1.Role and clinical application prospect of epigenetics in lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Junjiao XU ; Sutong LIU ; Qizhen ZHANG ; Yajie GUAN ; Beilei CUI ; Wenjing WU ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1161-1166
Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially among lean individuals. The research on related epigenetic mechanisms has provided new clues and directions for revealing the underlying causes and treatment strategies of NAFLD. This article introduces the role of epigenetics in the development and progression of NAFLD among lean individuals in recent years, analyzes the latest research advances in the epigenetics of NAFLD in this population, and briefly describes the basic concepts of epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation. This article also discusses how epigenetic alterations impact the pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment strategies of NAFLD in lean individuals.
2.Protective Effect of Gegen Qianliantang on Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in Ulcerative Colitis Mice via STAT3/NF-κB Axis Regulating Th1/Treg Differentiation
Beilei DENG ; Anan WANG ; Wenya FENG ; Lixin WANG ; Tiansong ZHANG ; Chengyong MA ; Xiutian GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):12-21
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and mechanism of Gegen Qianliantang (GQT) on intestinal mucosal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) model mice. MethodsA UC model was established in C57BL/6 mice using a 2.5% DSS solution. Mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 per group): blank group, model group, mesalazine sustained-release granule group (0.52 g·kg-1), high-dose GQT group (2.23 g·kg-1), and low-dose GQT group (1.12 g·kg-1). Fecal characteristics and body weight changes were observed before and after treatment. The body weight loss and disease activity index (DAI) of UC mice were calculated to evaluate symptom severity. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Alizarin blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining were used to detect histological changes in colon tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and mucin 2 (MUC2). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-17A, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Flow cytometry was used to detect the activation of helper T lymphocyte subsets (Th1, Th17), regulatory T cells (Treg), and regulatory B cells (Breg) in spleen and colon tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of T-bet, forkhead box protein P3(FoxP3), nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3). ResultsCompared with the model group, both high- and low-dose GQT groups significantly improved the body weight loss and DAI scores (P<0.05), alleviated colonic inflammation, and showed optimal efficacy in the high-dose group. AB-PAS staining showed that compared with the model group, both the high- and low-dose GQT groups significantly increased goblet cell proliferation and mucin secretion, indicating improved mucosal barrier function. GQT upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and MUC2 in colon tissue (P<0.05), suppressed IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α secretion (P<0.05), elevated IL-10 secretion (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on IL-17A. At the same time, high- and low-dose GQT intervention increased the activation of CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cells (P<0.05) and suppressed activation of CD4+ IFN-γ+ Th1 cells (P<0.05). Western blot showed that GQT downregulated T-bet, NF-κB p65, and STAT3 protein expression (P<0.05), upregulated FoxP3 (P<0.05), and also reduced phosphorylation levels of p-NF-κB p65 and p-STAT3 (P<0.05). ConclusionGQT can upregulate the activation of CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cells, reduce the activation of CD4+ IFN-γ+ Th1 cells, inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α, and increase the secretion of IL-10. It enhances the expression of MUC2 and ZO-1 in colon tissue, thereby alleviating inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosa and restoring mucosal barrier integrity. These effects may be related to its regulation of NF-κB p65 and STAT3 signaling pathways, ultimately regulating the activation of transcription factors T-bet and FoxP3.
3.Etiology,pathogenesis and animal model building of premature ovarian insufficiency
Zhihui YANG ; Yang HU ; Zheng ZONG ; Xiangming SUN ; Hui SONG ; Yingxiang CHEN ; Beilei XU ; Wenjun ZHANG ; Luning CHEN ; Wenlan LI
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(3):149-160
Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI),also known as"ovarian insufficiency",has an incidence of 1%~5%.The incidence has been on the rise in recent years,seriously affecting women's physical and mental health and quality of life.At present,the cause and mechanisms of POI are still unclear,and the method and applications of model construction are also confusing.Most models have some shortcomings in pertinence and stability.The limitations greatly limit research into the clinical diagnosis and treatment of POI.This paper summarizes and discusses the etiology and pathogenesis of POI and the construction of POI animal models to provide a comprehensive reference for those studying POI.
