1.Inner Ear Delivery of Polyamino Acid Nanohydrogels Loaded with Dexamethasone
Pingping AI ; Lidong ZHAO ; Zhaohui TANG ; Chaoliang HE ; Xuesi CHEN ; Shiming YANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):370-378
To develop a novel polyamino acid-based nanohydrogel drug delivery system for dexamethasone to enhance its delivery efficiency to the inner ear. A fluorescein-labeled polyglutamic acid-based polyamino acid dexamethasone nanohydrogel was synthesized, and its gelation time was measured. The hydrogel was surgically injected into the round window niche of guinea pigs to determine its degradation time in the middle ear cavity in vivo. The safety, pharmacokinetics, and distribution patterns of dexamethasone in the inner ear were evaluated. The hydrogel exhibited a gelation time of 80 seconds in a 37℃ water bath. In vivo, the hydrogel was almost completely degraded within 7 days in the middle ear cavity of guinea pigs. Transient hearing loss was observed one day after administration, but hearing gradually returned to normal over time. No significant cytotoxicity, vestibular stimulation signs, or pathological abnormalities in spiral ganglion cells were observed. Histopathological examination revealed no significant inflammatory reactions. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated sustained drug release and prolonged dexamethasone activity. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the distribution of dexamethasone in both the cochlea and vestibular organs. The polyamino acid nanohydrogel exhibits excellent injectability and biodegradability, representing a safe and effective drug delivery system for the inner ear.
2.Mechanism of Modified Shengjiangsan in Improving Diabetic Kidney Disease by Activating Mitochondrial Autophagy Based on PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Jiaxin LI ; Liya ZHOU ; Yishuo ZHANG ; Ziqiang CHEN ; Yijun HOU ; Jian SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):121-128
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which modified Shengjiangsan (MSJS) improves diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by activating mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were selected. A DKD model was established using a high-sugar, high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: a normal control group, a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose MSJS groups (7.7, 15.4, 30.8 g·kg-1, respectively), and an irbesartan group (0.384 g·kg-1). Each group received either normal saline or the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood glucose, body weight, and kidney weight were recorded. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected using an automatic blood analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine urinary microalbumin (mALB), and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Histopathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in renal tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence co-localization was employed to detect the co-expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅳ (COX Ⅳ). ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in renal index, blood glucose, and 24-hour urinary microalbumin (24 h mALB) (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum SCr and BUN were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were markedly upregulated (P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion and increased deposition, podocyte foot process flattening and fusion, a decreased number of autophagosomes accompanied by mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while expression of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence signal intensity and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression were both diminished. Compared with the model group, the MSJS treatment groups and the irbesartan group showed significant reductions in renal index, blood glucose, and 24 h mALB (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum SCr and BUN levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathological damage was alleviated, including reduced glomerular hypertrophy, decreased mesangial deposition, and attenuated podocyte foot process fusion. The number of autophagosomes increased, and mitochondrial swelling was improved. The expression levels of LC3B, PINK1, and Parkin in renal tissues were significantly upregulated, whereas p62 expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in MSJS groups. Immunofluorescence signal intensity was enhanced, and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression was increased. ConclusionMSJS alleviates the inflammatory response in DKD rats and exerts renal protective effects by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and activating mitochondrial autophagy.
3.Mechanism of Modified Shengjiangsan in Improving Diabetic Kidney Disease by Activating Mitochondrial Autophagy Based on PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Jiaxin LI ; Liya ZHOU ; Yishuo ZHANG ; Ziqiang CHEN ; Yijun HOU ; Jian SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):121-128
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which modified Shengjiangsan (MSJS) improves diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by activating mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were selected. A DKD model was established using a high-sugar, high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: a normal control group, a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose MSJS groups (7.7, 15.4, 30.8 g·kg-1, respectively), and an irbesartan group (0.384 g·kg-1). Each group received either normal saline or the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood glucose, body weight, and kidney weight were recorded. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected using an automatic blood analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine urinary microalbumin (mALB), and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Histopathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in renal tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence co-localization was employed to detect the co-expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅳ (COX Ⅳ). ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in renal index, blood glucose, and 24-hour urinary microalbumin (24 h mALB) (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum SCr and BUN were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were markedly upregulated (P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion and increased deposition, podocyte foot process flattening and fusion, a decreased number of autophagosomes accompanied by mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while expression of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence signal intensity and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression were both diminished. Compared with the model group, the MSJS treatment groups and the irbesartan group showed significant reductions in renal index, blood glucose, and 24 h mALB (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum SCr and BUN levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathological damage was alleviated, including reduced glomerular hypertrophy, decreased mesangial deposition, and attenuated podocyte foot process fusion. The number of autophagosomes increased, and mitochondrial swelling was improved. The expression levels of LC3B, PINK1, and Parkin in renal tissues were significantly upregulated, whereas p62 expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in MSJS groups. Immunofluorescence signal intensity was enhanced, and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression was increased. ConclusionMSJS alleviates the inflammatory response in DKD rats and exerts renal protective effects by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and activating mitochondrial autophagy.
