1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Research status of action of alkaloids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Yun LI ; Yu-hui WANG ; Li LI ; Jia-rong MA ; Min ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):269-273
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is an inflammatory disease mainly associated with polyarthritis.It is mainly due to the joint swelling and joint inflammation caused by immune cells.The alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the level of pro-inflammatory factors and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors,reduce the joint synovial tissue hyperplasia,inflammatory cell infiltration and new blood vessel formation,inhibit the differentiation of osteoclasts,and then play an anti-RA role.Therefore,the review used the effects and mechanisms of alkaloids for RA to inform the development of new drugs for RA.
4.Mesoderm Development-related Genes and Signaling Pathways Affect the Occurrence and Development of Melanoma
Jia-Xin MA ; Zhi-Dong GUO ; Yun-Bin ZHANG ; Ming YAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1179-1192
This study systematically investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of mesoderm development-associated genes in melanoma progression through integrated bioinformatics analy-sis and experimental validation.Utilizing the GSVA(gene set variation analysis)algorithm to perform enrichment analysis of 7 752 biological functions in 406 skin cutaneous melanoma(SKCM)cases,we i-dentified for the first time the significant activation of mesoderm development pathways during SKCM pathogenesis.Four core regulatory genes(SMAD4,NODAL,BMPR1A,and ZFP36L1)were screened using LASSO-COX regression analysis and a prognostic risk-scoring system was established.Gene Ontolo-gy(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses revealed predomi-nant enrichment of these genes in mRNA metabolic processes and TGF-β signaling pathways.Experimen-tal validation through Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction(qPCR),Western blotting,and immuno-histochemistry(IHC)demonstrated that:(1)Downregulation of SMAD4 and BMPR1A in tumor tissues was significantly correlated with poor prognosis(P<0.05);(2)NODAL promoted tumor invasion and metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT);(3)High ZFP36L1 expression was associated with enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity.Further analyses revealed significant correlations be-tween core gene expression levels and tumor immune infiltration characteristics as well as immune check-point molecules.By integrating multi-omics analysis with experimental validation,this study elucidates the critical roles of mesoderm development-associated genes in SKCM progression,particularly clarifying the molecular mechanisms through which SMAD4/NODAL/BMPR1A/ZFP36L1 influence tumor biologi-cal behaviors via immune microenvironment regulation and EMT processes.These findings provide novel theoretical foundations for molecular subtyping and targeted therapy in melanoma.
5.Application effect of hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Sheng-hui MA ; Jia REN ; Xin WANG ; Xiu-xia SHI ; Shu-yun CAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(5):431-434
Objective To explore the clinical effect of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with hand-sewn esophagojejunos-tomy for gastric cancer.Methods Ninety cases of gastric cancer patients were seleted,of which 45 cases undergoing Roux-en-Y esophagoje-junostomy for digestive tract reconstruction were set as the control group,while 45 cases undergoing hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction were set as the observation group.Patients in the control group underwent laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy to reconstruct digestive tract,while patients in the observation group underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy to reconstruct digestive tract.The perioperative indicators and complications of patients in the two groups were compared.Results The surgical time,time of esophagojejunostomy,and time to get out of bed after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05),the pain score 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of complications or Clavien-Dindo grading(P>0.05).Conclusion Hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction has a good clinical effect in gastric cancer during totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.It can shorten the surgical time and time of esophagojejunostomy,reduce postoperative pain,and accelerate postoperative recovery,whose safety is comparable to Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy.
6.Evodiamine modulation of FOXM1 expression promotes apoptosis in colon cancer resistant cells HCT8/5-FU
Jing MA ; Di-long CHEN ; Yuan-yuan WAN ; Jia-ming HE ; An CHEN ; Yun-ying LI ; Hui-min WANG ; Jing LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):35-43
Aim To study the effect of evodiamine(EVO)regulating forkhead box protein Ml(FOXM1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer-resistant cells HCT8/5-FU.Methods CCK-8 assay and EdU assay were used to detect the effect of EVO on cell proliferation ability.Clone formation assay was employed to detect the effect of EVO on the clone for-mation ability of cells.Flow cytometric counting was applied to detect apoptosis.Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of cellular Bcl-2,Bax,FOXM1,β-catenin,c-MYC,and CyclinD1;Molecular docking was used to explore the EVO-FOXM1 interac-tion.Nude mouse transplant tumor model was estab-lished to validate the effect of EVO on HCT8/5-FU cells in vivo.Results CCK-8 assay showed that EVO inhibited the proliferation of HCT8/5-FU cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.EdU assay found that the newly proliferated cells in the EVO-trea-ted group were significantly reduced.The results of the clone formation assay showed that EVO inhibited the clone-forming ability of HCT8/5-FU cells.Flow cyto-metric counting found that apoptosis rate of the cells in the EVO group significantly increased.Western blot showed that FOXM1 and β-catenin were significantly highly expressed in HCT8/5-FU cells,and EVO down-regulated the expression of FOXM1,β-cateniin,c-MYC,CyclinD1,and Bcl-2,and up-regulated the ex-pression of Bax.Molecular docking revealed strong in-teractions between EVO and FOXM1.The in vivo ex-perimental results demonstrated that EVO exerted a substantial inhibitory effect on the growth of subcutane-ously implanted HCT8/5-FU xenograft tumors and regulated the expression of related proteins.HE stai-ning revealed significant nuclear consolidation and fragmentation of tumor cells in the EVO group.Con-clusions The findings suggest that EVO could sup-press the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway through a mechanism involving the downregulation of FOXM1 protein expression,thus inhibiting the prolifer-ation of HCT8/5-FU cells and induce their apoptosis.
