1.Oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus and its complications: From pathophysiology to therapeutic strategies.
Xingyu CHEN ; Na XIE ; Lixiang FENG ; Yujing HUANG ; Yuyao WU ; Huili ZHU ; Jing TANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):15-27
Oxidative stress due to aberrant metabolism is considered as a crucial contributor to diabetes and its complications. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia boost excessive reactive oxygen species generation by elevated mitochondrial respiration, increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity, and enhanced pro-oxidative processes, including protein kinase C pathways, hexosamine, polyol, and advanced glycation endproducts, which exacerbate oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the onset of diabetes and its associated complications by impairing insulin production, increasing insulin resistance, maintaining hyperglycemic memory, and inducing systemic inflammation. A more profound comprehension of the molecular processes that link oxidative stress to diabetes is crucial to new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this review discusses the mechanisms underlying how oxidative stress contributes to diabetes mellitus and its complications. We also summarize the current approaches for prevention and treatment by targeting the oxidative stress pathways in diabetes.
Oxidative Stress/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology*
;
Diabetes Complications/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Glycation End Products, Advanced/metabolism*
;
Animals
2.Intermittent hypoxia aggravates asthma inflammation via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by HIF-1α signalling pathway.
Ling ZHOU ; Huojun ZHANG ; Lu LIU ; Fengqin ZHANG ; Lingling WANG ; Pengdou ZHENG ; Zhenyu MAO ; Xiaoyan ZHU ; Guisha ZI ; Lixiang CHEN ; Xiaojing CAI ; Huiguo LIU ; Wei LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1714-1729
BACKGROUND:
Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease and intermittent hypoxia is increasingly recognized as a factor that may impact disease progression. The present study investigated whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) could aggravate asthma by promoting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin (IL)-1β-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms involved.
METHODS:
A total of 49 patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma and diagnosed by polysomnography were enrolled at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2022 and December 2022, and their general data and induced sputum were collected. BEAS-2B cells were treated with IL-13 and subjected to IH. An ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mouse model was also used to assess the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on asthma. Pyroptosis, the inflammatory response, and related signalling pathways were assessed in vivo and in vitro .
RESULTS:
In this study, as the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) increased, the proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma increased. The proportions of neutrophils and the levels of IL-6, IL-8, HIF-1α and NLRP3 in induced sputum were related to the AHI. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, which could be mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, was activated in IL-13 plus IH-treated BEAS-2B cells and in the lungs of OVA/CIH mice. HIF-1α downregulation significantly reduced lung pyroptosis and ameliorated neutrophil inflammation by modulating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway both in vitro and in vivo . Similarly, pretreatment with LW6, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, effectively blocked the generation of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils. In addition, administration of the NLRP3 activator nigericin obviously increased lung neutrophil inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS
Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation. IH aggravates neutrophil inflammation in asthma via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, which should be considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma with OSAHS.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Asthma/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Pyroptosis/physiology*
;
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Signal Transduction/physiology*
;
Male
;
Hypoxia/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Inflammation/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
3.Unlocking the role of wound microbiome in diabetic, burn, and germ-free wound repair treated by natural and synthetic scaffolds.
Zeyu XU ; Lixiang ZHANG ; Qinghan TANG ; Chenxi YANG ; Xiaotong DING ; Ziyu WANG ; Rizhong HUANG ; Ruihan JIANG ; Joannake MAITZ ; Huaikai SHI ; Xin YAN ; Mei DONG ; Jun CHEN ; Yiwei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):611-626
In current clinical practice, various dermal templates and skin substitutes are used to enhance wound healing. However, the role of wound commensal microbiome in regulating scaffold performance and the healing process remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of both natural and synthetic scaffolds on the wound commensal microbiome and wound repair in three distinct models including diabetic wounds, burn injuries, and germ-free (GF) wounds. Remarkably, synthetic electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were observed to positively promote microbiome diversity, leading to enhanced diabetic wound healing compared to the natural scaffolds Integra® (INT) and MatriDerm® (MAD). In contrast, both natural and synthetic scaffolds exhibited comparable effects on the diversity of the microbiome and the healing of burn injuries. In GF wounds with no detectable microorganisms, a reversed healing rate was noted showing natural scaffold (MAD) accelerated wound repair compared to the open or the synthetic scaffold (PCL) treatment. Furthermore, the response of the wound commensal microbiome to PCL scaffolds appears pivotal in promoting anti-inflammatory factors during diabetic wound healing. Our results emphasize that the wound commensal microbiome, mediated by different scaffolds plays an important role in the wound healing process.
4.Functional analysis of a nitrate-induced GARP transcription factor AhNIGT1.2 in peanut nodulation.