4.Oral Microbiota and Childhood Growth and Development
Rongrong YE ; Hanze DU ; Shi CHEN ; Daowei LI ; Hui PAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):545-551
Childhood is a critical period for growth and development, and the oral microbiota, as the second most diverse microbial community in the human body, plays a pivotal role in maintaining children's health. Recent studies have demonstrated that dysbiosis of the oral microbiota not only contributes to oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis but may also influence the development of children's skeletal, nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, and immune systems through mechanisms involving inflammatory responses, metabolic regulation, and cross-organ communication networks. This review systematically examines the role of the oral microbiota in childhood growth and development and, guided by the core principles of the "active health" model, proposes multiple intervention strategies—including probiotics, xylitol, and mouthwashes—to optimize children's health through early oral microbiota modulation.
5.Effect and mechanism of gallic acid on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
Zhiru WANG ; Wenjing ZHAO ; Xi CHEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):493-498
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of gallic acid (GA) on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its mechanism. MethodsHepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of GA (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 hours, and CCK8 assay was used to measure cell viability and calculate IC50. The experiment was divided into control group (HepG2 cells), 5 μg/mL GA group, 10 μg/mL GA group, and 20 μg/mL GA group. Plate colony formation assay was used to evaluate the effect of GA on cell proliferation; wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay were used to observe the effect of GA on cell migration and invasion; flow cytometry was used to observe the effect of GA on cell apoptosis; Western blot was used to measure the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and apoptosis-related proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe mean IC50 value of GA on HepG2 cells was 38.02±2.58 μg/mL at 24 hours and 18.36±1.54 μg/mL at 48 hours. The number of cell colonies was 239.00±29.45 in the control group, 210.00±19.00 in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 144.33±16.03 in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 57.00±9.55 in the 20 μg/mL GA group, suggesting that compared with the control group, each GA group had a significant reduction in cell colony formation ability (all P<0.05). After 24 hours of treatment, the cell migration rate was 42.62%± 7.82% in the control group, 35.34%±6.42% in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 21.85%±4.42% in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 12.57%± 3.54% in the 20 μg/mL GA group, respectively, in these four groups, and the number of transmembrane cells in these four groups was 230.30±15.30, 182.12±12.60, 137.20±7.50, and 124.40±6.80, respectively, suggesting that compared with the control group, each GA group had significant reductions in migration rate and the number of transmembrane cells (all P<0.05). After 48 hours of treatment, the cell apoptotic rate was 0.67%±0.08% in the control group, 13.27%±1.07% in the 5 μg/mL GA group, 20.94%± 2.45% in the 10 μg/mL GA group, and 40.74%±2.63% in the 20 μg/mL GA group, and compared with the control group, each GA group had a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, each GA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (all P<0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (all P<0.05). ConclusionGA can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells and promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells, possibly by regulating MMP-2, MMP-9, and the apoptosis-related proteins Bax/Bcl-2.
6.A new carrier of targeted drugs for bladder cancer: metal nanoparticles
Xiao YU ; Shenghan XU ; Bo CHEN ; Qiang WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(2):174-179
The current clinical treatment of bladder cancer (BCa) is mainly surgical treatment,supplemented by postoperative chemotherapy and immunotherapy.However,due to the lack of specificity,targeting and other reasons,the therapeutic effect is not satisfactory.In recent years,it has been found that metal nanoparticles (MNPs) prepared by gold,silver,and so on,as bladder infusion drugs or drug carriers,can not only accurately target BCa cells,but also have high stability and drug release rate,thereby reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy drugs.Based on domestic and foreign studies,this paper reviews the progress of MNPs in the treatment of BCa,including gold,silver,copper and other MNPs,and prospects the trend of bladder perfusion combined with nanomedical drugs.
