1.Dipsacus asper Treats Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans by Regulating PPARα/TFEB Pathway
Mengmeng WANG ; Jianping ZHAO ; Limin WU ; Shuang CHU ; Yanli HUANG ; Zhenghao CUI ; Yiran SUN ; Pan WANG ; Hui WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Zhishen XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):104-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect of Dipsacus asper(DA) in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/transcription factor EB (TFEB) pathway. MethodsFirst, transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control, model, positive control (WY14643, 20 µmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (100, 200, and 400 mg·L-1, respectively) DA groups. The amyloid β-42 (Aβ42) formation in the muscle cells, the paralysis time, and the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ, LC3I, LAMP2, and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα, and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain (LBD). ResultsCompared with the model group, the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time (P<0.05), and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head (P<0.01). DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition, DA enhanced the autophagy flux (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1, Atg5, LAMP2, and CLN2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB (P<0.05), increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux (P<0.05, P<0.01), and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB (P<0.01). The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus (P<0.01). UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA, from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.
2.Salidroside alleviates PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis through PINK1/Parkin
Ruixi ZHOU ; Wenbo WU ; Limin ZHANG ; Meina WU ; Chen LIU ; Siqi LI ; Xiaohong LI ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Qin WANG ; Li YU ; Yumei LIU ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1240-1246
Background Existing studies have confirmed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5)is one of the important factors inducing pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is the terminal stage of a major category of lung diseases characterized by the destruction of tissue structure, and eventually leading lung ventilation and ventilation dysfunction. No effective pulmonary fibrosis treatment is available yet. Objective To investigate the protective effect of salidroside on pulmonary fibrosis induced by the exposure of PM2.5 and its molecular mechanism. Methods Seventy 7-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group (intratracheal instillation of normal saline + saline by gavage, n=25), Sal group (intratracheal instillation of normal saline + Sal 60 mg·kg−1 by gavage, n=10), PM2.5 group (intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 5 mg·kg−1 + saline by gavage, n=10), and Sal + PM2.5 group (intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 5 mg·kg−1 +Sal 60 mg·kg−1 by gavage, n=10). The mice were administered by gavage once daily, intratracheal instillation once every 3 d, and every 3 d constituted an experimental cycle. At the end of the 26-30th cycles, 3 mice in the control group and 3 mice in the PM2.5 group were randomly sacrificed, and the lung tissues were collected for Masson staining to verify whether the pulmonary fibrosis model was successfully established. After 30 cycles, the model was successfully constructed. After 1 week of continuous observation, the mice were sacrificed, and the blood and lung tissues of the mice were collected to make lung tissue sections. Assay kits were correspondingly employed to detect oxidative stress indicators such as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins (Collagen-III, α-SMA), mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (MFN1, Drp1), and mitophagy-related proteins (PINK1, Parkin, and LC3). Results Compared with the control group, the weight gain rate of the PM2.5 group was slowed down (P<0.05), which was alleviated by the Sal intervention (P<0.05). The lung coefficient increased after the PM2.5 exposure (P<0.05), which was alleviated by Sal intervention. Compared with the control group, the PM2.5 group showed severe alveolar structure damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and blue collagen deposition, and significantly increased the lung injury score, collagen volume fraction (CVF), Szapiel score, and Ashcroft score (P<0.05), as well as serum oxidative stress levels (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of Collagen-III, α-SMA, Drp1, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 II/I were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of MFN1 was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the PM2.5 group, the Sal intervention alleviated lung injury, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition, showing decreased lung injury score, CVF, Szapiel score, and Ashcroft score (P<0.05), and decreased serum oxidative stress levels (P<0.05); the protein expression levels of Collagen-III, α-SMA, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 II/I were decreased (P<0.05), the expression level of Drp1 was decreased, and the expression level of MFN1 was increased. Conclusion In the process of pulmonary fibrosis induced by PM2.5 exposure in mice, Sal may affect mitochondrial autophagy through PINK1/Parkin pathway and play a protective role. The specific mechanism needs to be further verified.
3.Gandou Bushen decoction ameliorates ovarian injury in murine hepatolenticular degeneration via the AGE/RAGE/NF-κB pathway.
Pengyu JIANG ; Limin WU ; Hui HAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;():1-15
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Chinese herb medicine Gandou Bushen decoction (GBD) on ovarian injury in murine hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) model.