4.Developing a Chain Mediation Model of Recurrence Risk Perception and Health Behavior Among Patients With Stroke: A Cross-sectional Study
Yujia JIN ; Zhenxiang ZHANG ; Dominique A. CADILHAC ; Yunjing QIU ; Weihong ZHANG ; Yongxia MEI ; Zhiguang PING ; Lanlan ZHANG ; Beilei LIN
Asian Nursing Research 2024;18(4):384-392
Purpose:
To understand the recurrence risk perception of stroke patients and develop a chain mediation model of recurrence risk perception and health behavior.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study and convenience sampling were used. Stroke survivors were recruited from the neurology departments of three tertiary hospitals. Their recurrence risk perception, behavioral decision-making, social support, self-efficacy, recurrence worry, and health behavior were measured by relevant tools. Data was analyzed through one-way analysis and regression analysis, and the AMOS 21.0 software was used to explore the mediating relationships between variables.
Results:
Of the 419 participants, 74.7% were aware of stroke recurrence risk. However, only 28.2% could accurately estimate their own recurrence risk. Recurrence risk perception was significantly correlated with behavioral decision-making, social support, self-efficacy, and health behavior (r = .19 ∼ .50, p < .05). Social support and recurrence risk perception could affect health behavior indirectly through self-efficacy, behavioral decision-making, and worry. Behavioral decision-making acted as a main mediator between recurrence risk perception and health behavior, while the path coefficient was .47 and .37, respectively. The chain mediation effect between recurrence risk perception and health behavior was established with a total effect value of .19 (p < .01).
Conclusion
Most stroke survivors could be aware of recurrence risk but failed to accurately estimate their individual risk. In the mediation model of recurrence risk perception and health behavior, social support seemed to be an important external factor, while self-efficacy, behavioral decision-making, and worry seemed to act as key internal factors.
5.Current situation of the health behavioral decision making in ischemic stroke patients and its influencing factors analysis
Fupei HE ; Beilei LIN ; Xueting LIU ; Zhenxiang ZHANG ; Jiajia WANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(18):2222-2229
Objective To investigate the current status of health behavioral decision-making in ischemic stroke patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods Totally 250 ischemic stroke patients were selected from 2 hospitals in Zhengzhou and Anyang from February to May 2023.A general information questionnaire,Behavioral Decision-Making Scale for Stroke Patients,Recurrence Risk Perception Scale for Patients with Stroke,and Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire were used to conduct the questionnaire survey.Results The Behavioral Decision-Making Scale for Stroke Patients score of 229 ischemic stroke patients was(117.83±7.15)scores.The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that occupational status,glycemic compliance,primary caregiver,current symptoms,stroke self-efficacy,and recurrence risk perception were the influencing factors of health behavioral decision making in ischemic stroke patients(P<0.05).Conclusion The health behavioral decision making of ischemic stroke patients is at an upper-middle level.Individualized interventions can be carried out for patients with different characteristics to promote the patients'ability to behavior decision making and the formation of preventive behaviors.
