1.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
Background:
Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD.
Methods:
Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot.
Results:
Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression.
Conclusion
Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD.
2.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
Background:
Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD.
Methods:
Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot.
Results:
Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression.
Conclusion
Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD.
3.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
Background:
Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD.
Methods:
Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot.
Results:
Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression.
Conclusion
Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD.
4.Analysis of transabdominal bowel ultrasound characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related colitis and their correlation with endoscopy
Qingyang ZHOU ; Li MA ; Hao TANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Yanlin ZENG ; Bo LU ; Qingli ZHU ; Bei TAN ; Jiaming QIAN
Chinese Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2025;09(1):67-73
Objective:To analyze the characteristics of transabdominal bowel ultrasound (TBUS) in immune checkpoint inhibitor-related colitis (IRC) and their correlation with endoscopic manifestations.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data from 10 patients with IRC treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were collected. The ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS) and Limberg classification were used to assess the severity of colonoscopy and TBUS examinations, respectively. Kendall's tau-b method was applied for correlation analysis between UCEIS scores and Limberg classification.Results:All the 10 patients were male with a median age of 65 years (59-74 years). The majority had lung cancer (8 patients) and all were in advanced stages, with 6 patients in stage Ⅲ and 4 in stage Ⅳ. They all received anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) /anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined with chemotherapy, among whom 2 patients were combined with anti-angiogenic drug treatment. The median time from the first immunotherapy to the onset of IRC was 1.50 (0.25-12.00) months; the median time from IRC treatment to clinical symptom relief to G1 was 2.45 (0.50-8.00) weeks. Nine patients were in the active phase, mainly G3 (8 patients) ; 1 was in the remission phase after treatment. TBUS showed that among the 9 active IRC patients, the entire colon was mainly involved (7 patients), with combined small intestine involvement (3 patients) ; the main manifestations were thickening of the bowel wall, with the thickest bowel wall being 7.0 (5.0-8.0) mm, mainly located in the sigmoid colon (3 patients) and descending colon (3 patients) ; increased bowel wall blood flow signals (Limberg classification 2-4) occurred in 7 patients; 3 active patients had perienteric fat wrapping, and 2 had blurred bowel wall stratification. The Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient r between the entire colon UCEIS scores and Limberg classification was 0.891 ( P = 0.003), and the Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient r between the colon segment UCEIS scores and Limberg classification was 0.690 ( P < 0.001) . Conclusion:During the active phase, the left colon of IRC is more severe in TBUS, which mainly manifests as the thickening bowel wall and increased blood flow signals, and the TBUS has good correlation with colonoscopy evaluation.
5.Efficacy and its related factors of rituximab treatment in children with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome
Mengjie JIANG ; Zhenchun ZHU ; Lizhi CHEN ; Yuxin PEI ; Liping RONG ; Yuanyuan XU ; Zhilang LIN ; Yuanquan QIU ; Bei JIN ; Cheng CHENG ; Xiaojun OUYANG ; Guohua HE ; Xiaoyun JIANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(9):670-676
Objective:To explore the efficacy and its related factors of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS).Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. The clinical data of FRNS/SDNS children first treated with RTX in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 1, 2016 to September 1, 2023 were collected. The number of relapse within 1 year before and after RTX treatment, the time to first relapse after RTX treatment, and the time to B-cell reconstitution were analyzed. At the first treatment, a single dose of RTX was given at 375 mg/m 2, with a maximum dose of 500 mg, once a week, for 1 to 4 doses. The count of CD19 + lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of the children was continuously monitored. If B-cell reconstruction was performed, the decision on whether to proceed to the next course of RTX treatment was made based on clinical manifestations. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze relapse-free survival rate after receiving RTX. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the related factors of relapse after RTX treatment. Results:A total of 98 FRNS/SDNS children receiving RTX treatment were enrolled, including 75 males (76.5%). The age at onset was 4.0 (1.9, 7.1) years and age of receiving RTX was 11.3 (8.5, 13.5) years. There were 90 children (91.8%) achieving complete remission, while 8 patients (8.2%) did not respond to RTX treatment, and 3 patients (3.1%) progressed to end-stage kidney disease after receiving RTX. The relapse-free survival rates at 6 months and 1 year after RTX treatment were 83.3% (75/90) and 57.9% (22/38), respectively. The frequency of relapse 1 year after RTX treatment decreased compared to 1 year before RTX treatment ( Z=-7.398, P<0.001). Compared with children without relapse during the period of B-cell depletion, relapsed children had a higher number of relapse within one year after RTX treatment ( Z=5.246, P<0.001). The time to first relapse after RTX treatment was 8.3 (4.6, 13.9) months in 51 relapse patients. Compared with children receiving 1 dose of RTX in the first course, those receiving 2 or more doses had a longer time to the first relapse ( Z=2.983, P=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in time to the first relapse between children who received mycophenolate mofetil therapy after RTX treatment and those who didn't ( P>0.05). The reconstruction time of B cells after the first course of RTX was 6.9 (5.3, 9.0) months. Compared to children receiving one dose of RTX in the first course, those receiving two or more doses had a longer B-cell reconstitution time ( Z=2.739, P=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in B-cell reconstitution time between children who received mycophenolate mofetil therapy after RTX treatment and those who didn't ( P>0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that recurrence after calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) treatment before RTX treatment and the number of recurrence in one year before RTX treatment were correlated factors of recurrence after RTX treatment (both P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that recurrence after CNI treatment before RTX treatment was an independent correlated factor of relapse after RTX therapy ( HR=3.496, 95% CI 1.245-9.818, P=0.018). Infusion reactions occurred in 10 patients (10.2%) and infections were observed in 24 patients (24.5%) during B cell depletion. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions:RTX is well tolerated and effective in treating FRNS/SDNS. Recurrence after CNI treatment before RTX treatment may be an independent related factor of relapse after RTX treatment.
