1.A new phenolic acid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza ameliorates OVA-induced allergic asthma by regulation of Th17/Treg cells and inflammation through the TLR4 pathway.
Zeng MENGNAN ; Wu YUANYUAN ; Ren YINGJIE ; Jiao XIANMIAN ; Chang FANGZHUO ; Wang YUANYUAN ; Feng WEISHENG ; Zheng XIAOKE
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(12):100007-100007
Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) represents a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrating effects on blood circulation activation and stasis removal, and has been widely utilized in asthma treatment. This study isolated a novel phenolic acid (S1) from S. miltiorrhiza and investigated its anti-asthmatic activity and underlying mechanisms for the first time. An allergic asthma (AA) model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). The mechanism of S1's effects on AA was investigated using multi-factor joint analysis, flow cytometry, and co-culture systems to facilitate clinical asthma treatment. S1 (10 or 20 mg·kg-1) was administered daily to mice with OVA-induced AA (OVA-AA) during days 21-25. The study examined airway responsiveness, lung damage, inflammation, and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), PGD2, interleukins (IL-4, 5, 10, 13, 17A), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. Additionally, mast cell (MC) activation and degranulation were explored, along with T helper type 17 (Th17)/Treg immune cells and TLR4 pathway biomarkers. The antagonistic activity of that specific antagonist of TLR4 (TAK-242) (1 µmol·L-1), a specific TLR4 blocker, against S1 (10 µmol·L-1) was examined in co-cultured 16HBE cells and bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) or splenic lymphocytes (SLs) induced with LPS (1 µg·mL-1) to elucidate the TLR4 pathway's mediating role. S1 demonstrated reduced airway responsiveness, lung damage, and inflammation, with downregulation of IgE, PGD2, interleukins, TNF-α, GM-CSF, CXCL1, CCL11, and mMCP-1. It also impeded MC activation and degranulation, upregulated IL-10, and influenced Th17/Treg immune cell transformation following OVA challenge. Furthermore, S1 inhibited the TLR4 pathway in OVA-AA mice, and TLR4 antagonism enhanced S1's positive effects. Analysis using an OVA-AA mouse model demonstrated that S1 alleviates AA clinical symptoms, restores lung function, and inhibits airway response. S1's therapeutic effects occur through regulation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inflammation, attributable at least partially to the TLR4 pathway. This study provides molecular justification for S1 in AA treatment.
2.Advances in applications of neuroregulatory techniques in research on brain sciences
Mengnan LIU ; Xiaoyu TIAN ; Yitong LI ; Ning WU ; Jin LI ; Hong LI
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(2):128-136
Drugs and physical stimulation,including light,electricity,and magnetic fields,can be used to influence how neurons operate,among which chemogenetic and optogenetic technologies are most widely used.In recent years,magnetogenetic technology has also been developed that can acti-vate neurons in magnetic fields through magnetic sensitive actuators,leading to non-invasive and instanta-neous activation of specific brain regions.This article reviews the evolution of and problems with chemoge-netic and optogenetic techniques commonly used in brain science research.It also outlines the latest progress in magnetogenetic technologies,which are not full-fledged yet,as well as the role of transcra-nial electrical stimulation,transcranial magnetic stimulation,deep brain stimulation and transcranial ultra-sound stimulation technology in the functional regulation of brain diseases.Constant adjustment and improvement can make it possible for these technologies to be used more widely for the study of brain sciences and the treatment of brain diseases.
3.High expression of CREM is associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients
Mengnan YE ; Hongmei WU ; Yan MEI ; Qingling ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(9):1776-1782
Objective To analyze the expression of CREM in gastric cancer(GC)and its correlation with prognosis of the patients.Methods TCGA and GEO databases were used to analyze the expression levels of CREM mRNA in GC and adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of CREM protein in 43 pairs of GC and adjacent tissues,and the correlation of CREM expression with clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to explore the relationship between CREM expression and survival of GC patients.LinkedOmics database was used to annotate the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of CREM-related genes.Results Database analysis showed that CREM was highly expressed in GC tissues(P<0.05)and positively correlated with poor prognosis in GC patients(P=0.01).Immunohistochemistry results showed significantly higher CREM expression in GC tissues than in paired adjacent tissues(P<0.0001),and its expression level was correlated with T-stage and N-stage of the tumor(P<0.05).The overall survival of GC patients with high expression of CREM was shorter(RR=4.02,P=0.0046).Gene enrichment analysis showed that high CREM expression promotes occurrence and progression of GC very likely through the cell adhesion signaling pathway.Conclusion CREM is highly expressed in GC,and its high expression is associated with a poor prognosis of GC patients,suggesting the potential of CREM to serve as a prognostic indicator for GC.
