1.Screening of Antidepressant Active Components from Curcumae Rhizoma and Its Mechanism in Regulating Nrf2/GPX4/GSH Pathway
Yonggui SONG ; Delin DUAN ; Meixizi LAI ; Yali LIU ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Ming YANG ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):211-221
ObjectiveTo screen and evaluate the antidepressant compounds of Curcumae Rhizoma, and explore its mechanism of regulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/glutathione(GSH) peroxidase 4(GPX4)/GSH pathway from an antioxidant perspective. MethodsThe antioxidant activities in vitro of 11 characteristic components from Curcumae Rhizoma, including curcumol, curgerenone, curdione, curzerene, curcumenol, curcumenone, dehydrocurdione, isocurcumenol, furanodienone, furanodiene and zederone, were detected using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt(ABTS) radical scavenging assays. The depression in Drosophila melanogaster was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS), and W1118 wild-type male D. melanogaster were randomly divided into blank group, model group, curcumol group, curgerenone group, curdione group, curzerene group, curcumenol group,curcumenone group, dehydrocurdione group, isocurcumenol group, furanodienone group, furanodiene group, zederone group and fluoxetine group(10 μmol·L-1). The treatment groups received a dose of 0.1 g·L-1 of 11 characteristic components from Curcumae Rhizoma, while the blank and model groups were administered equivalent volumes of solvent. The sucrose preference test, climbing test and forced swimming test were used to evaluate the behavioral indicators of depression in D. melanogaster. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) was used to detect the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and dopamine(DA) in the brain of D. melanogaster, and the entropy weight method was used to comprehensively evaluate neurobehavioral and neurotransmitter indicators, resulting in the identification of the antidepressant active components of Curcumae Rhizoma. In addition, a mouse depression model was established by CUMS, and C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, low and high dose groups of curzerene(0.5, 1 mg·kg-1), and fluoxetine group(10 mg·kg-1) to confirm the antidepressant effect of the optimal active ingredient by behavioral analysis. Flow cytometry was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in the hippocampus of mice from each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and GSH. Transmission electron microscope(TEM) was used to observe the effect of curzerene on the ultrastructure of mitochondria in hippocampal tissue. Western blot was performed to determine the level of Nrf2 protein, and Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385) was used to verify the relationship between the antidepressant effect of curzerene and regulation of Nrf2. Real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to detect the effect of curzerene on the mRNA expression level of GPX. ResultsIn vitro antioxidant experiments showed that curzerene and curgerenone exhibited the most significant ability to scavenge free radicals, and comprehensive evaluation results of entropy weight method indicated that curzerene stood out as the most promising active component. Compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a significant decrease in sucrose preference coefficient and the number of times entering the open field center(P<0.01), as well as a significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests(P<0.01), and the ROS content in hippocampus significantly elevated(P<0.01), while the ATP content significantly reduced(P<0.01). In the hippocampal neurons of the model group, mitochondrial cristae were disordered, with vacuolation of the inner membrane and severe damage. Nrf2 protein expression level in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05), and the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GSH contents were also significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the gene expression levels of GPX1, GPX4 and GPX7 were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose group of curzerene showed a significant increase in the sucrose preference coefficient and the number of times entering the open field center(P<0.05), as well as a significant decrease in immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests(P<0.05, P<0.01). The ROS content in the hippocampus of the high-dose group of curzerene was significantly reduced(P<0.01), while the ATP content was significantly increased(P<0.05). The neuronal mitochondrial damage in the hippocampus of the high-dose group of curzerene was alleviated, and the expression level of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased(P<0.05). The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the improvement of curzerene on depressive behaviors in CUMS mice. The GSH content in the hippocampal neurons of the high-dose group of curzerene was significantly increased(P<0.01), while there were no significant differences in SOD and CAT contents. The expression level of GPX4 gene in the hippocampal neurons of the high-dose group of curzerene was significantly increased(P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in other GPX genes. ConclusionCurzerene is the best component with antidepressant activity in Curcumae Rhizoma. It may improve mitochondrial dysfunction to exert its antidepressant effect by regulating Nrf2 and its downstream GPX4/GSH pathway rather than CAT or SOD pathways.
