normal rats by investigating and comparing their pharmacokinetic profiles in different phase samples. MethodsThe phase separation of BXT was carried out by centrifugation-dialysis method, and three phase samples were obtained, including the precipitated phase(PP), colloidal phase(CP) and true solution phase(TP). A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into BXT, PP, CP and TP groups(n=6). The BXT group was gavaged at a dose of 24.1 g·kg-1(calculated by the dosage of raw materials). After proper treatments, PP, CP and TP groups were administrated at the same dose as that of BXT group, respectively. Blood was collected from each group at set time points after gavage of BXT and the phase samples. The contents of 7 components(baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin, berberine, palmatine, ammonium glycyrrhizinate and isoliquiritin) in rat plasma were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), and the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component were analyzed by DAS 2.0. ResultsThe peak concentration of baicalin was the highest among the blood-entered components in each group, followed by wogonoside. The results of the concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters of the 7 components showed that the area under the concentration-time curve(AUC) of isoliquiritin in the BXT group was the highest, followed by that in the CP group. AUC values of baicalin, wogonoside, wogonin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the BXT group were similar to those of the CP group, and AUC of palmatine in the BXT group was similar to that of the PP group. The elimination half-life(t1/2) values of baicalin and wogonoside in the BXT group was the longest, the t1/2 values of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and berberine were similar to those of the CP group, and the t1/2 of palmatine was similar to that of the PP group. The t1/2 of wogonin was the longest in the PP group, and the t1/2 of isoliquiritin was the longest in the TP group was the longest, which was similar to that in the PP group. Except for isoliquiritin, the other 6 components showed double peaks in the concentration-time curve of the PP group, indicating that the above components might be reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation in vivo, which resulted in the maintenance of high plasma concentrations for a long time, and consequently exhibited sustained-release properties. ConclusionThe pharmacokinetic characteristics of the components in different phases were different, and the CP phase may be the effective phase from the perspective of the pharmacological action of BXT. Compared with the BXT group, the in vivo action times of some components in the CP and PP groups were prolonged. The study explores the phase differences of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compound decoction in the aspect of pharmacokinetics, and verifies that the phase states from TCM compound decoction will affect the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the active components, which may consequently lead to the difference in in vivo effects.
5.Mid-long term follow-up reports on head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma in children
Chao DUAN ; Sidou HE ; Shengcai WANG ; Mei JIN ; Wen ZHAO ; Xisi WANG ; Zhikai LIU ; Tong YU ; Lejian HE ; Xiaoman WANG ; Chunying CUI ; Xin NI ; Yan SU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(1):62-69
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and to summarize the mid-long term efficacy of Beijing Children′s Hospital Rhabdomyosarcoma 2006 (BCH-RMS-2006) regimen and China Children′s Cancer Group Rhabdomyosarcoma 2016 (CCCG-RMS-2016) regimen.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 137 children with newly diagnosed head and neck RMS at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2013 to December 2021 were collected. Clinical characteristic of patients at disease onset and the therapeutic effects of patients treated with the BCH-RMS-2006 and CCCG-RMS-2016 regimens were compared. The treatments and outcomes of patients with recurrence were also summarized. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-Rank test was used for comparison of survival rates between groups.Results:Among 137 patients, there were 80 males (58.4%) and 57 females (41.6%), the age of disease onset was 59 (34, 97) months. The primary site in the orbital, non-orbital non-parameningeal, and parameningeal area were 10 (7.3%), 47 (34.3%), and 80 (58.4%), respectively. Of all patients, 32 cases (23.4%) were treated with the BCH-RMS-2006 regimen and 105 (76.6%) cases were treated with the CCCG-RMS-2016 regimen. The follow-up time for the whole patients was 46 (20, 72) months, and the 5-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for the whole children were (60.4±4.4)% and (69.3±4.0)%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group than in BCH-RMS-2006 group ((73.0±4.5)% vs. (56.6±4.4)%, χ2=4.57, P=0.029). For the parameningeal group, the 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group (61 cases) than in BCH-RMS-2006 group (19 cases) ((57.3±7.6)% vs. (32.7±11.8)%, χ2=4.64, P=0.031). For the group with meningeal invasion risk factors, the 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group (54 cases) than in BCH-RMS-2006 group (15 cases) ((57.7±7.7)% vs. (30.0±12.3)%, χ2=4.76, P=0.029). Among the 10 cases of orbital RMS, there was no recurrence. In the non-orbital non-parameningeal RMS group (47 cases), there were 13 (27.6%) recurrences, after re-treatment, 7 cases survived. In the parameningeal RMS group (80 cases), there were 40 (50.0%) recurrences, with only 7 cases surviving after re-treatment. Conclusions:The overall prognosis for patients with orbital and non-orbital non-parameningeal RMS is good. However, children with parameningeal RMS have a high recurrence rate, and the effectiveness of re-treatment after recurrence is poor. Compared with the BCH-RMS-2006 regimen, the CCCG-RMS-2016 regimen can improve the treatment efficacy of RMS in the meningeal region.