6.Intelligent robot-assisted minimally invasive reduction system for fresh subtrochanteric fractures of the femur
Ruofei MA ; Chunpeng ZHAO ; Honghu XIAO ; Mingjian BEI ; Gang ZHU ; Yu WANG ; Yingchun SONG ; Xinbao WU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(2):109-116
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of our self-designed intelligent robot-assisted reduction system for fresh subtrochanteric fractures of the femur.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to include 10 patients with fresh subtrochanteric fracture of the femur who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2024 to July 2024. There were 7 males and 3 females with an age of (45.0±14.3) years and an interval from injury to surgery of (7.9±3.7) d. All the patients were treated by minimally invasive reduction which was assisted by our self-designed intelligent robot, and internal fixation with intramedullary nails. The operation duration, intraoperative reduction duration, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency were recorded. The reduction effect was evaluated by calculating the differences between preoperative planning and postoperative CT reconstruction (i.e., the differences in femoral shaft length and in rotation angle). The hip functional recovery was assessed by Harris hip function Scoring.Results:The mean operation time was 200.0 (161.3, 217.5) min, the reduction time (83.0±35.5) min, the intraoperative blood loss (290.0±110.1) mL, and the intraoperative fluoroscopy 18.5 (9.0, 19.3) times. In all patients, the difference in femoral shaft length was (2.4±1.4) mm, and the difference in rotation angle 5.1°±3.0°. All patients were followed up for (8.2±2.0)months. All the fractures got united at the last follow-up. Their Harris hip function score was (83.3±4.1) points.Conclusion:Our self-designed intelligent robot-assisted reduction system is feasible and effective in the surgery of fresh subtrochanteric fracture of the femur, because the robot system can complete the autonomous planning of reduction approaches before surgery and assist fracture reduction under real-time monitoring with three-dimensional images, leading to fine outcomes.
7.Application of multidisciplinary team collaboration model in vascular access management of patients with maintenance hemodialysis
Ziqiao ZHU ; Bei WANG ; Xianrong XU ; Suyan DUAN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(20):95-100
Objective To explore the application effect of the multidisciplinary team collaboration model in vascular access management for patients with maintenance hemodialysis.Methods A total of 102 patients with maintenance hemodialysis in the hospital from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group by the random number table method,with 51 cases in each group.The observation group re-ceived routine nursing combined with the multidisciplinary team collaboration model,while the control group received routine nursing.The multidisciplinary team collaboration model involved professionals from multiple disciplines,including nephrologists,vascular surgeons,interventional radiologists,B-ultrasound doctors,clinical pharmacists,nutritionists,psychological counselors,the head nurse of the blood purification center,and blood purification specialist nurses.The intervention duration was 6 months.The related indicators of dialysis adequacy[urea reduction ratio(URR),equilibrium urea clearance rate(eKt/V)],psychological burden[the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS)],vascular access satisfaction degree[the Simple Version of Vascular Access Questionnaire(VAQ)],quality of life[the Kidney Disease-Targeted Areas Scale(KDTA)and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey(SF-36)],and complications were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention.Results After the intervention,the levels of URR and eKt/V and the score of each dimension of quality of life in the observation group were signifi-cantly higher than those in the control group,while the SAS and SDS scores were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).After the intervention,the satisfaction rate of vascular access in the observation group was 96.08%(49/51),which was significantly higher than 80.39%(41/51)in the control group(x2=6.044,P=0.014).The total complication rate in the observa-tion group was 1.96%(1/51),which was significantly lower than 13.73%(7/51)in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The adoption of the multidisciplinary team collaboration model for patients with maintenance hemodialysis is beneficial for improving the adequacy of hemodialysis,re-ducing psychological burden,enhancing vascular access satisfaction and quality of life,and preven-ting complications.