Xiaoliang LI ; Haitong HE ; Suqin HE ; Luyao WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhaosheng KONG ; Lixiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):657-669
Peanut, a major economic and oil crop known for the high protein and oil content, is extensively cultivated in China. Peanut plants have the ability to form nodules with rhizobia, where the nitrogenase converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia nitrogen that can be utilized by the plants. Analysis of nodule fixation is of positive significance for avoiding overapplication of chemical fertilizer and developing sustainable agriculture. In this study, AhNIGT1.2, a member of the NIGT family predominantly expressed in peanut nodules, was identified by bioinformatics analysis. Subsequent spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that AhNIGT1.2 was highly expressed in nodules and showed significant responses to high nitrogen, low nitrogen, high phosphorus, low phosphorus, and rhizobia treatments. Histochemical staining indicated that the gene was primarily expressed in developing nodules and at the connection region between mature nodules and peanut roots. The fusion protein AhNIGT1.2-GFP was located in the nucleus of tobacco epidermal cells. The AhNIGT1.2-OE significantly increased the number of peanut nodules, while AhNIGT1.2-RNAi reduced the number of nodules, which suggested a positive regulatory role of AhNIGT1.2 in peanut nodulation. The AhNIGT1.2-OE in roots down-regulated the expression levels of NRT1.2, NRT2.4, NLP1, and NLP7, which indicated that AhNIGT1.2 influenced peanut nodulation by modulating nitrate transport and the expression of NLP genes. The transcriptome analysis of AhNIGT1.2-OE and control roots revealed that overexpressing AhNIGT1.2 significantly enriched the differentially expressed genes associated with nitrate response, nodulation factor pathway, enzymes for triterpene biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis. These findings suggest that AhNIGT1.2 play a key role in peanut nodulation by regulating nitrate transport and response and other related pathways. This study gives insights into the molecular mechanisms of nitrogen and phosphorus in regulating legume nodulation and nitrogen fixation, and sheds light on the development of legume crops that can efficiently fix nitrogen in high nitrogen environments.
Arachis/physiology*
;
Nitrates/metabolism*
;
Plant Proteins/physiology*
;
Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Plant Root Nodulation/physiology*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism*
;
Nitrogen Fixation
5.Overseas imported cystic echinococcosis misdiagnosed as pulmonary and hepatic cysts: a case report
Zhenyu HUANG ; Yuan LI ; Shitong GAO ; Lisha ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Lixiang MI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(4):435-438
Cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic disease that poses a significant threat to human health and animal husbandry development, is prevalent across the world and predominantly occurs in agricultural and pastoral regions. However, cystic echinococcosis cases are rare in non-endemic areas, which is likely to cause misdiagnosis or missing diagnosis, resulting in delay in treatment. This report presents an overseas imported cystic echinococcosis case misdiagnosed as pulmonary and hepatic cysts, so as to provide insights into diagnosis and treatment of cystic echinococcosis in non-endemic areas.
6.DNA Methylation of KLRC1 and KLRC3 in Autoimmune Thyroiditis:Perspective of Different Water Iodine Exposure
Chen YAO ; Liu JINJIN ; Qu MENGYING ; Ren BINGXUAN ; Wu HUAIYONG ; Zhang LI ; Zhou ZHENG ; Liu LIXIANG ; Shen HONGMEI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(9):1044-1055
Objective This study aimed to identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs) associated with natural killer cells in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT),focusing on the influence of varying water iodine exposure levels. Methods Participants were divided into categories based on median water iodine (MWI) concentrations:iodine-fortified areas (IFA,MWI<10 μg/L),iodine-adequate areas (IAA,40 ≤ MWI ≤ 100μg/L),and iodine-excessive areas (IEA,MWI>300 μg/L). A total of 176 matched AIT cases and controls were recruited and divided into 89,40,and 47 pairs for IFA,IAA,and IEA,respectively. DMGs were identified using 850K BeadChip analysis for 10/10 paired samples. Validation of DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels of the DMGs was conducted using MethylTarget? and QRT-PCR for 176/176 paired samples. Results KLRC1,KLRC3,and SH2D1B were identified as significant DMGs. Validation revealed that KLRC1 was hypomethylated and highly expressed,whereas KLRC3 was hypermethylated and highly expressed in individuals with AIT. Furthermore,KLRC1 was hypomethylated and highly expressed in both IFA and IEA. Conclusion The DNA methylation status of KLRC1 and KLRC3 may play crucial roles in AIT pathogenesis. Additionally,DNA methylation of KLRC1 seems to be influenced by different iodine concentrations in water.
