1.Pleiotropic prodrugs for both symptomatic and disease-modifying treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Anže MEDEN ; Neža ŽNIDARŠIČ ; Damijan KNEZ ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Ziwei XU ; Huajing YANG ; Weiting ZHANG ; Anja PIŠLAR ; Andrej PERDIH ; Simona Kranjc BREZAR ; Neža GRGUREVIČ ; Stane PAJK ; Haopeng SUN ; Stanislav GOBEC
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4807-4828
The inherent complexity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and failed clinical trials have spiked the interest in multifunctional ligands that target at least two key disease-associated macromolecules in AD pathology. Here we present a focused series of pleiotropic N-carbamoylazole prodrugs with dual mechanism of action. Pseudo-irreversible inhibition of the first therapeutic target, human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE), enhances cholinergic transmission, and thereby provides symptomatic treatment, same as the standard therapeutics in use for AD. Simultaneously, this step also functions as a metabolic activation that liberates a nanomolar selective α 2-adrenergic antagonist atipamezole, which blocks pathological amyloid β (Aβ)-induced and noradrenaline-dependent activation of GSK3β that ultimately leads to hyperphosphorylation of tau, thus achieving a disease-modifying effect. Lead compound 8 demonstrated long-term pseudo-irreversible hBChE inhibition, metabolic activation in human plasma, blood-brain barrier permeability, and p.o. bioavailability in mice. Multi-day in vivo treatment with 8 in an Aβ-induced AD murine model revealed a significant alleviation of cognitive deficit that was comparable to rivastigmine, the current drug of choice for AD therapy. Furthermore, decreased GSK3β activation and lowered tau phosphorylation were observed in APP/PS1 mice. This surpasses the symptomatic-only treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors, as it directly blocks an essential pathological cascade in AD. Therefore, these multifunctional α 2-adrenergic antagonists-butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors, exemplified by lead compound 8, present an innovative, small molecule-based, disease-modifying approach to treatment of AD.
2.TFE3-rearranged perivascular epithelioid cell tumors: a clinicopathological analysis of eight cases
Yang QIN ; Li YANG ; Huajing ZHANG ; Jie WEI ; Yixiong LIU ; Wenhui ZHANG ; Zhu WEN ; Zhe WANG ; Linni FAN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(8):822-829
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic characteristics of TFE3-rearranged perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa).Methods:Eight cases of PEComa with TFE3 rearrangement diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2014 to July 2022 were collected. Three were consultation cases and 5 were collected from our hospital; 7 cases were resection specimens and 1 case was a needle biopsy specimen. Routine histolopathological analysis, immunohistochemical staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the next-generation sequencing were performed. Clinical data were collected and the prognosis was assessed.Results:The 8 patients consisted of 5 females and 3 males with a median age of 45 years (ranged from 25 to 65 years). The tumor location included 1 uterus, 1 liver, 1 urachus, 2 kidneys, 1 abdominal cavity, 1 colon, and 1 retroperitoneum (3 subsequent recurrences in the abdominal cavity, pelvis and ovary, and abdominal cavity, respectively). Morphologically, the tumor cells were uniform and epithelioid with translucent or eosinophilic cytoplasm. They were arranged in nests or sheets, most of which were separated by thin-walled blood vessels. There were no papillary structures, and no overt smooth muscle or fat components. Atypical features were seen in 3 cases, with bizarre nuclei and tumor giant cells. Large areas of necrosis were visible, and mitosis was common (up to 28/50 HPF). Melanin deposition was present in 3 cases. Immunohistochemical staining showed diffuse and strong positivity for TFE3 in 8/8 cases and for HMB45 in 6/8 cases; focal positivity for Cathepsin K and Melan-A in 6/8 cases and for SMA in 2/8 of cases. All cases were negative for CKpan, PAX8 and Desmin. TFE3 gene break-apart was detected by FISH in all 8 cases, 4 of which underwent next-generation sequencing, and it revealed that 2 cases presented with SFPQ::TFE3 fusion, 1 case with ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusion, and 1 case with no chimeric fusion. Seven cases were followed up for 4—94 months. All cases were alive; 4 cases were disease-free, 2 cases showed recurrence, and 1 case had metastasis at initial diagnosis.Conclusions:TFE3-rearranged PEComa has unique histomorphological, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics. The biological behavior is aggressive, which could lead to recurrence and metastasis, and warrants close clinical follow-up.
3.Efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, positive-controlled clinical trial
Gong CHEN ; Wen OUYANG ; Ruping DAI ; Xiaoling HU ; Huajing GUO ; Haitao JIANG ; Zhi-Ping WANG ; Xiaoqing CHAI ; Chunhui WANG ; Zhongyuan XIA ; Ailin LUO ; Qiang WANG ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Yanjuan HUANG ; Zhibin ZHAO ; Saiying WANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(2):135-139
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.
4.Differential Analysis of Erythrocyte Flexibility of PbK173 Artemisinin-sensitive Strains
Hongying ZHOU ; Wenhui XU ; Miyi YANG ; Hang SHI ; Lanfang LI ; Guihua YU ; Canghai LI ; Huajing WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):95-103
ObjectiveTo detect the flexibility differences of Plasmodium berghei K173 (PbK173)-infected red blood cells with varying degrees of sensitivity to artemisinin-based drugs and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms of the differences. MethodA total of 102 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups, with 30 mice each in the control group and PbK173-resistant (PbK173-R) group, and 42 mice in the PbK173-sensitive (PbK173-S) group. Except for the control group, the rest groups were vaccinated with 1×107 PbK173-S/PbK173-R infected red blood cells to establish a mouse malaria model. During the administration and recovery periods (control group, PbK173-R/PbK173-S), dihydroartemisinin (DHA, 40 mg·kg-1) and malaridine (MD, 6 mg·kg-1) were administered continuously for four days. Peripheral blood was taken from the PbK173-S/PbK173-R groups with an infection rate equal to or greater than 20%. Peripheral blood and each organ were taken on the first day at the end of administration (dosing period) and on the fifth day at the end of administration (recovery period), and blood parameters and organ indices of each group were examined. The osmotic fragility of peripheral blood red blood cells in each group was detected using the red blood cell osmotic fragility test. Western blot was applied to determine the levels of Piezo1 and Band3 proteins in the red blood cell membrane. ResultDuring the administration and recovery periods, there were no significant differences between the PbK173-S MD group and the DHA group. During the administration period, there were no significant differences in hematological parameters between PbK173-S and PbK173-R in the MD group. However, during the recovery period, the red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit of the PbK173-R group were significantly higher than those of the PbK173-S group (P<0.05) in the MD group. Compared with that of the control group, the osmotic fragility of the PbK173-S/PbK173-R groups was significantly enhanced (P<0.01), and the osmotic fragility of the PbK173-S group was significantly stronger than that of the PbK173-R group (P<0.01). The osmotic fragility of red blood cells in the PbK173-S group during the administration period was significantly stronger than that in the control group and PbK173-R group during the administration period (P<0.01). The osmotic fragility of red blood cells in the PbK173-R group during the recovery period was significantly higher than that in the control group during the administration period and the PbK173-S group during the recovery period (P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the Piezo1 protein and Band3 protein in the red blood cell membrane of the PbK173-S group were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with those in the PbK173-R group, the Piezo1 protein and Band 3 protein in the red blood cell membrane of the PbK173-S group were significantly reduced. ConclusionThe flexibility of PbK173-infected red blood cells with different sensitivities to artemisinins differed. Plasmodium-infected red blood cells significantly reduced the levels of Piezo1 and Band3 proteins in the red blood cell membrane, and the erythrocyte flexibility exhibited a decreasing trend in the following order: normal group, PbK173-R group, and PbK173-S group.