2.The Impairment Attention Capture by Topological Change in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Hui-Lin XU ; Huan-Jun XI ; Tao DUAN ; Jing LI ; Dan-Dan LI ; Kai WANG ; Chun-Yan ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):223-232
ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have indicated that individuals with ASD exhibit early and lifelong attention deficits, which are closely related to the core symptoms of ASD. Basic visual attention processes may provide a critical foundation for their social communication and interaction abilities. Therefore, this study explores the behavior of children with ASD in capturing attention to changes in topological properties. MethodsOur study recruited twenty-seven ASD children diagnosed by professional clinicians according to DSM-5 and twenty-eight typically developing (TD) age-matched controls. In an attention capture task, we recorded the saccadic behaviors of children with ASD and TD in response to topological change (TC) and non-topological change (nTC) stimuli. Saccadic reaction time (SRT), visual search time (VS), and first fixation dwell time (FFDT) were used as indicators of attentional bias. Pearson correlation tests between the clinical assessment scales and attentional bias were conducted. ResultsThis study found that TD children had significantly faster SRT (P<0.05) and VS (P<0.05) for the TC stimuli compared to the nTC stimuli, while the children with ASD did not exhibit significant differences in either measure (P>0.05). Additionally, ASD children demonstrated significantly less attention towards the TC targets (measured by FFDT), in comparison to TD children (P<0.05). Furthermore, ASD children exhibited a significant negative linear correlation between their attentional bias (measured by VS) and their scores on the compulsive subscale (P<0.05). ConclusionThe results suggest that children with ASD have difficulty shifting their attention to objects with topological changes during change detection. This atypical attention may affect the child’s cognitive and behavioral development, thereby impacting their social communication and interaction. In sum, our findings indicate that difficulties in attentional capture by TC may be a key feature of ASD.
3.Ameliorative effects of Lycii Fructus-Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios on retinal damage in mice.
Bing LI ; Sheng GUO ; Yue ZHU ; Xue-Sen WANG ; Dan-Dan WEI ; Hong-Jie KANG ; Wen-Hua ZHANG ; Jin-Ao DUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):732-740
This study aimed to compare the ameliorative effects of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios on retinal damage in mice and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. A retinal injury model was established by intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate(NaIO_3) solution. The mice were divided into the following groups: blank group, model group, positive drug(AREDS 2) group, low-and high-dose groups of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at 1∶1, low-and high-dose groups at 3∶1, and low-and high-dose groups at 1∶3. Administration was carried out 15 days after modeling. The visual acuity of the mice was assessed using the black-and-white box test. The fundus was observed using an optical coherence tomography device, and retinal thickness was measured. HE staining was used to observe the morphology and pathological changes of the retina. The levels of oxidative factors in serum and ocular tissues were measured using assay kits. The levels of inflammatory factors in serum and ocular tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NF-κB proteins in ocular tissues was analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that after administration of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios, the model group showed improved retinal thinning and disordered arrangement of retinal layers, elevated content of SOD and GSH in the serum and ocular tissues, and reduced levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at 1∶1 and 1∶3 showed better improvement effects. The combination significantly upregulated the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and downregulated the expression of NF-κB p65. These results indicate that Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios can improve retinal damage, reduce oxidative stress, and alleviate inflammation in both the body and ocular tissues of mice. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in ocular tissues. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.
Animals
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Mice
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Retina/injuries*
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Male
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Lycium/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Chrysanthemum/chemistry*
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NF-kappa B/genetics*
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Humans
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Retinal Diseases/metabolism*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Flowers/chemistry*
;
Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*
4.The systemic inflammatory response index as a risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with coronary artery disease: evidence from the cohort study of NHANES 1999-2018.
Dao-Shen LIU ; Dan LIU ; Hai-Xu SONG ; Jing LI ; Miao-Han QIU ; Chao-Qun MA ; Xue-Fei MU ; Shang-Xun ZHOU ; Yi-Xuan DUAN ; Yu-Ying LI ; Yi LI ; Ya-Ling HAN
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(7):668-677
BACKGROUND:
The association of systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) with prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients has never been investigated in a large sample with long-term follow-up. This study aimed to explore the association of SIRI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a nationally representative sample of CAD patients from United States.
METHODS:
A total of 3386 participants with CAD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018 were included in this study. Cox proportional hazards model, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were performed to investigate the association of SIRI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Piece-wise linear regression and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
RESULTS:
During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 1454 all-cause mortality occurred. After adjusting for confounding factors, higher lnSIRI was significantly associated with higher risk of all-cause (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.23) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.30) but not cancer mortality (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.99-1.38). The associations of SIRI with all-cause and CVD mortality were detected as J-shaped with threshold values of 1.05935 and 1.122946 for SIRI, respectively. ROC curves showed that lnSIRI had robust predictive effect both in short and long terms.