7.Correlation study between epicardial fat and coronary artery lumen stenosis in young adults
Yanchun ZHANG ; Lixiang XIE ; Hao WANG ; Yong LIANG ; Kun DONG ; Huan LIU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(3):373-376,393
Objective To explore the correlation between epicardial fat volume(EFV),epicardial fat volume indexed(EFVi)and coronary artery lumen stenosis in young adults.Methods The data of 80 young patients who underwent both coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)and coronary angiography(CAG)within 2 weeks were analyzed retrospectively.The correlation between EFV,EFVi and coronary artery lumen stenosis in young adults was evaluated.Results A total of 80 patients were enrolled,taking CAG exomination results as the gold standard,58 cases were enrolled into the lesion group and the other 22 cases were enrolled into the control group.The incidence of coronary artery lumen stenosis was higher in young males than that in young females(t=4.309,P=0.038).EFV and EFVi in the lesion group were higher than those in the control group(t=3.023,P=0.001;t=2.785,P=0.001).The EFV in males was higher than that in females(t=2.558,P=0.012).There was no significant difference in EFVi between male and female groups.The differences between EFV and EFVi of males in lesion group and control group were statistically significant(t=4.083,P<0.01;t=4.429,P<0.01).The differences between EFV and EFVi of females in lesion group and control group showed no sta-tistical significance.EFV and EFVi were moderately positively correlated with coronary artery lumen stenosis(rs=0.437,P<0.01;rs=0.463,P<0.01).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis of EFV and EFVi showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of EFV was 0.784,the cut-off value was 107.24 cm3,the sensitivity was 0.776,and the specificity was 0.682.The AUC,cut-off value,sensitivity and specificity of EFVi was 0.793,53.68 cm3/m2,0.81,0.682,respectively.Conclusion EFV and EFVi are moderately positively correlated with coronary artery lumen stenosis in young adults,which is helpful to the diagnosis of coronary heart disease.However,the differences between EFV and EFVi of young females in lesion group and control group show no statistical significance.
8.Exploration of the Current Situation and Path of "Flagship" Hospital Construction of Synergy of Chi-nese and Western Medicine in China
Fangyi ZHU ; Lixiang ZHAI ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(6):30-33
The construction of"flagship"hospitals of the synergy of Chinese and Western medicine is promoting of quality development of public hospitals and for enhancing the status and effectiveness of integrated Chinese and Western medicines in the treatment of patients.By collecting data from 62"flagship"hospitals in China,it analyzed the current situation of the construction from the aspects of regional layout,practical experience,and practical problems,and proposed the key paths for the future high-quality development of the"flagship"hospitals of the synergy of Chinese and Western medicines in the light of the policy objectives:adhering to the leadership of Party building,constructing the evaluation index system of the"flagship"hospitals of Chinese and Western medicine collaboration,establishing a long-term safeguard mechanism through the collaboration of multiple main bodies,introducing lean management,and promoting the construction of digital intelligence.
9.Exploration of the Current Situation and Path of "Flagship" Hospital Construction of Synergy of Chi-nese and Western Medicine in China
Fangyi ZHU ; Lixiang ZHAI ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(6):30-33
The construction of"flagship"hospitals of the synergy of Chinese and Western medicine is promoting of quality development of public hospitals and for enhancing the status and effectiveness of integrated Chinese and Western medicines in the treatment of patients.By collecting data from 62"flagship"hospitals in China,it analyzed the current situation of the construction from the aspects of regional layout,practical experience,and practical problems,and proposed the key paths for the future high-quality development of the"flagship"hospitals of the synergy of Chinese and Western medicines in the light of the policy objectives:adhering to the leadership of Party building,constructing the evaluation index system of the"flagship"hospitals of Chinese and Western medicine collaboration,establishing a long-term safeguard mechanism through the collaboration of multiple main bodies,introducing lean management,and promoting the construction of digital intelligence.
10.Exploration of the Current Situation and Path of "Flagship" Hospital Construction of Synergy of Chi-nese and Western Medicine in China
Fangyi ZHU ; Lixiang ZHAI ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(6):30-33
The construction of"flagship"hospitals of the synergy of Chinese and Western medicine is promoting of quality development of public hospitals and for enhancing the status and effectiveness of integrated Chinese and Western medicines in the treatment of patients.By collecting data from 62"flagship"hospitals in China,it analyzed the current situation of the construction from the aspects of regional layout,practical experience,and practical problems,and proposed the key paths for the future high-quality development of the"flagship"hospitals of the synergy of Chinese and Western medicines in the light of the policy objectives:adhering to the leadership of Party building,constructing the evaluation index system of the"flagship"hospitals of Chinese and Western medicine collaboration,establishing a long-term safeguard mechanism through the collaboration of multiple main bodies,introducing lean management,and promoting the construction of digital intelligence.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail