1.Effect of Huanglian Jiedutang in Regulating Ferroptosis in Mice with Atherosclerosis Based on Nrf2/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Zhaohui GONG ; Li GAO ; Huiqi ZHAI ; Jinzi YU ; Qingmin CHU ; Chuanjin LUO ; Lijin QING ; Wei WU ; Rong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):22-28
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT) in treating mice with atherosclerosis (AS) by improving ferroptosis. MethodsA total of 10 SPF C57BL/6J mice were selected as a normal group, and 50 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into five groups: model group, low-dose group of HLJDT, medium-dose group of HLJDT, high-dose group of HLJDT, and atorvastatin (ATV) group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to establish the AS model, and at the 9th week, they were given normal saline, low, medium, and high doses of HLJDT (3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1·d-1), and atorvastatin calcium tablets (0.01 g·kg-1·d-1), respectively, for a total of eight weeks. The formation of aortic plaque in mice was observed by gross oil red O staining and Masson staining. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood fat were measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer, and the mitochondrial structure of the aorta was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The content of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum was detected by the microplate method, and that of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum was detected by the TBA method. The protein expression of nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2 (Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those of the normal group, the contents of TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, and MDA in the serum and the aortic vascular plaque deposition of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression levels of SOD and GSH in serum, as well as Nrf2, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and GPX4 in aorta were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Mice in the model group appeared mitochondrial fragmentation and vacuolation in the aorta, volume atrophy, mitochondrial crista reduction, or a loose and disorganized form. Compared with those in the model group, the aortic vascular plaque deposition was significantly decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of HLJDT and ATV group, and the contents of serum TC, LDL-C, TG, and MDA in serum were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The contents of serum SOD and GSH and the expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the aorta were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the symptoms of aortic mitochondrial vacuolation were alleviated. The number of cristae was increased, and they were ordered neatly. ConclusionHLJDT can reduce aortic vascular plaque deposition, decrease blood lipid and MDA expression, increase SOD and GSH expression, and ameliorate the pathological changes of ferroptosis, the mechanism of which is related to the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.
2.Prevention and Treatment of Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction from the Perspective of "Deficiency Qi Retention and Stagnation"
Yunze LI ; Huiqi ZONG ; Hongxu LIU ; Mingxuan LI ; Xiang LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1273-1276
It is believed that "deficiency qi retention and stagnation" is the fundamental pathogenesis of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients often have severe coronary vessel congestion before PCI, leading to emptiness in the heart's collaterals, which results in deficiency of healthy qi, poor movement of blood and body fluids, so the heart collaterals are susceptible to stagnation and stasis,then phlegm and stasis generate; after PCI, it is easy to damage the healthy qi then lead to qi deficiency, causing qi, blood, and body fluids fail to transport, thereby leading to blood stasis and phlegm turbidity retention, generating heat and wind to damage the heart and body. It is proposed that the prevention before PCI should replenish qi and collaterals, expel blood stasis and resolve phlegm, to support "deficient qi" in heart collaterals and prevent "stagnation" after PCI. Postoperative management should focus on replenishing qi and protecting the collaterals, eliminating pathogen and controlling development, so as to avoid exacerbating deficiency and stagnation by damaging healthy qi, and eliminate pathogen and unblock the collaterals to interrupt the pathogenesis, which prevent "retention and stagnation" from changes.
3.ALKBH3-regulated m1A of ALDOA potentiates glycolysis and doxorubicin resistance of triple negative breast cancer cells.
Yuhua DENG ; Zhiyan CHEN ; Peixian CHEN ; Yaming XIONG ; Chuling ZHANG ; Qiuyuan WU ; Huiqi HUANG ; Shuqing YANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Tiancheng HE ; Wei LI ; Guolin YE ; Wei LUO ; Hongsheng WANG ; Dan ZHOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3092-3106
Chemotherapy is currently the mainstay of systemic management for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but chemoresistance significantly impacts patient outcomes. Our research indicates that Doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant TNBC cells exhibit increased glycolysis and ATP generation compared to their parental cells, with this metabolic shift contributing to chemoresistance. We discovered that ALKBH3, an m1A demethylase enzyme, is crucial in regulating the enhanced glycolysis in Dox-resistant TNBC cells. Knocking down ALKBH3 reduced ATP generation, glucose consumption, and lactate production, implicating its involvement in mediating glycolysis. Further investigation revealed that aldolase A (ALDOA), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is a downstream target of ALKBH3. ALKBH3 regulates ALDOA mRNA stability through m1A demethylation at the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). This methylation negatively affects ALDOA mRNA stability by recruiting the YTHDF2/PAN2-PAN3 complex, leading to mRNA degradation. The ALKBH3/ALDOA axis promotes Dox resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical analysis demonstrated that ALKBH3 and ALDOA are upregulated in breast cancer tissues, and higher expression of these proteins is associated with reduced overall survival in TNBC patients. Our study highlights the role of the ALKBH3/ALDOA axis in contributing to Dox resistance in TNBC cells through regulation of ALDOA mRNA stability and glycolysis.