METHODS:
The chemical constituents of GBD were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Forty female C3He-Atp7btx-J mice (6-week-old) were randomly divided into model, penicillamine (positive control), low-dose GBD, and high-dose GBD groups. Ten DL syngeneic female mice served as the normal control group. Body and ovarian weights were measured to calculate the ovarian coefficient. Ovarian copper content was detected by complexometric colorimetry. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. A copper overload cell model was established in ovarian granulosa cells(iCell-0114a)by inducing them with copper sulfate. Cells were divided into normal control, model control, and low-, medium-, and high-dose GBD groups. The mRNA expression of FSH receptor (FSHR), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured using a WST-1 assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using DCFH-DA fluorescence, and mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed using JC-1 staining coupled with flow cytometry. Protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase-3, advanced glycation end products (AGE), RAGE, and NF-κB was determined by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
A total of 1465 chemical components were identified in GBD. Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed decreased body weight, ovarian weight, and ovarian coefficient (all P<0.01). GBD treatment alleviated tissue copper deposition (P<0.01), improved ovarian histomorphology and ultrastructure, and increased serum levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, and progesterone (all P<0.01). RNA sequencing identified 507 differentially expressed genes. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the mechanism underlying GBD's protective effects primarily involved the AGE/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway. In copper-overloaded granulosa cells, GBD dose-dependently increased the mRNA expression of FSHR, StAR, and IGF-1, reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, increased SOD activity, and decreased ROS levels (all P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose GBD groups showed a lower percentage of cells with mitochondrial depolarization (both P<0.01). All GBD dose groups showed decreased expression of Bax and caspase-3 (all P<0.05), while the medium- and high-dose groups showed increased Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, medium and high doses of GBD reduced the protein expression of AGE, RAGE, and NF-κB, and all doses downregulated the mRNA expression of RAGE and NF-κB (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
GBD ameliorates ovarian injury in HLD, and its mechanism of action is associated with the suppression of the AGE/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Erratum: Author correction to "Up-regulation of glyclipid transfer protein by bicyclol causes spontaneous restriction of hepatitis C virus replication" Acta Pharm Sin B 9 (2019) 769-781.
Menghao HUANG ; Hu LI ; Rong XUE ; Jianrui LI ; Lihua WANG ; Junjun CHENG ; Zhouyi WU ; Wenjing LI ; Jinhua CHEN ; Xiaoqin LV ; Qiang LI ; Pei LAN ; Limin ZHAO ; Yongfeng YANG ; Zonggen PENG ; Jiandong JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1721-1721
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].
5.Structural insights into the distinct ligand recognition and signaling of the chemerin receptors CMKLR1 and GPR1.
Xiaowen LIN ; Lechen ZHAO ; Heng CAI ; Xiaohua CHANG ; Yuxuan TANG ; Tianyu LUO ; Mengdan WU ; Cuiying YI ; Limin MA ; Xiaojing CHU ; Shuo HAN ; Qiang ZHAO ; Beili WU ; Maozhou HE ; Ya ZHU
Protein & Cell 2025;16(5):381-385
6.Myeloid cells: key players in tumor microenvironments.
Qiaomin HUA ; Zhixiong LI ; Yulan WENG ; Yan WU ; Limin ZHENG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(2):265-296
Cancer is the result of evolving crosstalk between neoplastic cell and its immune microenvironment. In recent years, immune therapeutics targeting T lymphocytes, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and CAR-T, have made significant progress in cancer treatment and validated targeting immune cells as a promising approach to fight human cancers. However, responsiveness to the current immune therapeutic agents is limited to only a small proportion of solid cancer patients. As major components of most solid tumors, myeloid cells played critical roles in regulating the initiation and sustentation of adaptive immunity, thus determining tumor progression as well as therapeutic responses. In this review, we discuss emerging data on the diverse functions of myeloid cells in tumor progression through their direct effects or interactions with other immune cells. We explain how different metabolic reprogramming impacts the characteristics and functions of tumor myeloid cells, and discuss recent progress in revealing different mechanisms-chemotaxis, proliferation, survival, and alternative sources-involved in the infiltration and accumulation of myeloid cells within tumors. Further understanding of the function and regulation of myeloid cells is important for the development of novel strategies for therapeutic exploitation in cancer.