6.Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related T-cell-mediated rejection increases the risk of perioperative graft loss after liver transplantation.
Li PANG ; Yutian LIN ; Tao DING ; Yanfang YE ; Kenglong HUANG ; Fapeng ZHANG ; Xinjun LU ; Guangxiang GU ; Haoming LIN ; Leibo XU ; Kun HE ; Kwan MAN ; Chao LIU ; Wenrui WU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1843-1852
BACKGROUND:
Pre-transplant exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly increases the risk of allograft rejection after liver transplantation (LT); however, whether ICI-related rejection leads to increased graft loss remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between ICI-related allograft rejection and perioperative graft loss.
METHODS:
This was a retrospective analysis of adult liver transplant recipients with early biopsy-proven T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) at Liver Transplantation Center of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from June 2019 to September 2024. The pathological features, clinical characteristics, and perioperative graft survival were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Twenty-eight patients who underwent early TCMR between June 2019 and September 2024 were included. Based on pre-LT ICI exposure, recipients were categorized into ICI-related TCMR (irTCMR, n = 12) and conventional TCMR (cTCMR, n = 16) groups. Recipients with irTCMR had a higher median Banff rejection activity index (RAI) (6 vs . 5, P = 0.012) and more aggressive tissue damage and inflammation. Recipients with irTCMR showed higher proportion of treatment resistance, achieving a complete resolution rate of only 8/12 compared to 16/16 for cTCMR. Graft loss occurred in 5/12 of irTCMR recipients within 90 days after LT, with no graft loss in cTCMRs recipients. Cox analysis demonstrated that irTCMR with an ICI washout period of <30 days was an independent risk factor for perioperative graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 6.540; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067-40.067, P = 0.042).
CONCLUSION
IrTCMR is associated with severe pathological features, increased resistance to treatment, and higher graft loss in adult liver transplant recipients.
Humans
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Liver Transplantation/adverse effects*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Retrospective Studies
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Graft Rejection/immunology*
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
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Adult
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T-Lymphocytes/drug effects*
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Graft Survival/immunology*
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Aged
7.Safety and effectiveness of lecanemab in Chinese patients with early Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from a multidimensional real-world study.
Wenyan KANG ; Chao GAO ; Xiaoyan LI ; Xiaoxue WANG ; Huizhu ZHONG ; Qiao WEI ; Yonghua TANG ; Peijian HUANG ; Ruinan SHEN ; Lingyun CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Rong FANG ; Wei WEI ; Fengjuan ZHANG ; Gaiyan ZHOU ; Weihong YUAN ; Xi CHEN ; Zhao YANG ; Ying WU ; Wenli XU ; Shuo ZHU ; Liwen ZHANG ; Naying HE ; Weihuan FANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Huijun JU ; Yaya BAI ; Jun LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2907-2916
INTRODUCTION:
Lecanemab has shown promise in treating early Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its safety and efficacy in Chinese populations remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and 6-month clinical outcomes of lecanemab in Chinese patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD.
METHODS:
In this single-arm, real-world study, participants with MCI due to AD or mild AD received biweekly intravenous lecanemab (10 mg/kg). The study was conducted at Hainan Branch, Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Patient enrollment and baseline assessments commenced in November 2023. Safety assessments included monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and other adverse events. Clinical and biomarker changes from baseline to 6 months were evaluated using cognitive scales (mini-mental state examination [MMSE], montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA], clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes [CDR-SB]), plasma biomarker analysis, and advanced neuroimaging.
