1.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
2.Investigation of an outbreak of group A human G9P [8] rotavirus infectious diarrhea among adults in Chongqing
Yang WANG ; Yuan KONG ; Ning CHEN ; Lundi YANG ; Jiang LONG ; Qin LI ; Xiaoyang XU ; Wei ZHENG ; Hong WEI ; Jie LU ; Quanjie XIAO ; Yingying BA ; Wenxi WU ; Qian XU ; Ju YAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):663-668
ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze an outbreak of rotavirus infectious diarrhea in a prison in Chongqing Municipality, to provide a basis for adult rotavirus surveillance and prevention, and to explore the public health problems in special settings. MethodsA retrospective survey was conducted to collect and analyze data on individual cases with diarrheal disease on-site. The clinical characteristics, as well as the temporal, spatial and geographical distribution patterns of the epidemic were described. Multi-pathogen detection tests were conducted both on diarrhea cases and environmental samples, with viral genotyping performed on positive samples. A case-control analysis was performed to identify the causes of the outbreak, and an SEIR model was adopted to predict the outbreak trend and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. ResultsA total of 65 cases were found among the inmates, with an attack rate of 2.03%. The predominant clinical manifestations included diarrhea (89.23%), watery stool (73.85%), and dehydration (18.46%). The epidemic curve indicated a “human-to-human” transmission pattern, with an average incubation period of 5‒6 days. The attack rates among chefs in the main canteen (80.00%, 8/10) and caterers (28.33%, 17/60) were significantly higher than those of other inmates (P<0.05). Multi-pathogen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detected positive for group A rotavirus, with the viral genotyping identified as G9P [8] strain. Factors such as unprotected "bare-handed" food distribution among cases with diarrhea (OR=9.512, 95%CI: 4.261‒21.234) and close contact with diarrhea cases (OR=3.656, 95%CI: 1.719‒7.778) were the possible cause of the outbreak. The SEIR model (r0=5, α=0.3, β1=0.08, β2=0.04) was constructed using prison inmates as susceptible population, aiming at fitting the initial transmission trend of the outbreak, and the epidemic rate declined rapidly after intervention measures were implemented (rt≈0). ConclusionThis rare rotavirus infection diarrhea outbreak among adults in confined settings suggests that the construction of public health prevention and control systems in prison may be overlooked. Cross infection during meal processing and distribution in the canteens of such settings is likely to be the cause of the outbreak. Given the potential neglect of public heath system construction in special settings, it is imperative to enhance the surveillance and monitoring of rotavirus and other intestinal multi-pathogens among adults, as well as the construction of public health prevention and control systems in these special settings.
3.Research progress in treatment of ulcerative colitis with traditional Chinese medicine.
Wen-Xin ZHENG ; Hong LI ; Chen MA ; Qin WANG ; Jian GU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):860-873
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory disease with a complex etiology and a tendency for recurrence. So far, the clinical efficacy of western medicine in treating UC has been poor and is often accompanied by adverse reactions. Therefore, the multi-target, multi-level, synergistic, and heterogeneous characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) are more beneficial for the treatment of UC. As one of the largest microbiotas, the intestinal flora is closely related to human health and disease. Once the intestinal flora becomes dysfunctional, it can affect the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, thereby exacerbating UC. Additionally, the abnormal activation of signaling pathways may lead to dysregulation of the inflammatory response and play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC. Many studies have shown that individual TCMs and their compounds can further protect the intestinal barrier and immune system function by regulating the intestinal flora and associated signaling pathways, achieving therapeutic effects for UC. This paper summarizes the latest research results in China and abroad on the regulation of intestinal flora and related signaling pathways by individual TCMs and compounds in the treatment of UC, aiming to provide theoretical references for the clinical practice of TCM in treating UC and for related new drug research and development.
Humans
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Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
6.Clinical efficacy of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
Yu-Hong XIE ; Gang YI ; Xiao-Wen YI ; Tong-Lin SUN ; Qun-Fang LIN ; Jun ZHOU ; Xin-Jun LUO ; Fang-Zhi FU ; Biao WANG ; Qin-Zheng WANG ; Lie ZHANG ; Yang YANG ; Rui-Song GAO ; Qing ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(4):341-348
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills on hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC).