6.ZBH2012001,a novel serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor,exerts antidepressant effect via dual mechanism of monoamine enhancement and inflammation suppression
Jingwen ZHANG ; Qiongyin FAN ; Susu ZHANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Ya LUO ; Xinming SHEN ; Luyao LUO ; Beilei DONG ; Jincao LI ; Shuo LI ; Huajin DONG ; Xingzhou LI ; Yupeng HE ; Rui XUE ; Youzhi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(5):321-334
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effect of ZBH2012001,a novel serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor(SNRI),in general and its ability to enhance monoaminergic transmission and suppress neuroinflammation in particular.METHODS① Male ICR mice were divided into vehicle(distilled water),duloxetine(DLX,10 or 20 mg·kg-1)and ZBH2012001(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)groups.One hour following ig administration,the antidepressant effect of ZBH2012001 was evaluated using the tail suspension test(TST)and forced swimming test(FST).② Radioligand binding assay was conducted to evaluate the affinity of ZBH2012001 for human serotonin transporters(hSERTs)and human norepinephrine transporters(hNETs).③ Mice were divided into vehicle(distilled water),DLX(10 or 20 mg·kg-1)and ZBH2012001(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)groups.One hour following drug administration,the 5-hydroxytryptophan(5-HTP)-induced head-twitch test or yohimbine-induced lethality test were performed to evaluate the effect of ZBH2012001 on the function of the 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and norepinephrine(NE)systems.④ Mice were divided into vehicle(distilled water+0.1%acetic acid),reserpine model(distilled water+reserpine 5 mg·kg-1),DLX(DLX 20 mg·kg-1+reserpine 5 mg·kg-1)and ZBH2012001(ZBH2012001 5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1+reserpine 5 mg·kg-1)groups.One hour following drug administration,reserpine was injected intraperitoneally to establish a monoamine-depletion model.The ptosis,akinesia,and hypothermia assays were performed to evaluate the effect of ZBH2012001 on the down-regulation of the reserpine-induced monoamine system.The TST in mice was used to evaluate the effect of ZBH2012001 on reserpine-induced depressive-like behavior while high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection(HPLC-ECD)was used to measure the levels of monoamines and their metabolites in the hippocampal tissue of reserpine-induced monoamine-depletion mice.ELISA was employed to detect the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the hippocampal tissue of reserpine-induced monoamine-depletion mice.Western blotting was used to assess the expressions of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1(Iba-1)and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)in the hippocampal tissue of reserpine-induced monoamine-depletion mice.RESULTS ① Compared with the vehicle group,ZBH2012001(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)significantly reduced the immobility time both in the TST in mice(P<0.01,respectively),and ZBH2012001(20 mg·kg-1)and in the FST in mice(P<0.05).② ZBH2012001 competitively inhibited the binding of[3H]-imipramine to hSERTs and[3H]-nisoxetine to hNETs,with the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)values of 84.95 and 712.90 nmol·L-1,respectively.③Com-pared with the vehicle group,ZBH2012001(10 and 20 mg·kg-1)significantly increased the head twitches induced by 5-HTP in mice(P<0.01,respectively)and increased the mortality rate in mice induced by yohimbine(P<0.05,P<0.01).④ In the reserpine-induced monoamine-depletion model in mice,compared with the vehicle group,mice in the reserpine model group exhibited ptosis,akinesia and hypothermia feature(P<0.01,respectively),significantly prolonged immobility time in the TST(P<0.01),significantly decreased the levels of NE,5-HT and dopamine(DA)(P<0.05,P<0.01),significantly increased the metabolic conversion rate of 5-HT and DA(P<0.01,respectively),significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6(P<0.05,respectively),and significantly increased expressions of Iba-1 and NF-κB(P<0.05,respectively)in the hippocampus.Compared with the model group,ZBH2012001(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)significantly antagonized ptosis and hypothermia behaviors induced by reserpine(P<0.01,respectively),ZBH2012001(10 and 20 mg·kg-1)significantly shortened the immobility time in reserpine-treated mice(P<0.05,P<0.01),ZBH2012001(20 mg·kg-1)significantly increased the levels of NE and 5-HT in the hippocampus of reserpine-treated mice(P<0.05,respectively),decreased the metabolic conversion rate of 5-HT(P<0.05),significantly reduced the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the hippocampus of reserpine-treated mice(P<0.05,respectively),ZBH2012001(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)significantly reduced the expression of Iba-1 protein in the hippocampus of reserpine-treated mice(P<0.01,respec-tively),and ZBH2012001(20 mg·kg-1)significantly reduced the expression of NF-κB protein in the hippocampus of reserpine-treated mice(P<0.05).CONCLUSION ZBH2012001 exerts its antidepres-sant effect through a dual mechanism involving monoamine enhancement and inflammation suppres-sion.
7.Developing a Chain Mediation Model of Recurrence Risk Perception and Health Behavior Among Patients With Stroke: A Cross-sectional Study
Yujia JIN ; Zhenxiang ZHANG ; Dominique A. CADILHAC ; Yunjing QIU ; Weihong ZHANG ; Yongxia MEI ; Zhiguang PING ; Lanlan ZHANG ; Beilei LIN
Asian Nursing Research 2024;18(4):384-392
Purpose:
To understand the recurrence risk perception of stroke patients and develop a chain mediation model of recurrence risk perception and health behavior.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study and convenience sampling were used. Stroke survivors were recruited from the neurology departments of three tertiary hospitals. Their recurrence risk perception, behavioral decision-making, social support, self-efficacy, recurrence worry, and health behavior were measured by relevant tools. Data was analyzed through one-way analysis and regression analysis, and the AMOS 21.0 software was used to explore the mediating relationships between variables.