CONCLUSIONS
SIRI was independently associated with all-cause and CVD mortality, and the dose-response relationship was J-shaped. SIRI might serve as a valid predictor for all-cause and CVD mortality both in the short and long terms.
5.Cation Channel TMEM63A Autonomously Facilitates Oligodendrocyte Differentiation at an Early Stage.
Yue-Ying WANG ; Dan WU ; Yongkun ZHAN ; Fei LI ; Yan-Yu ZANG ; Xiao-Yu TENG ; Linlin ZHANG ; Gui-Fang DUAN ; He WANG ; Rong XU ; Guiquan CHEN ; Yun XU ; Jian-Jun YANG ; Yongguo YU ; Yun Stone SHI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(4):615-632
Accurate timing of myelination is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Here, we identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in TMEM63A (c.1894G>A; p. Ala632Thr) in a 7-year-old boy exhibiting hypomyelination. A Ca2+ influx assay suggested that this is a loss-of-function mutation. To explore how TMEM63A deficiency causes hypomyelination, we generated Tmem63a knockout mice. Genetic deletion of TMEM63A resulted in hypomyelination at postnatal day 14 (P14) arising from impaired differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Notably, the myelin dysplasia was transient, returning to normal levels by P28. Primary cultures of Tmem63a-/- OPCs presented delayed differentiation. Lentivirus-based expression of TMEM63A but not TMEM63A_A632T rescued the differentiation of Tmem63a-/- OPCs in vitro and myelination in Tmem63a-/- mice. These data thus support the conclusion that the mutation in TMEM63A is the pathogenesis of the hypomyelination in the patient. Our study further demonstrated that TMEM63A-mediated Ca2+ influx plays critical roles in the early development of myelin and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Animals
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Cell Differentiation/physiology*
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Oligodendroglia/metabolism*
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice
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Male
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Myelin Sheath/metabolism*
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Humans
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Child
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Cells, Cultured
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Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*
6.Progress on the anesthetics affecting mitochondrial quality in tissue cells
Xuxin TAN ; Ruixue LIU ; Ling DAN ; He HUANG ; Chenyang DUAN
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(10):1105-1109
In recent years,researchers have shown widespread attention in the impact of commonly used clinical anesthetics on overall physiological health by influencing mitochondrial quality.These widely used anesthetics can alter mitochondrial characteristics in several ways,such as modifying mitochondrial morphology and dynamics,affecting mitochondrial function and metabolism,and altering the expression of mitochondrial proteins.These changes have a direct or indirect effect on clinical outcomes during the peri-operative period.Either beneficial or detrimental consequences are decided by multiple factors,such as the type and dosage of anesthetic used,the timing of administration,and the patient's condition.This review comprehensively presents the effects of different types of anesthetic drugs,including intravenous anesthetics,inhalational anesthetics,analgesic,and local anesthetics,on the mitochondria quality of tissue cells and their potential mechanisms,which can facilitate selecting safer anesthesia protocols,minimizing postoperative complications,optimizing patients'postoperative recovery,developing new therapeutic strategies,and opti-mizing perioperative management.
7.Exploration of internal quality assurance system construction in Chinese-foreign joint education program of clinical medicine
Yi ZHANG ; Runyu JIANG ; Yutong CHANG ; Mingjing SHANG ; Changzhu DUAN ; Shixiong DENG ; Dan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(6):737-741
To effectively introduce and utilize global advanced educational resources, the implementation of Chinese-foreign joint education program in medical universities and the establishment of an internal quality assurance system with Chinese characteristics and substantially equivalent to international standards of medical education is crucial for improving the quality of Chinese medical talent cultivation and achieving high-quality development of education opening up to the outside world in the new era. Using the Chinese-Foreign Joint Education Program jointly run by Chongqing Medical University and University of Leicester as an example, this paper proposes a plan for the development of an internal quality assurance system with three core indicators of management mechanism, team building, and student services. This plan provides experience and a reference for domestic universities to carry out cross-border medical education and improve the quality and efficiency of Chinese-foreign joint education programs.