METHODS:
Eighty patients who were diagnosed with HSPC and renal-yang deficiency at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Mayang Miao Autonomous County from 1st April 2021 to 30th April 2024 were randomly divided into 2 groups. The patients in the control group were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). And the patients in treatment group were treated with Shenqi Pills orally on the basis of the control group. The baseline data of the two groups were analyzed. After 36 months of treatment, the differences between the two groups were compared in terms of overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA response rate, Functional Assessment Scale for Prostate Cancer Therapy (FACT-P), Chinese medicine evidence scores, testosterone level and safety.
RESULTS:
A total of 80 study subjects were included in this study, including 42 cases in the treatment group and 38 cases in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the baseline data between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). At the end of the observation period, a statistically significant difference in OS was found in the treatment group compared to the control group in the subgroup of patients with a disease duration ranged of 0-6 months (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in PSA levels in the treatment group at 3 months (P>0.05). And the differences in the proportion of PSA50 (98.1% vs 91.4%), PSA90 (92.9% vs 84.6%) and the proportion of decrease in PSA (56.7% vs 33.8%) in the treatment group were found compared to those in the control group after 6 months of tre atment. After 12 months of treatment, the scores of FACT-4 and renal-yang deficiency in the treatment group were (95.28±7.93) and (15.73±5.70) respectively, compared to the scores in the control group ([85.46±10.12] and [18.20±4.27] (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ([0.60±0.24] nmol/L vs [1.09±2.10] nmol/L) between the two groups (P>0.05). After 24 months of treatment, there were significant differences in in the FACT-4 total score ([97.95±7.54] vs [80.33±8.58]), renal-yang deficiency syndrome score ([14.64±5.15] vs [24.94±8.75]) between the treatment group and the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum testosterone ( [0.73±1.01] nmol/L vs [0.59±0.25] nmol/L) between the two groups (P> 0.05). Better therapeutic results were showed in the treatment group in terms of total FACT-P score, physical situation score, social and family situation score, emotional state score, functional state score, additional score and renal-yang deficiency symptom score (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no serious adverse reaction in the course of treatment, and no obvious abnormality was found in the liver and kidney function of the patients from two groups.
CONCLUSION
Endocrinotherapy combined with Shenqi Pills is safe and effective in HSPC and can reduce the risk of death in HSPC patients, and the earlier the intervention, the longer the overall survival of the patients. In addition, this treatment regimen can increase the PSA response rate, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the renal-yang deficiency syndrome score without the risk of elevating serum testosterone levels.
Humans
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Male
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
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Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use*
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Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood*
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Aged
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Middle Aged
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Treatment Outcome
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Testosterone
7.Qingda Granule Attenuates Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Damage via Regulating Renin-Angiotensin System Pathway.
Lin-Zi LONG ; Ling TAN ; Feng-Qin XU ; Wen-Wen YANG ; Hong-Zheng LI ; Jian-Gang LIU ; Ke WANG ; Zhi-Ru ZHAO ; Yue-Qi WANG ; Chao-Ju WANG ; Yi-Chao WEN ; Ming-Yan HUANG ; Hua QU ; Chang-Geng FU ; Ke-Ji CHEN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):402-411
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.
METHODS:
Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
RESULTS:
The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Hypertension/pathology*
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Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects*
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Rats, Inbred SHR
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Male
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Rats, Inbred WKY
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Blood Pressure/drug effects*
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Myocardium/pathology*
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Rats
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Inflammation/pathology*
8.(±)-Talapyrones A-F: six pairs of dimeric polyketide enantiomers with unusual 6/6/6 and 6/6/6/5 ring systems from Talaromycesadpressus.
Meijia ZHENG ; Xinyi ZHAO ; Chenxi ZHOU ; Hong LIAO ; Qin LI ; Yuling LU ; Bingbing DAI ; Weiguang SUN ; Ying YE ; Chunmei CHEN ; Yonghui ZHANG ; Hucheng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):932-937
(±)-Talapyrones A-F (1-6), six pairs of dimeric polyketide enantiomers featuring unusual 6/6/6 and 6/6/6/5 ring systems, were isolated from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and HR-ESI-MS data, and their absolute configurations were elucidated using a modified Mosher's method and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. (±)-Talapyrones A-F (1-6) possess a 6/6/6 tricyclic skeleton, presumably formed through a Michael addition reaction between one molecule of α-pyrone derivative and one molecule of C8 poly-β-keto chain. In addition, compounds 2/3 and 4/5 are two pairs of C-18 epimers, respectively. Putative biosynthetic pathways of 1-6 were discussed.