4.Enzyme-independent functions of HDAC3 in the adult heart.
Sichong QIAN ; Chen ZHANG ; Wenbo LI ; Shiyang SONG ; Guanqiao LIN ; Zixiu CHENG ; Wenjun ZHOU ; Huiqi YIN ; Yueli WANG ; Haiyang LI ; Ying H SHEN ; Zheng SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3561-3574
The cardioprotective effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDIs) are at odds with the deleterious effects of HDAC depletion. Here, we use HDAC3 as a prototype HDAC to address this contradiction. We show that adult-onset cardiac-specific depletion of HDAC3 in mice causes cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction on a high-fat diet (HFD), excluding developmental disruption as a major reason for the contradiction. Genetically abolishing HDAC3 enzymatic activity without affecting its protein level does not cause cardiac dysfunction on HFD. HDAC3 depletion causes robust downregulation of lipid oxidation/bioenergetic genes and upregulation of antioxidant/anti-apoptotic genes. In contrast, HDAC3 enzyme activity abolishment causes much milder changes in far fewer genes. The abnormal gene expression is cardiomyocyte-autonomous and can be rescued by an enzyme-dead HDAC3 mutant but not by an HDAC3 mutant (Δ33-70) that lacks interaction with the nuclear-envelope protein lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (LAP2β). Tethering LAP2β to the HDAC3 Δ33-70 mutant restored its ability to rescue gene expression. Finally, HDAC3 depletion, not loss of HDAC3 enzymatic activity, exacerbates cardiac contractile functions upon aortic constriction. These results suggest that the cardiac function of HDAC3 in adults is not attributable to its enzyme activity, which has implications for understanding the cardioprotective effects of HDIs.
5.Analysis and summary of clinical characteristics of 289 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in Zhejiang Province
Gaixiang XU ; Weimei JIN ; Baodong YE ; Songfu JIANG ; Chao HU ; Xin HUANG ; Bingshou XIE ; Huifang JIANG ; Lili CHEN ; Rongxin YAO ; Ying LU ; Linjie LI ; Jin ZHANG ; Guifang OUYANG ; Yongwei HONG ; Hongwei KONG ; Zhejun QIU ; Wenji LUO ; Binbin CHU ; Huiqi ZHANG ; Hui ZENG ; Xiujie ZHOU ; Pengfei SHI ; Ying XU ; Jie JIN ; Hongyan TONG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(6):549-555
Objective:To further improve the understanding of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), we retrospectively analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, treatment status, and survival status of patients with PNH in Zhejiang Province.Methods:This study included 289 patients with PNH who visited 20 hospitals in Zhejiang Province. Their clinical characteristics, comorbidity, laboratory test results, and medications were analyzed and summarized.Results:Among the 289 patients with PNH, 148 males and 141 females, with a median onset age of 45 (16-87) years and a peak onset age of 20-49 years (57.8% ). The median lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level was 1 142 (604-1 925) U/L. Classified by type, 70.9% (166/234) were classical, 24.4% (57/234) were PNH/bone marrow failure (BMF), and 4.7% (11/234) were subclinical. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue or weakness (80.8%, 235/289), dizziness (73.4%, 212/289), darkened urine color (66.2%, 179/272), and jaundice (46.2%, 126/270). Common comorbidities were hemoglobinuria (58.7% ), renal dysfunction (17.6% ), and thrombosis (15.0% ). Moreover, 82.3% of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy, 70.9% required blood transfusion, 30.7% used immunosuppressive agents, 13.8% received anticoagulant therapy, and 6.3% received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate was 84.4% (95% CI 78.0% -91.3% ) . Conclusion:Patients with PNH are more common in young and middle-aged people, with a similar incidence rate between men and women. Common clinical manifestations include fatigue, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, renal dysfunction, and recurrent thrombosis. The 10-year OS of this group is similar to reports from other centers in China.