Humans
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Tumor Microenvironment/immunology*
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Myeloid Cells/immunology*
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Neoplasms/therapy*
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Animals
7.Study on the relationship between serum GLP-1,MCP-1,IGFBP-3 and glycolipid metabolism,bone metabolism and microvascular complications in children with T1DM
Xiaoning GUAN ; Lihua WANG ; Limin HU ; Jinfeng REN ; Wangye LI ; Jing WU ; Xiangfen YANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(14):1702-1708
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3)and glycolipid metabolism,bone metabolism and microvascular complications(MC)in children with type 1 diabe-tes mellitus(T1DM).Methods A total of 211 children with T1DM(T1DM group)admitted to Handan Cen-tral Hospital,Xingtai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital,Baoding First Central Hospital and Handan Ma-ternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2021 to February 2023 were selected,patients were divided into MC group(63 cases)and non-MC group(148 cases)according to whether MC was complicated within 1 year,and 108 healthy children who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as control group.The levels of serum GLP-1,MCP-1,IGFBP-3 and glucose and lipid metabolism indexes[fasting plasma glucose(FPG),fasting insulin(FINS),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and bone metabolism indexes[bone specific alkaline phosphatase(BALP),osteocalcin(OST),type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide(CTX)]were detec-ted.The correlation between serum GLP-1,MCP-1,IGFBP-3 and glucose and lipid metabolism,bone metabo-lism in children with T1DM were analyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient.Taking MC in children with T1DM as the dependent variable,the influencing factors were determined by multivariate uncon-ditional Logistic regression model,and the predictive value of serum GLP-1,MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 for MC were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The levels of serum GLP-1,FINS,HDL-C,BALP,OST and CTX in the T1DM group were lower than those in the control group,while the levels of MCP-1,IGFBP-3,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TG and LDL-C in the T1DM group were higher than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Serum GLP-1 in children with T1DM was negatively correlated with FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TG and LDL-C,and positively correlated with FINS,HDL-C,BALP,OST and CTX(P<0.05).MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 were positively correlated with FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TG and LDL-C,and negatively correlated with FINS,HDL-C,BALP,OST and CTX(P<0.05).Follow-up for 1 year,the incidence of MC in 211 children with T1DM was 29.86%(63/211).Elevated HbA1c,HOMA-IR,LDL-C,MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 were independent risk factors for MC in children with T1DM,and elevated GLP-1 was an independent protective factor(P<0.05).The area under the curve of ser-um GLP-1,MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 combined to predict MC in children with T1DM was 0.919,which was grea-ter than 0.781,0.788 and 0.794 predicted by serum GLP-1,MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 alone(P<0.05).Conclu-sion The decrease of serum GLP-1 level and the increase of MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 levels are related to glyco-lipid metabolism,bone metabolism disorder and MC in children with T1DM,the combined application of ser-um GLP-1,MCP-1 and IGFBP-3 has a good predictive value for MC in children with T1DM.
8.Gandou Bushen Decoction Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Wilson Disease Model TX Mice by Regulating Melatonin Synthesis via the SIRT3/FOXO3α Pathway
Luyao WANG ; Limin WU ; Tingting WANG ; Xinru FANG ; Zhenzhen JIANG ; Yike YUE ; Dan ZHAO ; Qianzhuo LIU ; Hui HAN
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(1):102-111
Objective Melatonin has been shown to have neuroprotective effects.This study is aimed at observing the effects of copper deposition on cognitive function in a toxic milk(TX)mouse model of Wilson disease(WD),and investigating the effects and mechanisms of action of Gandou Bushen Decoction(GDBSD)on melatonin synthesis and pineal function in the WD model mice.Methods A total of 30 homozygous TX mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups(n=10 in each group),including a WD group,a GDBSD group,and a dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA)group.A total of 10 DL mice were included in the normal control(NC)group.The structure and copper content of pineal gland tissues,oxidative stress and apoptosis-related markers,and serum melatonin levels were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),flow cytometry,and Western blot.Results Compared with the NC group,the WD group exhibited decreased learning and cognitive abilities(P<0.05),damaged pineal gland structure,increased copper content,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,and mitochondrial damage rate in the pineal gland(P<0.01),altered levels of melatonin and oxidative stress-related markers(P<0.05),upregulated expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3,and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2(P<0.01).After treatment with GDBSD and DMSA,the SIRT3/FOXO3α signaling pathway was activated,the copper content in the pineal gland was reduced,and oxidative stress and apoptosis-related damages were improved,leading to an improvement in learning and memory abilities(P<0.05).Conclusion GDBSD can alleviate cognitive impairments in WD mice caused by pineal gland copper deposition by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis in the pineal gland.The underlying molecular mechanism is associated with the regulation of the SIRT3/FOXO3α signaling pathway.