7.Mesoderm Development-related Genes and Signaling Pathways Affect the Occurrence and Development of Melanoma
Jia-Xin MA ; Zhi-Dong GUO ; Yun-Bin ZHANG ; Ming YAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1179-1192
This study systematically investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of mesoderm development-associated genes in melanoma progression through integrated bioinformatics analy-sis and experimental validation.Utilizing the GSVA(gene set variation analysis)algorithm to perform enrichment analysis of 7 752 biological functions in 406 skin cutaneous melanoma(SKCM)cases,we i-dentified for the first time the significant activation of mesoderm development pathways during SKCM pathogenesis.Four core regulatory genes(SMAD4,NODAL,BMPR1A,and ZFP36L1)were screened using LASSO-COX regression analysis and a prognostic risk-scoring system was established.Gene Ontolo-gy(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses revealed predomi-nant enrichment of these genes in mRNA metabolic processes and TGF-β signaling pathways.Experimen-tal validation through Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction(qPCR),Western blotting,and immuno-histochemistry(IHC)demonstrated that:(1)Downregulation of SMAD4 and BMPR1A in tumor tissues was significantly correlated with poor prognosis(P<0.05);(2)NODAL promoted tumor invasion and metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT);(3)High ZFP36L1 expression was associated with enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity.Further analyses revealed significant correlations be-tween core gene expression levels and tumor immune infiltration characteristics as well as immune check-point molecules.By integrating multi-omics analysis with experimental validation,this study elucidates the critical roles of mesoderm development-associated genes in SKCM progression,particularly clarifying the molecular mechanisms through which SMAD4/NODAL/BMPR1A/ZFP36L1 influence tumor biologi-cal behaviors via immune microenvironment regulation and EMT processes.These findings provide novel theoretical foundations for molecular subtyping and targeted therapy in melanoma.
8.Research status of action of alkaloids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Yun LI ; Yu-hui WANG ; Li LI ; Jia-rong MA ; Min ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):269-273
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is an inflammatory disease mainly associated with polyarthritis.It is mainly due to the joint swelling and joint inflammation caused by immune cells.The alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the level of pro-inflammatory factors and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors,reduce the joint synovial tissue hyperplasia,inflammatory cell infiltration and new blood vessel formation,inhibit the differentiation of osteoclasts,and then play an anti-RA role.Therefore,the review used the effects and mechanisms of alkaloids for RA to inform the development of new drugs for RA.
9.Application effect of hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Sheng-hui MA ; Jia REN ; Xin WANG ; Xiu-xia SHI ; Shu-yun CAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(5):431-434
Objective To explore the clinical effect of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with hand-sewn esophagojejunos-tomy for gastric cancer.Methods Ninety cases of gastric cancer patients were seleted,of which 45 cases undergoing Roux-en-Y esophagoje-junostomy for digestive tract reconstruction were set as the control group,while 45 cases undergoing hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction were set as the observation group.Patients in the control group underwent laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy to reconstruct digestive tract,while patients in the observation group underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy to reconstruct digestive tract.The perioperative indicators and complications of patients in the two groups were compared.Results The surgical time,time of esophagojejunostomy,and time to get out of bed after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05),the pain score 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of complications or Clavien-Dindo grading(P>0.05).Conclusion Hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction has a good clinical effect in gastric cancer during totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.It can shorten the surgical time and time of esophagojejunostomy,reduce postoperative pain,and accelerate postoperative recovery,whose safety is comparable to Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy.
10.Air Pollution and Cardiac Biomarkers in Heart Failure: A Scoping Review.
Gang LI ; Yan Hui JIA ; Yun Shang CUI ; Shao Wei WU ; Tong Yu MA ; Yun Xing JIANG ; Hong Bing XU ; Yu Hui ZHANG ; Mary A FOX
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(11):1430-1443
Ambient air pollution is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for heart failure; however, its effects on cardiac biomarkers remain unclear. This scoping review assessed the existing evidence on the association between air pollution and cardiac biomarkers in heart failure, described the key concepts, synthesized data, and identified research gaps. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for studies on air pollution, heart failure, and biomarkers. A total of 765 records were screened, and 81 full texts were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 15 studies. The results showed that the exposure to particulate matter was associated with elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Several studies have linked particulate matter exposure to a higher cardiovascular risk and heart failure biomarkers. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were consistently elevated across studies, supporting the biological relevance of these associations. However, few studies have focused specifically on populations with heart failure or clinically relevant biomarkers, and the evidence for gaseous pollutants remains inconclusive. These findings highlight the need to integrate environmental risk assessment into heart failure care and inform policy efforts to reduce the pollution-related cardiovascular burden. Further research should address these gaps through improved exposure assessments and the integration of mechanistic evidence.
Heart Failure/epidemiology*
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Air Pollution/adverse effects*
;
Air Pollutants/adverse effects*
;
Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
;
Environmental Exposure
;
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Troponin/blood*

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