Polyketides/isolation & purification*
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Talaromyces/chemistry*
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Stereoisomerism
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Molecular Structure
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Circular Dichroism
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Pyrones/chemistry*
9.Effect of miR-30d-5p on the growth and metastasis of cervical cancer cells
Hong PAN ; Ke MA ; Yan CAO ; Zheng-Wen QIN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(8):670-675
Objective To explore the expression of miR-30d-5p in cervical cancer and its effect on malignant biological behavior of cervical cancer cells.Methods qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-30d-5p in cervical cancer tissues,adjacent tissues,normal cervical cells and cervical cancer cells.The mimic negative control(mimic NC)and miR-30d-5p mimic were transfected into SiHa cells,and the transfection efficiency of miR-30d-5p was detected by qRT-PCR.CCK-8 and cell clone formation experiments were used to detect cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis.Scratch wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to detect cell migration and invasion,respectively.Western blot was used to detect the expression of cell apoptosis and invasion-related proteins.Results Compared with adjacent tissues,the expression level of miR-30d-5p in cervical cancer tissues was significantly down-regulated(P<0.01).Compared withEct1/E6E7 cells,the expression level of miR-30d-5p in cervical cancer cell lines was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Overexpression of miR-30d-5p inhibited the proliferation,migration and invasion of SiHa cells and promoted apoptosis(P<0.01).In addition,overexpression of miR-30d-5p significantly down-regulated the expression levels of Bcl-2,N-cadherin and Vimentin(P<0.01),and significantly up-regulated the expression levels of Bax,cleaved caspase-3 and E-cadherin(P<0.01).Conclusion miR-30d-5p is significantly down-regulated in human cervical cancer tissues and related cervical cancer cell lines.miR-30d-5p can inhibit cervical cancer cells in vitro by inhibiting cell proliferation,migration and invasion,suggesting that miR-30d-5p may be a potential new target for diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer patients.
10.Effect of GusongYigu decoction on gut microbiota in ovariectomized rats based on 16 S rRNA sequencing
Xu-Xia ZHENG ; Shuang CHAI ; Li-Wei WEI ; Hong ZHANG ; Na QIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1752-1759
Aim To explore the mechanism of Guso-ngYigu decoction(GSYG)in the treatment of postm-enopausal osteoporosis(PMOP)based on the gut mi-crobiota.Methods Sixty SPF grade SD rats were ran-domly divided into Control group(Control),Model group(Model),GSYG low-dose group(GSYG-L,1.25 g·kg-1),medium-dose group(GSYG-M,2.5 g·kg-1)and high-dose group(GSYG-H,5 g·kg-1)and alendronate group(Al,0.89 mg·kg-1),with 10 rats in each group.The changes of bone histomorpholo-gy were detected by HE staining and the changes of fe-mur tissue structure were observed by micro-CT.The fecal samples from the colon of Control group,Model group,GSYG-H group were taken to extract the DNA of fecal samples.The Illumina Miseq platform was used to carry out high-throughput sequencing.Results Compared with the Control group,bone trabecula in the Model group was sparse,BV/TV,Tb.Th,Tb.N and BMD decreased(P<0.01),while SMI and Tb.Sp increased(P<0.01);compared with the Model group,the number of bone trabeculae in GSYG-L,GSYG-M,GSYG-H group and Al group increased,the bone microstructure was improved,BV/TV,Tb.Th,Tb.N and BMD increased significantly(P<0.05),and SMI and Tb.Sp increased(P<0.05).Sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that,compared with the Control group,the gut microbiota diversity of Mod-el group decreased,the flora abundance of Firmicutes decreased,while the Bacteroidetes abundance in-creased.Compared with the Model group,the Firmi-cutes abundance increased and Bacteroidetes abundance decreased in GSYG-H group.Conclusions GSYG can improve bone microstructure and increase bone mineral density,and its mechanism may be related to increasing the diversity of gut microbiota and regulating the structure of gut microbiota.

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