4.Study on the protective effect and mechanism of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury mice based on serum metabolomics
Mengnan LIU ; Linshen MAO ; Hao WU ; Yuan ZOU ; Qi LAN ; Jinyi XUE ; Ping LIU ; Sijin YANG ; Zhongjing HU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(4):523-531
Objective To observe the protective effect of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule(Zhilong Capsule)on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury(MIRI)in mice,and explore its regulatory mechanism using metabolomics.Methods Using a random number table method,30 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the following three groups:sham operation group,model group,and Zhilong Capsule group(6.24 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group.In mice in the model group and the Zhilong Capsule group,a mouse MIRI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch,while mice in the sham operation group underwent threading without ligation.The Zhilong Capsule group began modeling one week after pre-administration and continued to receive intragastric administration for two weeks after modeling once daily.The cardiac function,including the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fraction shortening(LVFS),was assessed by color echocardiography.The myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis were observed by Masson staining and TUNEL staining,respectively.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum contents of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP).Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with multivariate statistical method was performed for serum metabolite detection and identification analysis.Results Compared with the model group,the mice in the Zhilong Capsule group exhibited an increase in LVEF and LVFS,a reduction in cardiac tissue structure disorder,a decrease in myocardial fibrosis,a decrease in cell apoptosis rate,and a decrease in serum LDH and BNP contents(P<0.05).Metabolomics result showed that intervention with Zhilong Capsule significantly regulated 30 differential metabolites related to MIRI.Important metabolic pathways involved 20 pathways related to tyrosine metabolism,arginine and proline metabolism,and vitamin digestion and absorption.Conclusion Zhilong Capsule has a protective effect on MIRI,and it may achieve this effect by regulating pathways related to tyrosine metabolism,arginine and proline metabolism,and vitamin digestion and absorption.
5.High expression of CREM is associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients
Mengnan YE ; Hongmei WU ; Yan MEI ; Qingling ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(9):1776-1782
Objective To analyze the expression of CREM in gastric cancer(GC)and its correlation with prognosis of the patients.Methods TCGA and GEO databases were used to analyze the expression levels of CREM mRNA in GC and adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of CREM protein in 43 pairs of GC and adjacent tissues,and the correlation of CREM expression with clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to explore the relationship between CREM expression and survival of GC patients.LinkedOmics database was used to annotate the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of CREM-related genes.Results Database analysis showed that CREM was highly expressed in GC tissues(P<0.05)and positively correlated with poor prognosis in GC patients(P=0.01).Immunohistochemistry results showed significantly higher CREM expression in GC tissues than in paired adjacent tissues(P<0.0001),and its expression level was correlated with T-stage and N-stage of the tumor(P<0.05).The overall survival of GC patients with high expression of CREM was shorter(RR=4.02,P=0.0046).Gene enrichment analysis showed that high CREM expression promotes occurrence and progression of GC very likely through the cell adhesion signaling pathway.Conclusion CREM is highly expressed in GC,and its high expression is associated with a poor prognosis of GC patients,suggesting the potential of CREM to serve as a prognostic indicator for GC.
6.Ability of iron sulfur cluster binding protein 1 to respond to magnetic fields
Mengnan LIU ; Xiaoyu TIAN ; Wencan FANG ; Ning WU ; Jin LI ; Hong LI
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(6):420-425
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of iron sulfur cluster binding protein 1(ISCA1)mag-netic field on calcium inflow.METHODS ① A plasmid containing the ISCA1、Magneto 2.0 gene sequence,and an empty plasmid was prepared for lentivirus packaging,with all the three plasmids carrying the mCherry gene.The infection efficiency of lentiviruses was assessed using fluorescence microscopy.② The immunoprecipitation technique was employed to ascertain the interactions between ISCA1 and cryptochrome(CRY1)as well as CRY2 proteins.③ The technique of live cell calcium imaging was used to detect the intracellular calcium influx in cells exhibiting high levels of ISCA1 or Magneto 2.0 expression under the influence of a magnetic field(40 mT,0.1Hz,90%duty cycle).RESULTS ① Red fluorescence was observed by fluorescence microscopy,indicating successful transfection of lentivirus.② The exogenous ISCA1 proteins exhibited no affinity towards the endogenous CRY1 or CRY2 proteins.③ The green fluorescence intensity of the Magneto 2.0 group increased by(1.8±0.5)times compared to the pre-magnetic addition level,indicating a significant influx of calcium ions.However,there was no significant difference in the green fluorescence intensity between the ISCA1 group and control group before and after magnetic addition.CONCLUSION Cells with exogenously high expres-sion of ISCA1 do not elicit calcium influx and exhibit no discernible magnetic induction following stimula-tion by this magnetic field.
7.The norm of the Physical Activity afterschool Questionnaire for Preschooler (P-PAQ) in urban areas of China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(9):1328-1332
Objective:
To establish the norm of the Physical Activity afterschool Questionnaire for Preschooler(P-PAQ) in urban areas of China, so as to provide a basis for graded guidance from the family perspective and to improve children s physical activity levels.