8.Application of limb motor rehabilitation program based on the patient health engagement model in patients with hemorrhagic stroke
Shufang SHI ; Huishu REN ; Hongyan DUAN ; Dan WU ; Yanjun ZHANG ; Mingxia GUO ; Wanling LI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(32):2481-2488
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of limb motor rehabilitation program based on patient health engagement (PHE) model in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, and to provide reference for the limb motor rehabilitation management of hemorrhagic stroke patients.Methods:Through literature review and Delphi expert correspondence, a limb motor rehabilitation program for hemorrhagic stroke patients based on the PHE model was constructed. A non-contemporaneous controlled study was conducted, 45 hemorrhagic stroke patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurosurgery of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from March to August 2022 were selected by convenience sampling method as the control group, and routine exercise rehabilitation measure was given, 45 hemorrhagic stroke patients from September 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the intervention group, a limb motor rehabilitation program based on PHE model was implemented on the basis of control group. The functional exercise compliance, limb motor function, daily activity ability, emotional and social dysfunction of patients in the two groups were observed before intervention, 1 and 3 months after intervention respectively.Results:A total of 85 patients with hemorrhagic stroke were included. There were 42 patients in the intervention group, 25 males and 17 females, aged (52.07 ± 9.91) years old, and 43 patients in the control group, 21 males and 22 females, aged (53.93 ± 10.52) years old. There were no significant differences in the functional exercise compliance, limb motor function, daily activity ability, emotional and social dysfunction of patients before intervention between the two groups. At 3 months after intervention, the functional exercise compliance score in the intervention group was (40.83 ± 7.92) points, higher than that in the control group (37.14 ± 6.44) points, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 2.36, P<0.05). At 1 and 3 months after intervention, the scores of limb motor function and daily activity ability in the intervention group were (27.12 ± 6.74), (33.67 ± 6.54) points and (61.31 ± 6.72), (74.40 ± 8.71) points, which were higher than (24.91 ± 6.03), (27.02 ± 6.59) points and (52.33 ± 9.78), (60.12 ± 10.03) points of the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.06-7.01, all P<0.05), the scores of emotional and social dysfunction were (75.52 ± 22.09) and (58.33 ± 18.88) points, which were lower than (86.02 ± 23.04), (78.51 ± 21.67) points of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t = - 2.14, - 4.57, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The limb motor rehabilitation program based on the PHE model could improve the exercise compliance of patients with hemorrhagic stroke, improve the limb motor function and daily activity ability of patients, alleviate negative emotions, and reduce the level of social dysfunction.
9.Analysis of global local consistency changes in first-episode depression with childhood maltreatment based on resting-state magnetic resonance
Di WANG ; Dan LIAO ; Yuancheng LIU ; Rui XU ; Qinghong DUAN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(16):2311-2315
Objective This study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)to investigate the changes of local brain regional homogeneity in patients with depression and childhood maltreatment,and we calculated the relationship between altered ReHo values and the severity of childhood maltreatment.Methods 25 patients with depression and childhood maltreatment,25 patients with depression without childhood maltreatment,and 25 age,gender,and education-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled.All subjects underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and ReHo analysis.One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the group differences,along with multiple comparison correction.Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between region ReHo values with clinical scales.Results Compared with the group of depression without childhood maltreatment,the abnormal brain regions of depression with childhood maltreatment are mainly located in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,cerebellum,parietal gyrus,and precentral gyrus.The ReHo values of depression with childhood maltreatment in the left cerebellum and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are correlated with the severity of childhood maltreatment.Conclusions Depression with childhood mal-treatment is associated with changes in local spontaneous brain activity,which are correlated with the severity of childhood maltreatment.The brain changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cerebellum may explain the neurobiological mechanisms of depression with childhood maltreatment.
10.Clinical Observation on Modified Shehuang Ointment for the Treatment of Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis
Man-Xin HUANG ; De-Jian DUAN ; Hai-Fang GAN ; Dan HUANG ; Jia-Yao NIE
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):110-115
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Shehuang Ointment(mainly composed of Cnidii Fructus,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium)for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis(SD).Methods Seventy-two patients with facial SD were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 36 patients in each group.Both groups of patients were given oral use of Acrivastine Capsules and Vitamin B6 Tablets,and additionally,the observation group was given topical application of modified Shehuang Ointment and the control group was given topical application of 2%Ketoconazole cream.The course of treatment covered 4 weeks.The changes of clinical symptom scores and dermatology life quality index(DLQI)scores in the two groups were observed before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 88.89%(32/36),and that of the control group was 72.22%(26/36).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the clinical symptom scores of erythema,scales,grease,rash area,itchiness and other clinical symptoms of the patients in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the clinical symptom scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the DLQI scores of patients in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the DLQI scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)During the treatment period,no significant adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients,with high safety.Conclusion The conventional western medicine treatment combined with topical application of modified Shehuang Ointment exerts certain effect in the treatment of facial SD,which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients.

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