Results:
Of the 419 participants, 74.7% were aware of stroke recurrence risk. However, only 28.2% could accurately estimate their own recurrence risk. Recurrence risk perception was significantly correlated with behavioral decision-making, social support, self-efficacy, and health behavior (r = .19 ∼ .50, p < .05). Social support and recurrence risk perception could affect health behavior indirectly through self-efficacy, behavioral decision-making, and worry. Behavioral decision-making acted as a main mediator between recurrence risk perception and health behavior, while the path coefficient was .47 and .37, respectively. The chain mediation effect between recurrence risk perception and health behavior was established with a total effect value of .19 (p < .01).
Conclusion
Most stroke survivors could be aware of recurrence risk but failed to accurately estimate their individual risk. In the mediation model of recurrence risk perception and health behavior, social support seemed to be an important external factor, while self-efficacy, behavioral decision-making, and worry seemed to act as key internal factors.
8.Developing a Chain Mediation Model of Recurrence Risk Perception and Health Behavior Among Patients With Stroke: A Cross-sectional Study
Yujia JIN ; Zhenxiang ZHANG ; Dominique A. CADILHAC ; Yunjing QIU ; Weihong ZHANG ; Yongxia MEI ; Zhiguang PING ; Lanlan ZHANG ; Beilei LIN
Asian Nursing Research 2024;18(4):384-392
Purpose:
To understand the recurrence risk perception of stroke patients and develop a chain mediation model of recurrence risk perception and health behavior.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study and convenience sampling were used. Stroke survivors were recruited from the neurology departments of three tertiary hospitals. Their recurrence risk perception, behavioral decision-making, social support, self-efficacy, recurrence worry, and health behavior were measured by relevant tools. Data was analyzed through one-way analysis and regression analysis, and the AMOS 21.0 software was used to explore the mediating relationships between variables.
Results:
Of the 419 participants, 74.7% were aware of stroke recurrence risk. However, only 28.2% could accurately estimate their own recurrence risk. Recurrence risk perception was significantly correlated with behavioral decision-making, social support, self-efficacy, and health behavior (r = .19 ∼ .50, p < .05). Social support and recurrence risk perception could affect health behavior indirectly through self-efficacy, behavioral decision-making, and worry. Behavioral decision-making acted as a main mediator between recurrence risk perception and health behavior, while the path coefficient was .47 and .37, respectively. The chain mediation effect between recurrence risk perception and health behavior was established with a total effect value of .19 (p < .01).
Conclusion
Most stroke survivors could be aware of recurrence risk but failed to accurately estimate their individual risk. In the mediation model of recurrence risk perception and health behavior, social support seemed to be an important external factor, while self-efficacy, behavioral decision-making, and worry seemed to act as key internal factors.
9.Medication experiences of patients with chronic multimorbidities:a qualitative Meta-synthesis
Yuxin NIU ; Yongpan GUO ; Chunhui ZHANG ; Wenwen DONG ; Fangyu SONG ; Beilei LIN ; Zhenxiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2023;58(22):2777-2784
Objective To systematically evaluate the medication experience of patients with chronic multimorbidities and to provide a reference for developing precise intervention programs to improve the medication experience of patients with chronic multimorbidities.Methods PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Embase,CINAHL,PsycINFO,CNKI,Wanfang database,VIP database,and Chinese biomedical literature database were searched from the year of database establishment to October 2022,and qualitative studies on medication experiences of patients with chronic multimorbidities were retrieved.The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative research(2016)in Australia was used to evaluate quality of the studies.A meta-synthesis method was used to integrate the results.Results A total of 11 articles were included,and 56 research results were extracted and integrated into 12 new categories,which were summarized into 4 integrated results:poor sensory experience of drugs,negative emotional and related experiences,reflective and behavioral experiences,and multi-dimensional debugging to improve medication experience.Conclusion The medication experience of patients with chronic multimorbidities should receive extensive attention from society and medical workers,and future research should be conducted to improve the level of patients'medication experience in 5 dimensions,including sensory experience,emotional experience,reflective experience,behavioral experience and associative experience,so as to provide a basis for further improving the medication experience of patients with chronic multimorbidities in China.