RESULTS:
A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this ongoing real-world study. Safety analysis revealed predominantly mild adverse events, with infusion-related reactions (20.3%, 13/64) being the most common. Of these, 69.2% (9/13) occurred during the initial infusion and 84.6% (11/13) did not recur. ARIA-H (microhemorrhages/superficial siderosis) and ARIA-E (edema/effusion) were observed in 9.4% (6/64) and 3.1% (2/64) of participants, respectively, with only two symptomatic cases (one ARIA-E presenting with headache and one ARIA-H with visual disturbances). After 6 months of treatment, cognitive scores remained stable compared to baseline (MMSE: 22.33 ± 5.58 vs . 21.27 ± 4.30, P = 0.733; MoCA: 16.38 ± 6.67 vs . 15.90 ± 4.78, P = 0.785; CDR-SB: 2.30 ± 1.65 vs . 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.357), while significantly increasing plasma amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) (+21.42%) and Aβ40 (+23.53%) levels compared to baseline.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lecanemab demonstrated a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with early AD. Cognitive stability and biomarker changes over 6 months suggest potential efficacy, though high dropout rates and absence of a control group warrant cautious interpretation. These findings provide preliminary real-world evidence for lecanemab's use in China, supporting further investigation in larger controlled studies.
REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT07034222.
Humans
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Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy*
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Male
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Female
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Aged
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Middle Aged
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Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy*
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Aged, 80 and over
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Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
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Biomarkers
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East Asian People
8.Network pharmacology and animal experiments reveal molecular mechanisms of Cordyceps sinensis in ameliorating heart aging and injury in mice by regulating Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB pathway.
Si-Yi LIU ; Yue TU ; Wei-Ming HE ; Wen-Jie LIU ; Kai-Zhi WEN ; Cheng-Juan LI ; Chao HAN ; Xin-Yu LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1063-1074
This study aims to explore the effects and mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine Cordyceps sinensis(CS) in ameliorating heart aging and injury in mice based on animal experiments and network pharmacology. A mouse model of heart aging was established by continuously subcutaneous injection of D-galactose(D-gal). Thirty mice were randomly assigned into a normal group, a model group, a low-dose CS(CS-L) group, a high-dose CS(CS-H) group, and a vitamin E(VE) group. Mice in these groups were administrated with normal saline, different doses of CS suspension, or VE suspension via gavage daily. After 60 days of treatment with D-gal and various drugs, all mice were euthanized, and blood and heart tissue samples were collected for determination of the indicators related to heart aging and injury in mice. Experimental results showed that both high and low doses of CS and VE ameliorated the aging phenotype, improved the heart index and myocardial enzyme spectrum, restored the expression levels of proteins associated with cell cycle arrest and senescence-associated secretory phenotypes(SASP), and alleviated the fibrosis and histopathological changes of the heart tissue in model mice. From the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),259 active ingredients of CS were retrieved. From Gene Cards and OMIM, 2 568 targets related to heart aging were identified, and 133common targets shared by CS and heart aging were obtained. The Gene Ontology(GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes( KEGG) pathway enrichment revealed that the pathways related to heart aging involved oxidative stress,apoptosis, inflammation-related signaling pathways, etc. The animal experiment results showed that both high and low doses of CS and VE ameliorated oxidative stress and apoptosis in the heart tissue to varying degrees in model mice. Additionally, CS-H and VE activated the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) pathway and inhibited the expression of key proteins in the nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway in the heart tissue of model mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrated based on network pharmacology and animal experiments that CS may alleviate heart aging and injury in aging mice by reducing oxidative stress,apoptosis, and inflammation in the heart via the Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB pathway.