6.Association between the 24-hour movement behaviors and executive function in preschoolers
Chenglong WANG ; Huiqi SONG ; Mingzhe LI ; Yongsong LIU ; Jingjing WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(8):720-726
Objective:To explore the characteristics of 24-hour movement in preschoolers and its relationship with executive function.Methods:The study subjects consisted of 555 preschoolers in Zhuhai City. An objective measurement approach was employed, physical activity level was assessed by utilizing accelerometers and executive function was evaluated by computerized behavioral tests.The characteristics of 24-hour movement in children were described.Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software, independent samples t-test was used to compare differences in 24-hour activity behaviors across genders, and multivariate linear regression was used to explore the effect of preschoolers' achievement of activity behaviors on executive functioning. Results:According to the physical activity guideline for Chinese preschoolers aged 3-6 years recommendations for children's daily moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity, sedentary screen time, and sleep duration, among the study participants, the compliance rate of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (≥60 min/d) was 33.9 %(188/555), sedentary screen time (≤1 h/d) was 43.4%(241/555), and sleep duration (10-13 h/d) was 83.4 %(463/555). Only 13.3 %(74/555) of the participants met the recommended guidelines for all three behaviors. The correct score of the working memory test was (60.6±20.3) and the reaction time of the inhibitory control test was (695.1±135.8) ms. In male preschoolers, moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (≥60 min/d) positively predicted working memory( β=0.121, P=0.037), while sedentary screen time (≤1 h/d) negatively predicted inhibitory control ( β=-0.122, P=0.036). Conclusions:The daily compliance rate of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity and sedentary screen time is low among preschooler. The former is positively correlated with working memory in preschool boys, while the latter is negatively correlated with inhibitory control.
7.Status quo and influencing factors of health self-management ability of scientific and technological workers in Shanxi Province
Shanshan GE ; Xiaojin HU ; Jie LI ; Jianyu DONG ; Wenting ZHANG ; Wenhui DU ; Huiqi WEN
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2023;17(7):538-543
Objective:To investigate the status quo and influencing factors of health self-management ability of scientific and technological workers in Shanxi Province.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Using the general situation questionnaire and the adult health self-management ability evaluation scale, 467 scientific and technological workers who received physical examination in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2022 to September 2022 were investigated by questionnaire, and their height, weight, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, blood lipids and blood uric acid were collected on the day of physical examination. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of health self-management ability, and Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between health self-management ability and examination items.Results:The total score of health self-management ability of 467 scientific and technological workers was (153.7±16.5). The results of multiple linear regression showed that the type of medical insurance, self-assessment of health status, staying up late, and sleep quality were independent influencing factors of health self-management ability ( R2=0.141, adjusted R2=0.120, F=6.771; P<0.001). Health self-management ability was positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein ( r=0.114), behavioral subscale was positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein ( r=0.107), environmental subscale was negatively correlated with uric acid ( r=-0.103), triglyceride ( r=-0.118), and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein ( r=0.129), and cognitive subscale was negatively correlated with triglyceride ( r=-0.125), all of which were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The ability of health self-management of scientific and technological workers in Shanxi Province belongs to the upper middle level, which is affected by the type of medical insurance, the self-assessment of health status, staying up late, and the quality of sleep. It is suggested that the ability of health self-management of scientific and technological workers can be improved by strengthening their health beliefs, providing a more convenient working environment, reducing the frequency of staying up late, and improving their sleep quality.
8.MicroRNA-34c-5p provokes isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating autophagy via targeting ATG4B.
