1.Design, synthesis and anti-Alzheimer's disease activity evaluation of cinnamyl triazole compounds
Wen-ju LEI ; Zhong-di CAI ; Lin-jie TAN ; Mi-min LIU ; Li ZENG ; Ting SUN ; Hong YI ; Rui LIU ; Zhuo-rong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):150-163
19 cinnamamide/ester-triazole compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity. Among them, compound
2.Targeting PPARα for The Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tong-Tong ZHANG ; Hao-Zhuo ZHANG ; Li HE ; Jia-Wei LIU ; Jia-Zhen WU ; Wen-Hua SU ; Ju-Hua DAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2295-2313
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.
3.Case report of lung cancer and pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis in a 12-year-old boy.
Jing-Wen YU ; Han HUANG ; Li-Li ZHONG ; Min CHEN ; Zhuo-Jie YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(5):618-622
A 12-year-old boy was admitted with symptoms of cough and fever lasting over a month, accompanied by weight loss 2 kg. Prior anti-infective treatments proved ineffective in alleviating the symptoms. Chest imaging revealed diffuse interstitial pulmonary edema in the right lung with obstructed lymphatic drainage. Combined with histopathological examinations, the diagnosis was confirmed as lung cancer with pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis. The patient underwent chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin, yet the disease progressively worsened, resulting in death three months after diagnosis. This case highlights lung cancer should not be overlooked in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms of unknown etiology. Early imaging examinations, along with necessary pathological evaluations, are crucial for timely detection and diagnosis. The presence of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis often indicates an advanced-stage of cancer, associated with a poor prognosis.
Humans
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Male
;
Lung Neoplasms/complications*
;
Child
;
Carcinoma/drug therapy*
4.Prognostic significance of molecular minimal residual disease before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with acute myeloid leukemia.
Xiu-Wen XU ; Hao XIONG ; Jian-Xin LI ; Zhi CHEN ; Fang TAO ; Yu DU ; Zhuo WANG ; Li YANG ; Wen-Jie LU ; Ming SUN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(6):675-681
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the prognostic value of molecular minimal residual disease (Mol-MRD) monitored before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
METHODS:
Clinical data of 71 pediatric AML patients who underwent HSCT between August 2016 and December 2023 were analyzed. Mol-MRD levels were dynamically monitored in MRD-positive patients, and survival outcomes were evaluated.
RESULTS:
No significant difference in the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was observed between patients with pre-HSCT Mol-MRD ≥0.01% and <0.01% (77.3% ± 8.9% vs 80.4% ± 7.9%, P=0.705). However, patients with pre-HSCT Mol-MRD <1.75% had a significantly higher 3-year OS rate than those with Mol-MRD ≥1.75% (86.6% ± 5.6% vs 44.4% ± 16.6%, P=0.020). The median Mol-MRD level in long-term survivors was significantly lower than in non-survivors [0.61% (range: 0.04%-51.58%)] vs 10.60% (range: 1.90%-19.75%), P=0.035]. Concurrent flow cytometry-based MRD positivity was significantly higher in non-survivors (80% vs 24%, P=0.039). There was no significant difference in the 3-year overall survival rate between patients with Mol-MRD ≥0.01% and those with <0.01% at 30 days post-HSCT (P=0.527). For children with Mol-MRD <0.22% at 30 days post-HSCT, the 3-year overall survival rate was 80.4% ± 5.9%, showing no significant difference compared to those with molecular negativity (87.0% ± 7.0%) (P=0.523).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with pre-HSCT Mol-MRD <1.75% or post-HSCT Mol-MRD <0.22% may achieve long-term survival outcomes comparable to Mol-MRD-negative cases through HSCT and targeted interventions.
Humans
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Neoplasm, Residual
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics*
;
Child
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child, Preschool
;
Prognosis
;
Adolescent
;
Infant
;
Transplantation, Homologous
5.Zedoarondiol Inhibits Neovascularization in Atherosclerotic Plaques of ApoE-/- Mice by Reducing Platelet Exosomes-Derived MiR-let-7a.