10.Effect Mechanism of Modified Baitouwengtang Treating Colorectal Cancer by Regulating CSF1R/STING/TBK1 Signaling to Polarize Phenotype of Tumor-associated Macrophages (TAMs)
Chengyong MA ; Baoyun ZHANG ; Beilei DENG ; Liqiu YAO ; An'an WANG ; Yao LI ; Lixin WANG ; Tianshong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(17):96-108
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of modified Baitouwengtang (MBTWD) on tumor growth and the number of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor tissue of MC38 cell tumor-bearing mice with colorectal cancer and explores whether MBTWD mediates the remodeling of TAM phenotype to play an immunologically antitumor effect. MethodFirstly, The C57BL/6 mouse tumor model grafted subcutaneously was established, and then model mice were classified into a model group, positive control group(3 mg·kg-1), and MBTWD groups with high and low dosages(23.43、46.86 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. In addition, 10 healthy mice were set as the blank group, and the changes in body weight, tumor volume, and survival status of mice in each group were observed. Tumor tissue, spleen, and peripheral blood were collected to calculate the tumor volume change, tumor inhibition rate, and spleen mass. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of tumor tissue, and an immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression levels of CD4, CD8, and CD206 in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice. The secretion levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)-6, and chemokine (C-C Motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in peripheral serum were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Secondly, a co-culture model induced by IL-4 in vitro of MC38 cells and murine monocytic macrophage RAW264.7 cells was established. Cell proliferation and activity assay (CCK-8) was used to detect the inhibitory effect of MBTWD containing serum on cell proliferation. A transwell experiment was used to detect the effect of IL-4-induced M2 macrophages on the invasion of MC38 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD86 on the membrane of M2 macrophages induced by IL-4 with MBTWD containing serum. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the effect of MBTWD containing serum on the mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage-related polarization factors CD86, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and IL-12, as well as M2 macrophage-related polarization factors CD206, CD163, and IL-10 after co-cultivation. Finally, the protein expression levels of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), stimulator of interferon genes (STING), and TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice were detected by Western blot. ResultIn vivo experimental results show that compared with the model group, the MBTWD can significantly inhibit the tumor growth of tumor-bearing mice. Immunofluorescence experiments show that the MBTWD can increase the number of CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice, reduce the number of CD206+ TAMs infiltration, and down-regulate the secretion levels of cytokines IL-6, TGF-β, and CCL2 in peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice. The results of in vitro experiments show that the MBTWD containing serum has no obvious inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, but the cell supernatant after co-cultivation with RAW264.7 cells can inhibit the proliferation activity of MC38 cells, and the invasion ability of MC38 cells is enhanced by IL-4-induced M2 macrophages. However, this effect can be inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the MBTWD containing serum. At the same time, the results of Real-time PCR show that the MBTWD containing serum can up-regulate the mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage-related polarization factors CD86, iNOS, and IL-12 and down-regulate those of M2 macrophage-related polarization factors CD206, CD163, and IL-10. Flow cytometry results also confirm that the MBTWD containing serum can increase the number of repolarized CD86+ M1 macrophages, indicating that MBTWD can induce M2 macrophages to repolarized M1 macrophages to play an anti-tumor growth role. Finally, Western blot results show that MBTWD can down-regulate the expression of CSF1R protein and up-regulate that of STING and TBK1 proteins in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice. ConclusionMBTWD can down-regulate the infiltration number of CD206+ TAMs and increase the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, thereby playing an immunologically antitumor effect on the growth inhibition of colorectal cancer, which may be related to regulating CSF1R signaling and then activating STING/TBK1 signaling pathway to induce phenotypic remodeling of TAMs.

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