5.Establishment of Poly (I∶C)-induced Cytokine Storm Model in Mice and Intervention Effect of Artesunate and Qingfei Paidu Decoction
Hang SHI ; Hongying ZHOU ; Lanfang LI ; Guihua YU ; Hui CHENG ; Canghai LI ; Huajing WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(12):94-103
ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of artesunate (ART) and Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPD) on the mouse model of cytokine storm (CS) induced by viral mimic Poly (I∶C). MethodEighty-four SPF male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups, with 12 mice in each group. Mice, except for those in the blank group (n=12), were subjected to CS model induction by tail vein injection of Poly (I∶C) at 15 mg·kg-1, followed by drug treatments of low-dose ART (ART-l, 10 mg·kg-1), medium-dose ART (ART-m, 20 mg·kg-1), high-dose ART (ART-h, 40 mg·kg-1), Qingfei Paidu Decoction (QFPD, 2.4 g·kg-1), and dexamethasone (DXM, 10 mg·kg-1). After 6 hours, lung tissues, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), spleen, lung, and peripheral blood were collected. The lung and spleen indexes were calculated and the number of inflammatory cells in BALF was detected. The pathological changes in lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 in BALF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of immune cells in BALF and peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. ResultThe analysis of lung and spleen indexes showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased lung and spleen indexes to varying degrees (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ART groups showed reduced spleen index (P<0.05) and the ART-l group showed reduced lung index (P<0.05). Additionally, the QFPD group showed reduced lung and spleen indexes (P<0.05). ELISA results showed that except for TNF-α, the levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the model group increased compared with those in the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ART-l group and the QFPD group showed reduced content of TNF-α (P<0.05), and all groups with drug intervention showed reduced content of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05). The number of inflammatory cells in BALF showed a downward trend in the model group, and the number of cells increased in the groups with drug intervention except for the DXM group (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed decreased number of CD3 in the peripheral blood (P<0.05), increased Ly-6G and F4/80 (P<0.05), decreased expression of CD45, CD3, and F4/80 in BALF (P<0.05), and increased expressions of Ly-6G (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ART groups and QFPD group showed increased CD45 content in peripheral blood (P<0.05), decreased Ly-6G and F4/80 content (P<0.05), increased CD45 and F4/80 content in BALF (P<0.05), and decreased expression of Ly-6G (P<0.05). ConclusionART and QFPD have a good protective effect on Poly (I∶C)-induced CS in mice, and the mechanism is related to the effective intervention in immune cell disorder.
6.Relationship between depression, anxiety, stress and food addiction in primary and secondary school students
XU Huajing, SU Liyan, ZHANG Xujun, WANG Li, YANG Yaming
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(12):1775-1779
Objective:
To explore the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress and food addiction among primary and secondary school students in Yixing City, so as to provide reference and suggestions for maintaining healthy eating behavior and psychological health intervention and promotion among primary and secondary school students in Yixing City.
Methods:
From December 2022 to February 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 4 180 primary and secondary school students from four primary and secondary schools in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and related behavior questionnaires. The data was analyzed using χ 2 test, Wilcoxon, Kruskal Wallis H rank sum test, and binary Logistic regression.
Results:
The prevalence of food addiction among primary and secondary school students in Yixing City was 0.98% (41 students), and there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of food addiction, depression, anxiety, and stress scores among students of different genders and age groups ( Z/H = -1.34- 5.74, P >0.05). There was a positive correlation between food addiction and binge eating behavior, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms ( r=0.14-0.23, P <0.01). The results of binary Logistic regression showed that anxiety ( OR=5.68, 95%CI =1.74- 18.55 ) and stress ( OR=5.41, 95%CI =2.20-13.32) were positively correlated with the occurrence of food addiction in primary and secondary school students ( P <0.01).
Conclusions
The risk of food addiction among primary and secondary school students with anxiety and stress symptoms is higher than that of the general population. Guidance and intervention on student mental health should cover the entire compulsory education and high school period, in order to improve the mental health level of students and reduce the occurrence of food addiction behavior.
7.The effect and mechanism of epigallocatechol gallate combined with trastuzumab on the proliferation of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells
Bixia LEI ; Mengyao ZHANG ; Xiaorui CHEN ; Beibei LIANG ; Wei XIE ; Huajing WANG ; Bohua LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice 2022;40(2):136-142
Objective To study the effect and mechanism of epigallocatechol gallate (EGCG) combined with trastuzu-mab on the proliferation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing breast cancer cells. Methods Trastuzumab was expressed and purified. The cell proliferation of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells BT474 and SK-BR-3 treated with trastuzumab, EGCG, or trastuzumab plus EGCG was evaluated by CCK8 assay. The effects of EGCG and trastuzumab on the expression of HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase B (Akt), and their phosphorylated proteins in BT474 breast cancer cells were detected by Western blot. Results The results of cell proliferation assay indicated that EGCG and trastuzumab, alone or in combination, effectively inhibited the proliferation of BT-474 and SK-BR-3 cells. And within a certain concentration range, EGCG and trastuzumab showed a synergistic proliferation inhibitory effect on HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. Consistent with these results, Western blot results showed that trastuzumab and EGCG, alone or in combination significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of Akt, MAPK, EGFR, and HER2 in BT474 cells. Moreover, the inhibition effect of EGCG plus trastuzumab was significantly more potent than either EGCG or trastuzumab. Conclusion EGCG and trastuzumab could synergistically inhibit the proliferation of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells, which may be related to the regulation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathways.