Bei-Li XIE ; Bo-Ce SONG ; Ming-Wang LIU ; Wei WEN ; Yu-Xin YAN ; Meng-Jie GAO ; Lu-Lian JIANG ; Zhi-Die JIN ; Lin YANG ; Jian-Gang LIU ; Da-Zhuo SHI ; Fu-Hai ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(3):228-239
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment.
METHODS:
ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation.
RESULTS:
Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36.
CONCLUSION
Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Exosomes/drug effects*
;
Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics*
;
Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics*
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Blood Platelets/drug effects*
;
Apolipoproteins E/deficiency*
;
Thrombospondin 1/metabolism*
;
CD36 Antigens/metabolism*
;
Platelet Activation/drug effects*
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
6.Clinical characteristics and nutritional status of children with Crohn's disease and risk factors for malnutrition
Dong-Dan LI ; Xiao-Lin YE ; Mei-Chen WANG ; Hong-Mei HUANG ; Jie YAN ; Tian-Zhuo ZHANG ; Fei-Hong YU ; De-Xiu GUAN ; Wen-Li YANG ; Lu-Lu XIA ; Jie WU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(11):1194-1201
Objective To investigate the nutritional status of children with Crohn's Disease (CD) at diagnosis and its association with clinical characteristics. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data and nutritional status of 118 children with CD who were admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital,Capital Medical University,from January 2016 to January 2024. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for malnutrition. Results A total of 118 children with CD were included,among whom there were 68 boys (57.6%) and 50 girls (42.4%),with a mean age of (11±4) years. Clinical symptoms mainly included recurrent abdominal pain (73.7%,87/118),diarrhea (37.3%,44/118),and hematochezia (32.2%,38/118),and 63.6% (75/118) of the children had weight loss at diagnosis. The incidence rate of malnutrition was 63.6% (75/118),and the children with moderate or severe malnutrition accounted for 67% (50/75). There were 50 children (42.4%) with emaciation,8 (6.8%) with growth retardation,and 9 (7.6%) with overweight or obesity. Measurement of nutritional indices showed a reduction in serum albumin in 83 children (70.3%),anemia in 74 children (62.7%),and a reduction in 25 hydroxyvitamin D in 15 children (60%,15/25). The children with malnutrition had significantly higher disease activity,proportion of children with intestinal stenosis,and erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a significant reduction in serum albumin (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that intestinal stenosis was an independent risk factor for malnutrition in children with CD (OR=4.416,P<0.05). Conclusions There is a high incidence rate of malnutrition in children with CD at diagnosis,which is associated with disease activity and disease behavior. The nutritional status of children with CD should be closely monitored.