Yuhong ZHANG ; Yanqing DING ; Min LI ; Jing YUAN ; Youhui YU ; Xueying BI ; Huiqi HONG ; Jiantao YE ; Peiqing LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(5):2374-2390
Pathological cardiac hypertrophy serves as a significant foundation for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Recently, growing evidence has revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play multiple roles in biological processes and participate in cardiovascular diseases. In the present research, we investigate the impact of miRNA-34c-5p on cardiac hypertrophy and the mechanism involved. The expression of miR-34c-5p was proved to be elevated in heart tissues from isoprenaline (ISO)-infused mice. ISO also promoted miR-34c-5p level in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Transfection with miR-34c-5p mimic enhanced cell surface area and expression levels of foetal-type genes atrial natriuretic factor (Anf) and β-myosin heavy chain (β-Mhc) in NRCMs. In contrast, treatment with miR-34c-5p inhibitor attenuated ISO-induced hypertrophic responses. Enforced expression of miR-34c-5p by tail intravenous injection of its agomir led to cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy in mice, whereas inhibiting miR-34c-5p by specific antagomir could protect the animals against ISO-triggered hypertrophic abnormalities. Mechanistically, miR-34c-5p suppressed autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes, which contributed to the development of hypertrophy. Furthermore, the autophagy-related gene 4B (ATG4B) was identified as a direct target of miR-34c-5p, and miR-34c-5p was certified to interact with 3' untranslated region of Atg4b mRNA by dual-luciferase reporter assay. miR-34c-5p reduced the expression of ATG4B, thereby resulting in decreased autophagy activity and induction of hypertrophy. Inhibition of miR-34c-5p abolished the detrimental effects of ISO by restoring ATG4B and increasing autophagy. In conclusion, our findings illuminate that miR-34c-5p participates in ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, at least partly through suppressing ATG4B and autophagy. It suggests that regulation of miR-34c-5p may offer a new way for handling hypertrophy-related cardiac dysfunction.
9.Stem cell microencapsulation maintains stemness in inflammatory microenvironment.
Yajun ZHAO ; Yilin SHI ; Huiqi YANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Lanbo SHEN ; Shengben ZHANG ; Yue LIU ; Jie ZHU ; Jing LAN ; Jianhua LI ; Shaohua GE
International Journal of Oral Science 2022;14(1):48-48
Maintaining the stemness of the transplanted stem cell spheroids in an inflammatory microenvironment is challenging but important in regenerative medicine. Direct delivery of stem cells to repair periodontal defects may yield suboptimal effects due to the complexity of the periodontal inflammatory environment. Herein, stem cell spheroid is encapsulated by interfacial assembly of metal-phenolic network (MPN) nanofilm to form a stem cell microsphere capsule. Specifically, periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) spheroid was coated with FeIII/tannic acid coordination network to obtain spheroid@[FeIII-TA] microcapsules. The formed biodegradable MPN biointerface acted as a cytoprotective barrier and exhibited antioxidative, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, effectively remodeling the inflammatory microenvironment and maintaining the stemness of PDLSCs. The stem cell microencapsulation proposed in this study can be applied to multiple stem cells with various functional metal ion/polyphenol coordination, providing a simple yet efficient delivery strategy for stem cell stemness maintenance in an inflammatory environment toward a better therapeutic outcome.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
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Capsules/pharmacology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Encapsulation
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Cells, Cultured
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Ferric Compounds/pharmacology*
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Osteogenesis/physiology*
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Periodontal Ligament
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Polyphenols/pharmacology*
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Stem Cells
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Tannins/pharmacology*
10.The changes and influencing factors of CD4+ T cell numbers during different periods of antiviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients in Yichang City
Wen LEI ; Jianhua LIU ; Huiqi ZHANG ; Hao ZHANG ; Yi YANG ; Fangfang LU ; Yu TIAN ; Jie MIN ; Fangfang LI ; Hongping CHEN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2021;32(6):88-91
Objective To analyze the changes of CD4+ T cell numbers at different periods of antiviral therapy in HIV-infected and AIDS patients (HIV/AIDS) in Yichang City. Methods The relevant information was retrieved from the National AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Information System-Antiretroviral Treatment Management Database. Changes in the number of CD4+ T cells were analyzed in HIV/AIDS patients who started receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and continued the treatment for 3 years from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2017 in Yichang. Results The number of CD4+T lymphocytes in 550 HIV/AIDS cases increased significantly at various time points within 3 years after treatment, and increased with the increase of treatment time(F=100.20,P<0.001). The CD4+T cell counts of different baseline level groups were statistically different before and after treatment(F=8.57,P<0.01). The CD4+ T cell counts of patients who started treatment at age of 15-30 years old increased faster than those who started treatment at age of over 30 years old(F=1.27,P<0.05). Conclusion HAART has a significant effect on the increase of CD4+T cells, and the early treatment is more effective. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment should be promoted, and anti-viral treatment should be actively carried out.


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