8. Effects of antimalarial drugs on mitochondrial respiration in erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7
Ji MA ; Huajing WANG ; Shuo LI ; Tingting QIN ; Canghai LI ; Tingliang JIANG ; Ji MA ; Zhao CUI ; Huajing WANG ; Shuo LI ; Tingting QIN ; Canghai LI ; Tingliang JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2020;25(11):1201-1213
AIM: The Seahorse XFe96 analyzer was used to evaluate the effects of thirteen types of international first-line antimalarial drugs in six categories on the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (P. falciparum 3D7). METHODS: The antimalarial activity of in vitro drugs acting on P. falciparum 3D7 was evaluated using the three-day inhibition method and SYBR Green I fluorescence analysis method. MACS technology was used to separate and purify P. falciparum 3D7. The mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of Seahorse XF analysis system was used to characterize the bioenergy of P. falciparum 3D7 mitochondria at different times to investigate the effects of antimalarial drugs on mitochondrial aerobic respiration of Plasmodium falciparum. RESULTS: The results of flow cytometry showed that the Plasmodium of trophozoite stages was enriched successfully. The results of in vitro antimalarial activity evaluation showed that, except for the antimalarial drug proguanil (Pro), the other twelve antimalarial drugs were all of the nmol/L level against P. falciparum 3D7. The results of the mitochondrial aerobic respiration showed that the five concentrations of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and chloroquine (CQ) (0.4, 1, 5, 10, 50×IC
9.Identification of a novel GPR143 mutation in a Chinese family affected with X-linked ocular albinism.
Qi ZHAO ; Menglong GUAN ; Ling WANG ; Yong LIAO ; Jesse LI-LING ; Huajing WAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2017;34(2):224-227
OBJECTIVETo detect mutation of GPR143 gene in a Chinese patient affected with ocular albinism.
METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and his parents. The coding regions of the GPR143 gene were subjected to PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.
RESULTSA previously unreported mutation (c.758T>A) was found in exon 6 of the GPR143 gene in the proband and his mother. The same mutation was not found in his father. As predicted, the mutation has resulted in a stop codon, causing premature termination of protein translation.
CONCLUSIONA novel mutation of the GPR143 gene related to X-linked ocular albinism has been identified.
Adult ; Albinism, Ocular ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Eye Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation
10.Application of CD10,desmin and vimentin in differential diagnosis of special types of uterine tumors
Li LI ; Zhaojun WANG ; Huajing ZHANG ; Pengfei DOU ; Tengzhou ZHANG ; Guanhua CHE
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2017;24(15):2289-2291
Objective To study the application value of CD10,desmin and vimentin in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of special types of uterine tumors.Methods The clinical data of 79 cases of special types of uterine cancer were retrospectively analyzed.CD10,desmin and vimentin were detected respectively by immunohistochemical streptavidin-perosidase(SP) method.Results The positive rates of CD10 in endometrial stromal sarcoma,epithelioid leiomyoma,atypical leiomyoma,leiomyosarcoma,carcinosarcoma were 76.2%,0.0%,13.3%,30.8%,75.0%,respectively.The positive rates of vimentin in endometrial stromal sarcoma,epithelioid leiomyoma,atypical leiomyoma,leiomyosarcoma,carcinosarcoma were 100.0%,5.6%,0.0%,46.2%,83.3%,respectively.The positive rates of desmin in endometrial stromal sarcoma,epithelioid leiomyoma,atypical leiomyoma,leiomyosarcoma,carcinosarcoma were 0.0%,61.1%,53.3%,30.8%,0.0%,respectively.The positive rates of vimentin and CD10 in endometrial stromal sarcoma and carcinosarcoma were all significantly higher than those in atypical leiomyoma,epithelioid leiomyoma(CD10:χ2=23.255,13.829,15.880,8.102,all P=0.000;vimentin:χ2=35.159,36.000,15.556,16.440,all P=0.000).The positive rates of desmin in atypical leiomyoma,epithelioid leiomyoma tissues were significantly higher than those in endometrial interstitial sarcomas,carcinosarcoma(χ2=11.480,6.717,17.875,9.097,all P=0.000).Conclusion CD10,desmin and vimentin can be used as sensitive indicators for the differential diagnosis of uterine tumors with special types.


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