7.Effect of ureteral obstruction on renal pelvic function and pacemaker cells in neonatal rats
Chuanchuan REN ; Guangyang CHENG ; Xiaojie LI ; Yan WANG ; Zhuo YE ; Guoxian ZHANG ; Qingwei WANG ; Jianguo WEN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(3):215-220
Objective:To investigate the effects of unilateral ureteral obstruction on renal pelvic peristalsis and pacemaker cells in neonatal rats.Methods:An animal experimental study.Thirty-six 2-day-old newborn SD rats were randomly divided into the partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) group, complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (CUUO) group, and sham operation group, with 12 rats in each group.One week after surgery, all rats were subjected to renal pelvic pressure (RPP) measurement by puncture.After measurement, the rats were euthanized, and their left renal pelvis and ureter were removed and fixed for histological examination.Parameters such as RPP, peristaltic wave frequency and amplitude at different perfusion speeds were recorded and compared, and the changes in pacemaker cells (atypical smooth muscle cells and Cajal-like interstitial cells) were also compared.The independent samples t-test was used for comparison between 2 groups, and the one-way ANOVA of variance was used for comparison among 3 groups. Results:In the sham operation group, the RPP increased gradually with the increase of perfusion speed; the frequency of peristaltic waves rose rapidly and then dropped after reaching the highest level with the increase of perfusion speed; similarly, the amplitude of peristaltic waves first increased and then decreased as the perfusion speed increased.In the PUUO group, the RPP increased rapidly with the increase of perfusion speed, higher than that in the sham operation group; the frequency of peristaltic waves was higher than that in the sham operation group, and it was relatively constant under the perfusion speed of 40 mL/h, but when the perfusion speed increased again, the frequency began to decline; the amplitude of peristaltic waves increased quickly and then declined at a faster rate than the sham operation group with the increase of perfusion speed.In the CUUO group, the basic RPP was 12 cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa); at the perfusion speed of 5 mL/h, the RPP rose gradually, and no plateau appeared; when the RPP reached 73 cmH 2O, the perfusate retrograded from the side of the puncture needle, then the RPP slightly decreased and then balanced, and no regular peristaltic waves were observed in the renal pelvis throughout the whole perfusion process.Immunofluorescence staining analysis showed the pacemaker cells were all located in the smooth muscle of the renal pelvic wall.The sham operation group had the highest positive rate, followed by the PUUO group and then the CUUO group. Conclusions:Ureteral obstruction has a significant impact on the peristalsis of the renal pelvis, and its impact on the peristaltic wave frequency and amplitude and RPP can be predicted.The reduction of pacemaker cells in the renal pelvis may be involved in the changes of renal pelvic peristalsis caused by ureteral obstruction, but further research is needed on how pacemaker cells regulate the peristalsis of the renal pelvis and ureter.
8.Finite element and biomechanical analysis of different implants in repair for unilateral unstable pelvic posterior ring injury
Cheng LIANG ; Linqi ZHANG ; Guan WANG ; Wen LI ; Ke DUAN ; Zhong LI ; Xiaobo LU ; Naiqiang ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(9):1336-1341
BACKGROUND:The stability of the pelvis is mainly determined by the posterior pelvic ring and the sacroiliac joint.The posterior pelvic ring injury and the dislocation of the sacroiliac joint caused by high energy impacts such as car accidents increase year by year.Surgical treatment is the best method,and there are many kinds of endophytorepair methods in clinical practice,but which treatment method has the best biomechanical properties is still controversial. OBJECTIVE:To compare the biomechanical properties of three kinds of internal implants:anterior double plates,posterior bridging plate and tension nail in the repair of unilateral unstable pelvic posterior ring injury,to provide a reference for the clinical treatment and development of a new pelvic tension screw. METHODS:(1)Finite element simulation:Mimics,Wrap and SolidWorks were used to establish normal pelvic model,unilateral injured pelvis model,and three kinds of internal implant repaired models(anterior double plates,posterior bridging plate and tension nail).Ansys was used to analyze the stress and deformation of the models.(2)Biomechanical test:A total of 15 intact pelvic specimens were randomly grouped into five groups,normal pelvic model,unilateral injured pelvis model,anterior double plates,posterior bridging plate and tension nail groups.The mechanical test was performed using an Instron E10000 testing machine. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Simulation:In the normal pelvic model,the average displacement of the sacrum was 0.174 mm,and the maximum stress of the sacral iliac bone was 10.51 MPa,and the stress distribution was uniform.The mean sacral displacement of the unilateral injured pelvis model was 0.267 mm,and the stress concentration of the model was obvious.The mean displacement of the sacrum in the three repaired models was close to that in the normal pelvic model,and the stress distribution of the sacral iliac bone in the tension nail repaired model was uniform.(2)Mechanical test:The stiffness of the normal pelvic model was(226.38±4.18)N/mm,and that of the unilateral unstable pelvic model was the smallest(130.02±2.19)N/mm.The deviation of the normal pelvic model stiffness and the three repaired models'stiffness were all within(±10%),and the repair effect was obvious.(3)The simulation results were in agreement with the experimental results.(4)The biomechanics of the tension nail repaired model was the most similar to that of the normal pelvis,and this method was the best.The repairing stiffness of the anterior double plate was too large,and the stress shielding effect was more significant.The posterior bridging plate repair could not solve the compensatory effect of the normal side soft tissue and had defects.This study provides an optimal basis for clinical surgery.(5)The new type of pelvic tension nail should be improved from the point of view of the tension nail to retain the good biomechanical properties of the tension nail,while adding other advantages,such as being used for the osteoporotic pelvis.