9.Moderating effect of salidroside on intestinal microbiota in mice exposed to PM2.5
Siqi LI ; Chen LIU ; Weihong XU ; Wenbo WU ; Ruixi ZHOU ; Limin ZHANG ; Chao SONG ; Yumei LIU ; Fengjiao TAN ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Xiaolin HAN ; Jinfeng TAN ; Li YU ; Dongqun XU ; Qin WANG ; Xiaohong LI ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(2):125-132
Background Salidroside (SAL) has a protective effect on multiple organ systems. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere may lead to disruptions in gut microbiota and impact intestinal health. The regulatory effect of SAL on the gut microbiota of mice exposed to PM2.5 requires further investigation. Objective To evaluate gut microbiota disruption in mice after being exposed to PM2.5 and the potential effect of SAL. Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 to 8 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, an SAL group, a PM2.5 group, and an SAL+PM2.5 group, each containing 10 mice. In the SAL group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, the mice were administered SAL (60 mg·kg−1) by gavage, while in the control group and the PM2.5 group, sterile saline (10 mL·kg−1) was administered by gavage. In the PM2.5 group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, PM2.5 suspension (8 mg·kg−1) was intratracheally instilled, and in the control group and SAL group, sterile saline (1.5 mL·kg−1) was intratracheally administered. Each experiment cycle spanned 2 d, with a total of 10 cycles conducted over 20 d. Histopathological changes in the ileum tissue of the mice were observed after HE staining. Colon contents were collected for gut microbiota sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) measurements. Results The PM2.5 group showed infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ileum tissue, while the SAL+PM2.5 group exhibited only a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased Shannon index (P<0.05) and increased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in this group was decreased; the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased Shannon index compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05) and decreased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in mice intervened with SAL was increased. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed a significant separation between the PM2.5 group and the control group, while the separation trend was less evident among the control group, the SAL group, and the SAL+PM2.5 group. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) clustering tree results showed that the control group and the SAL group clustered together first, followed by clustering with the SAL+PM2.5 group, and finally, the three groups clustered with the PM2.5 group. The PCoA and UPGMA clustering results indicated that the uniformity and similarity of the microbiota in the PM2.5 group were significantly decreased. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05) and increased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, genus Escherichia, genus Bacteroides, genus Prevotella, genus Enterococcus, and genus Proteus (P<0.05). Compared to the PM2.5 group, the SAL+PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, genus Prevotella, and genus Proteus (P<0.05), and increased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05). The PM2.5 group showed reduced levels of propionic acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the control group (P<0.05), while the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased levels of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to PM2.5 can cause pathological alterations, microbial dysbiosis, and disturbing production of SCFAs in intestinal tissue in mice. However, SAL can provide a certain degree of protective effect against these changes.
10.Research on medical service satisfaction evaluation based on ECSI model——taking the S city public hospital as an example
Limin CHEN ; Chunling LIU ; Xintong XIE ; Lizhu ZENG ; Jieyi HAN ; Chengxiao ZHU ; Zhaoyi XIE ; Weizhen WU
Modern Hospital 2024;24(6):831-835,839
Objective To deeply analyze the problems of public hospitals in medical service satisfaction,construct a more applicable and explanatory service satisfaction evaluation model,and provide reference for the improvement path of patients'medical service satisfaction.Methods Based on the ESCI model,this paper puts forward a research hypothesis,compiles the"Medical Service Satisfaction Evaluation Scale of Public Hospitals in S City",selects S public hospitals as the research object,and evaluates medical service satisfaction from the perspective of patients.Results At present,the main problems affecting the improvement of patients'satisfaction with medical service management in public hospitals in S city are as follows:it is urgent to improve the diagnosis and treatment technology in terms of hardware quality and optimize the environmental hygiene of public hos-pitals,and it is an urgent task to shorten the waiting time for medical treatment in software quality.The score of medical service satisfaction evaluation of S public hospitals was 3.76,and the satisfaction of patients in S public hospitals with their medical serv-ices was at a moderately low level.Conclusion In view of the above problems,it is recommended to strengthen the construction of key specialties,strengthen the construction of talent team,optimize the medical process,open digital linkage services,and strengthen service management,so as to promote the improvement of patients'satisfaction with medical services.

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