Animals
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Cordyceps/chemistry*
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Mice
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
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NF-kappa B/genetics*
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Aging/genetics*
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Male
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Network Pharmacology
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*
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Heart/drug effects*
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Humans
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Myocardium/metabolism*
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Membrane Proteins/genetics*
9.Dahuang Zhechong Pills delay heart aging by reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Wen-Jie LIU ; Yue TU ; Wei-Ming HE ; Si-Yi LIU ; Liu-Yun-Xin PAN ; Kai-Zhi WEN ; Cheng-Juan LI ; Chao HAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1276-1285
This study aimed to investigate the effect of Dahuang Zhechong Pills(DHZCP) in delaying heart aging(HA) and explore the potential mechanism. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to explore the targets and potential mechanisms of DHZCP in delaying HA. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were conducted with the DHZCP-containing serum to verify key targets and pathways in D-galactose(D-gal)-induced aging of cardiomyocytes. Active components of DHZCP were searched against the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCSMP), and relevant targets were predicted. HA-related targets were screened from the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), and DisGeNET. The common targets shared by the active components of DHZCP and HA were used to construct a protein-protein interaction network in STRING 12.0, and core targets were screened based on degree in Cytoscape 3.9.1. Metaspace was used for Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses of the core targets to predict the mechanisms. Molecular docking was performed in AutoDock Vina. The results indicated that a total of 774 targets of the active components of DHZCP and 4 520 targets related to HA were screened out, including 510 common targets. Core targets included B-cell lymphoma 2(BCL-2), serine/threonine kinase 1(AKT1), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit A(HIF1A). The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that DHZCP mainly exerted its effects via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, HIF-1α signaling pathway, longevity signaling pathway, and apoptosis signaling pathway. Among the pathways predicted by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway was selected for verification. The cell-counting kit 8(CCK-8) assay showed that D-gal significantly inhibited the proliferation of H9c2 cells, while DHZCP-containing serum increased the viability of H9c2 cells. SA-β-gal staining revealed a significant increase in the number of blue-green positive cells in the D-gal group, which was reduced by DHZCP-containing serum. TUNEL staining showed that DHZCP-containing serum decreased the number of apoptotic cells. After treatment with DHZCP-containing serum, the protein levels of Klotho, BCL-2, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT1/AKT1, and HIF-1α were up-regulated, while those of P21, P16, BCL-2 associated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3 were down-regulated. The results indicated that DHZCP delayed HA via multiple components, targets, and pathways. Specifically, DHZCP may delay HA by reducing apoptosis via activating the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology*
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
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Animals
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Rats
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Humans
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Aging/metabolism*
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Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
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Heart/drug effects*
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Network Pharmacology
10.Metabolomics and pharmacokinetics of Corni Fructus in ameliorating myocardial ischemic injury.
Xiang-Feng LIU ; Yu WU ; Chao-Yan YANG ; Hua-Wei LIAO ; Yan-Fen CHEN ; Xin HE ; Ying-Fang WANG ; Jin-Ru LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1363-1376
This study aims to investigate the ameliorating effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on the myocardial ischemic injury and the pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components of CF. The mouse model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia was established and administrated with the aqueous extract of CF. The general efficacy of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury was evaluated based on the cardiac histopathology and the levels of myocardial injury markers: creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTn-I). The metabolomics analysis was carried out for the heart and serum samples of mice to screen the biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury and then the predicted biomarkers were submitted to metabolic pathway enrichment. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for morroniside, loganin, and cornuside Ⅰ in mouse heart and serum samples to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of these components. The pharmacokinetic parameters were then integrated on the basis of self-defined weighting coefficients to simulate an integrated pharmacokinetic profile of CF iridoid glycosides in the heart and serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia. The results indicated that CF reduced the pathological damage to cardiac cells and tissue(hematoxylin-eosin staining) and lowered the levels of CK-MB and cTn-I in the serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia(P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis screed out 31 endogenous metabolites in the heart and 35 in the serum as biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury. These biomarkers were altered by modeling and restored by CF. Six metabolic pathways in the heart and 5 in the serum were enriched based on these metabolic markers. The main integrated pharmacokinetic parameters of CF iridoid glycosides were T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.52±0.05) h in the heart and T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.56±0.50) h in the serum. Both concentration-time curves showed a double-peak phenomenon. In conclusion, CF demonstrated the cardioprotective effect by regulating metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis. The integrated pharmacokinetics reflect the general pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components in CF.
Animals
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Cornus/chemistry*
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Mice
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Metabolomics
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism*
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Humans
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Troponin I/metabolism*
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Myocardium/pathology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism*

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