9.Advances in crystal nucleation for amorphous drugs
Jie ZHANG ; Kang LI ; Zi-qing YANG ; Zi-han DING ; Sai-jun XIAO ; Zhi-ming YUE ; Li-mei CAI ; Jia-wen LI ; Ding KUANG ; Min-zhuo LIU ; Zhi-hong ZENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(7):1962-1969
Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is one of the most effective formulation approaches to enhance the water solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, maintenance of physical stability of amorphous drug is one of the main challenges in the development of ASD. Crystallization is a process of nucleation and crystal growth. The nucleation is the key factor that influences the physical stability of the ASD. However, a theoretical framework to describe the way to inhibit the nucleation of amorphous drug is not yet available. We reviewed the methods and theories of nucleation for amorphous drug. Meanwhile, we also summarized the research progress on the mechanism of additives influence on nucleation and environmental factors on nucleation. This review aims to enhance the better understanding mechanism of nucleation of amorphous drug and controlling over the crystal nucleation during the ASD formulation development.
10.Research of the interaction between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the EMT pathway in mediating sunitinib-resistance in renal cancer cells
Fang-Zhen CAI ; Yan-Mei ZHANG ; Si-Huai HUANG ; Wen-Bin LIU ; Wei-Feng ZHUO ; Jian-Wei LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(17):2483-2487
Objective To investigate the mechanism of the interaction between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)pathway in mediating sunitinib-resistance in renal cancer cells.Methods The sunitinib-resistant kidney cancer cell lines were constructed by stepwise increase in drug concentrations method with sunitinib,and were divided into resistance group,lv-NC group and lv-Twist group,and human kidney cancer cell lines were selected as normal group.The normal and drug-resistant groups were treated with conventional culture;the lv-NC group was treated with 40 μL of lv-NC lentivirus supernatant containing 2.25 × 108 TU·mL-1 for 72 h,and the lv-Twist group was treated with 50 μL of Twist lentivirus supernatant containing 1.64 × 108 TU·mL-1 for 72 h.The apoptosis ability was detected by flow cytometry;the cell migration ability was detected by cell scratch assay;the cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell assay;and the protein expression levels of Wnt1,β-catenin and Twist were detected by Western blotting assay.Results The apoptosis rates of control,resistant,lv-NC and lv-Twist groups were(17.60±0.59)%,(8.61±0.34)%,(8.60±0.40)%and(3.10±0.34)%;the migration rates were(14.10±0.12)%,(27.64±0.41)%,(14.24±0.45)%and(32.74±2.53)%;the number of invading cells was 27.33±1.15,53.33±1.53,46.00±2.65 and 99.33±2.52;the relative expression levels of Wnt1 protein were 0.10±0.01,0.96±0.06,0.39±0.03 and 3.09±0.31;the relative expression levels of β-catenin protein were 0.39±0.01,1.48±0.16,0.81±0.05 and 1.24±0.14;the relative expression levels of Twist protein were 0.10±0.02,0.91±0.04,0.39±0.03 and 3.09±0.31,respectively.The differences of above indexes were statistically significant between the resistant group and the normal group,and between the lv-Twist group and the lv-NC group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Twist(EMT related protein)mediates sunitinib resistance in renal cell carcinoma by interacting with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

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