Methods:
From October 2020 to January 2021, 6 267 children aged 3-6 years old were recruited from 40 kindergartens in eight cities across six major administrative regions by stratified cluster sampling, and the P-PAQ initially developed by the researchers of this study were completed by the primary caregivers. The questionnaire was administered to collect data relating to the amount of physical activity undertaken by the preschoolers, and the norm was determined by quartiles. Data relating to parental concepts of sports and parental behavior were assessed by calculating mean scores in order to establish the norm.
Results:
Among preschoolers in urban areas, the M(P 25 ,P 75 ) of total physical activity time (min/day), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time (min/day), outdoor time (min/day) and screen time (min/day) on school days outside kindergarten and on weekends were 84 (54,120), 22 (8,40), 12 (0,24) and 18 (6,30), and 170 (115,240), 60 (30,95), 90 (35,120) and 30 (20,60), respectively. When the score of parents sports concept and behavior (total score of 40) were≥34, 29-<34, 24-<29, <24, it was defined as four levels about above medium, medium, lower medium and lower, respectively. And for two dimensions,when the score of parental sports concept were ≥19, 17-<19, 15-<17, <15,and the score of parental behaviors were ≥16, 12-<16, 8-<12, <8, it was defined as four levels about upper medium, medium, lower medium and lower, respectively.
Conclusion
The norm of extracurricular activities among preschool children in Chinese cities has good representativeness and appropriate threshold values, which could provide a valuable reference for early assessment, as well as guidance in relation to out-of-school physical activity behaviors among children aged 3-6 years old.
8.Ephedra Herb extract ameliorates adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
Yuhan ZHANG ; Mengnan ZENG ; Benke LI ; Beibei ZHANG ; Bing CAO ; Yuanyuan WU ; Shan YE ; Ruiqi XU ; Xiaoke ZHENG ; Weisheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(5):371-382
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb (EH) extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS), providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function. The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits. The levels of reactive oxygen species, immune cells, and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS. The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2, p-CAMKK2, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot. The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay. The AMPK pathway inhibitor (compound C, CC) was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury. EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats. Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury. Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR, which were blocked by CC. In sum, EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.
Rats
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Animals
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Doxorubicin/adverse effects*
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Nephrotic Syndrome
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AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
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Signal Transduction
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TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
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Apoptosis
9.Dietary preference and nutritional knowledge needs of the elderly at meal service sites in Shanghai
Hui ZOU ; Yang SU ; Xiaoli WU ; Mengnan WU ; Shaojun ZHANG ; Huahua DING ; Geng ZONG ; Zhenxing GE
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;35(4):380-386
ObjectiveTo investigate the dietary preference and nutritional knowledge needs of the elderly people who dined at meal service sites. MethodsUsing the form of stratified and convenience sampling method with self-designed questionnaire was used, in November 2021, to select 700 elderly people who dine at meal service sites in 7 jurisdictions in Shanghai were selected, and a self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information. Results91.64% of the elderly surveyed would eat at relatively fixed meal service sites, and the total Dietary Diversity Score (DDS9) was 3.56±1.46. 41.45% of the elderly with diseases preferred unhealthy cooking methods. Only 8.03% of the surveyed seniors said they were unwilling to accept targeted and personalized nutrition tips and reminders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the probability reaching the “understanding” level of “Food Guide Pagoda for Chinese Residents” and “Four Principles Recommended by the Core Dietary Guidelines for the Elderly” was different in the elderly with different education levels. The willingness of the elderly to expect to receive different nutrition tips and reminders was related to whether they cared about the corresponding contents. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) among the elderly who were concerned about different health problems in terms of the willingness to receive different nutritional tips. There were significant differences in the proportion of elderly people with different health status for intervention (χ2=5.402, P<0.05). ConclusionThe elderly who dine at meal service sites are highly dependent on the sites, have a low level of dietary diversification, and do not have a high degree of understanding of nutrition-related knowledge, and have a high demand for targeted nutritional interventions. Nutritional interventions for the sick elderly should be piloted through multiple channels.
10.Correction to: Potentiating CD8+ T cell antitumor activity by inhibiting PCSK9 to promote LDLR-mediated TCR recycling and signaling.
Juanjuan YUAN ; Ting CAI ; Xiaojun ZHENG ; Yangzi REN ; Jingwen QI ; Xiaofei LU ; Huihui CHEN ; Huizhen LIN ; Zijie CHEN ; Mengnan LIU ; Shangwen HE ; Qijun CHEN ; Siyang FENG ; Yingjun WU ; Zhenhai ZHANG ; Yanqing DING ; Wei YANG
Protein & Cell 2022;13(9):694-700


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