8.Relationship between serum CXCL12,Apelin-13 levels and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Bei ZHU ; Luping CHEN ; Ting YANG ; Fusong JIANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2485-2489
Objective To explore the relationship between serum CXC chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12),an-giotensin Ⅱ receptor-like 1 endogenous ligand 13(Apelin-13)and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods From October 2022 to September 2024,a total of 105 T2DM patients in Rugao People's Hospital(the hospital)were included as the T2DM group,and healthy volunteers who experienced physical check ups in the hospital were regarded as the control group.According to whether T2DM patients developed CAS,they were assigned into non CAS group(n=61)and CAS group(n=44).Fully automatic biochemical analyzer was applied to detect the levels of blood lipid indicators total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein choles-terol(LDL-C).Fully automatic glycated hemoglobin analyzer was used to detect glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)level.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the levels of CXCL12 and Apelin-13.Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of concurrent CAS in T2DM.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between CXCL12,Apelin-13 and the course of diabetes,blood glucose and lipid indicators.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to ana-lyze the predictive value of CXCL12 and Apelin-13 for T2DM complicated with CAS,and the Z-test was ap-plied to compare the differences in the area under the curve(AUC).Results The level of CXCL12 in the T2DM group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),and Apelin-13 level was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The course of T2DM,HbA1c,TC,TG,LDL-C,and CXCL12 levels in the CAS group were higher than those in the non CAS group(P<0.05),while HDLC and Apelin-13 levels were lower than those in the non CAS group(P<0.05).The level of CXCL12 in the CAS group was positively correlated with the course of T2DM,HbA1c,TC,TG,and LDL-C levels(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with HDL-C levels(P<0.05),while the correlation of Apelin-13 was opposite(P<0.05).CXCL12 and Apelin-13 were independent influencing factors for concurrent CAS in T2DM patients(P<0.05).The AUC predicted by CX-CL12 and Apelin-13 in T2DM patients complicated with CAS was 0.916,which was better than 0.783 and 0.788 predicted separately(P<0.05).Conclusion The high levels of CXCL12 and low levels of Apelin-13 in the serum of T2DM patients are independent influencing factors for concurrent CAS in T2DM.The combined detection of CXCL12 and Apelin-13 to predict CAS in T2DM patients has certain clinical significance and pro-vides a basis for disease assessment and treatment.
9.Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches to syndrome differentiation and treatment of sleep disorders based on the theory of"One Guiding Principle and Four Specific Methods"
Bei CHEN ; Yulun WU ; Weijie ZHU ; Junjie CAI ; Menghan ZHANG ; Xuejuan LIN ; Yimeng CHEN
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(4):337-342
This paper focuses on extreme environments and systematically analyzes sleep disorders caused by multiple pathogenesis,including circadian rhythm disorder,yin-yang imbalance and qi-blood disorder under weightlessness,emotional depression due to environmental changes,abnormal diet and excretion,and six excesses pathogenic factors,in accordance with the theory of correspondence between nature and human.It proposes harmonizing yin and yang as the core therapeutic principle and guiding framework,with specific methods including calming rebellious qi-blood,regulating qi movement,harmonizing heart and kidney,and dredging and regulating blood vessels,thus forming the"one guiding principle and four specific methods"treatment strategy.Additionally,by integrating the modified application of classic formulas,a diagnostic and therapeutic approach targeting multi-dimensional pathogenesis is established.This study aims to promote the in-depth integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)in extreme environmental medicine through TCM theories and innovative application of prescriptions,provide TCM-characterized solutions for health management of workers in extreme environments,and facilitate the transformation of extreme environmental medicine toward the modern medical model of"prevention-treatment integration".
10.Supramolecular prodrug inspiried by the Rhizoma Coptidis-Fructus Mume herbal pair alleviated inflammatory diseases by inhibiting pyroptosis
Wenhui QIAN ; Bei ZHANG ; Ming GAO ; Yuting WANG ; Jiachen SHEN ; Dongbing LIANG ; Chao WANG ; Wei WEI ; Xing PAN ; Qiuying YAN ; Dongdong SUN ; Dong ZHU ; Haibo CHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):411-424
Sustained inflammatory responses are closely related to various severe diseases,and inhibiting the excessive activation of inflammasomes and pyroptosis has significant implications for clinical treatment.Natural products have garnered considerable concern for the treatment of inflammation.Huanglian-Wumei decoction(HLWMD)is a classic prescription used for treating inflammatory diseases,but the necessity of their combination and the exact underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism have not yet been elucidated.Inspired by the supramolecular self-assembly strategy and natural drug compatibility theory,we successfully obtained berberine(BBR)-chlorogenic acid(CGA)supramolecular(BCS),which is an herbal pair from HLWMD.Using a series of characterization methods,we confirmed the self-assembly mechanism of BCS.BBR and CGA were self-assembled and stacked into amphiphilic spherical supra-molecules in a 2:1 molar ratio,driven by electrostatic interactions,hydrophobic interactions,and π-πstacking;the hydrophilic fragments of CGA were outside,and the hydrophobic fragments of BBR were inside.This stacking pattern significantly improved the anti-inflammatory performance of BCS compared with that of single free molecules.Compared with free molecules,BCS significantly attenuated the release of multiple inflammatory mediators and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced pyroptosis.Its anti-inflammatory mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of intracellular nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB)p65 phosphorylation and the noncanonical pyroptosis signalling pathway mediated by caspase-11.

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