7.Expert consensus on the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System and the value of orientation of the "personal experience"
Qi WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Jinzhou TIAN ; Shilin CHEN ; Liguo ZHU ; Guangrong SUN ; Daning ZHANG ; Daihan ZHOU ; Guoqiang MEI ; Baofan SHEN ; Qingguo WANG ; Xixing WANG ; Zheng NAN ; Mingxiang HAN ; Yue GAO ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Xiaobo SUN ; Kaiwen HU ; Liqun JIA ; Li FENG ; Chengyu WU ; Xia DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):445-450
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.
8.Research on ethical issues and coping strategies of voice biomarkers in medical applications
Sikai SHAN ; Shuyu HAN ; Wenxia WANG ; Yufan YANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Wenmin ZHANG ; Siye CHEN ; Mo CHEN ; Zhiwen WANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1233-1239
Voice biomarkers, as an emerging smart medical technology, are now being used in applications such as assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, facilitating accurate and personalized medical services for patients. However, it also raises many ethical issues, including informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, legal risks, and other issues. This paper systematically sorted out the ethical issues in the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field, summarized these issues, such as informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, and legal risks, as well as explored the corresponding coping strategies. These countermeasures encompassed utilizing new media platforms to raise public awareness of voice biomarkers, strengthening supervision and management to promote the privacy protection of voice biomarkers, reducing algorithm biases to promote the general benefits of voice biomarkers to the public, establishing multidisciplinary teams to protect the data security of voice biomarkers, and encouraging medical professionals and researchers to participate in policy research, with a view to providing references for promoting and regulating the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field.
9.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation of MAPK Pathway for Treatment of Obesity: A Review
Lei CAO ; Mingjun LIU ; Chunwei WU ; Hailong CHEN ; Ruolin WANG ; Yang BAO ; Ze HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):254-262
With a global rise in morbidity rates, obesity has become a pressing public health issue. With increased adipocyte number and volume as the main characteristics, obesity is also manifested by metabolic disorders to varying degrees. At the same time, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, imposing burdens on society and families. Influenced by lifestyle, environment, behavior, and genetics, obesity is caused by the interaction of many factors, and its pathological process is complex, involving inflammation, autophagy, and intestinal dysbiosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade reaction, a pivotal signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and stress responses. Both Chinese and international studies indicate that the MAPK signaling pathway can effectively regulate obesity through various pathways, including the modulation of adipocyte differentiation and apoptosis, appetite control, and inflammation improvement. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing and treating obesity, leveraging advantages such as multiple targets, diverse components, and minimal adverse effects. Research indicates that the MAPK signaling pathway is a primary focus of TCM regulation in this context, although a systematic review in this field is currently lacking. Therefore, this paper, by reviewing the latest Chinese and international research, provided a concise overview of the basic structure of the MAPK pathway, with a specific emphasis on recent progress in TCM interventions targeting the MAPK pathway for obesity treatment. The results indicate that regulating adipose tissue formation, differentiation, and thermogenesis, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress levels, and improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic disorders seem to be the main ways for TCM to regulate the MAPK pathway to prevent and treat obesity. However, it is necessary to find more research methods and explore potential mechanisms underlying TCM formulations based on the MAPK pathway for obesity prevention and treatment.
10.Lung transplantation after paraquat poisoning in an adolescent: one case report and literature review
Fanjie MENG ; Yan ZHANG ; Hongfei CAI ; Fanyu MENG ; Rui WANG ; Youbin CUI ; Jingyu CHEN ; Yang LI
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(1):112-117
Objective To summarize the effect of the timing of lung transplantation and related treatment measures on clinical prognosis of patients with paraquat poisoning. Methods Clinical data of a patient with paraquat poisoning undergoing bilateral lung transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, diagnosis and treatment of this patient were summarized and analyzed. Results A 17-year-old adolescent was admitted to hospital due to nausea, vomiting, cough and systemic fatigue after oral intake of 20-30 mL of 25% paraquat. After symptomatic support treatment, the oxygen saturation was not improved, and pulmonary fibrosis continued to progress. Therefore, sequential bilateral lung transplantation was performed under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After postoperative rehabilitation and active prevention and treatment for postoperative complications, the patient was discharged at postoperative 50 d. Conclusions The timing of lung transplantation after paraquat poisoning may be selected when the liver and kidney function start to recover. Active and targeted prevention of potential pathogen infection in perioperative period and early rehabilitation training contribute to improving clinical prognosis of lung transplant recipients.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail