1.Resveratrol activates extracellular-regulated protein kinase 5 signaling protein to promote proliferation of mouse MC3T3-E1 cells
Yongkang NIU ; Zhiwei FENG ; Yaobin WANG ; Zhongcheng LIU ; Dejian XIANG ; Xiaoyuan LIANG ; Zhi YI ; Hongwei ZHAN ; Bin GENG ; Yayi XIA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):908-916
BACKGROUND:The extracellular-regulated protein kinase 5(ERK5)signaling protein is essential for the survival of organisms,and resveratrol can promote osteoblast proliferation through various pathways.However,whether resveratrol can regulate osteoblast function through the ERK5 signaling protein needs further verification. OBJECTIVE:To explore the regulatory effect of ERK5 on the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and related secreted proteins,and to further verify whether resveratrol can complete the above process by activating ERK5. METHODS:Mouse MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts were treated with complete culture medium,XMD8-92(an ERK5 inhibitor),epidermal growth factor(an ERK5 activator),resveratrol alone,XMD8-92+EGF,and resveratrol+XMD8-92,respectively.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of ERK5 and p-ERK5 proteins,proliferation-related proteins Cyclin D1,CDK4 and PCNA,and osteoblast-secreted proteins osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in MC3T3-E1 cells of each group.The fluorescence intensity of ERK5,osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in each group was detected by cell immunofluorescence staining,and cell proliferation was detected by EdU staining,respectively.The appropriate concentration and time of resveratrol intervention in MC3T3-E1 cells were determined by cell morphology observation and cell counting kit-8 assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The activation of ERK5 signaling protein could effectively promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells,up-regulate the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand ratio.The appropriate concentration and time for resveratrol intervention in MC3T3-E1 cells was 5 μmol/L and 24 hours,respectively.Resveratrol could activate ERK5 signaling protein,thereby promoting osteoblast proliferation and up-regulating the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio.All these results indicate that resveratrol can promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and up-regulate the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio by activating the ERK5 signaling protein.
2.Diagnosis and malignant analysis of mass versus pneumonia type of primary pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma
Yihui FENG ; Xiaolei ZHU ; Shaohan FANG ; Xiaowen ZHANG ; Ning LI ; Guojun GENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):360-365
Objective To investigate the relationship between primary pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma (PPMA) mass type and pneumonia type and their difference in malignant degree, and to analyze the role of clinical manifestations and CT features in the diagnosis of this disease. Methods The clinical data of PPMA patients admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from May 2011 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to CT features, they were divided into a mass type group and a pneumonia type group. The clinical manifestations, CT features and the degree of malignancy between the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results A total of 57 PPMA patients were enrolled. There were 17 males and 40 females, with an average age of (53.82±10.65) years, and 28 (49%) patients had reversed hato-like sign. There were 42 patients in the mass type group and 15 patients in the pneumonia type group. PPMA often occurs in both lower lungs, with clinical manifestations mainly of coughing and expectorating white mucoid sputum. There were statistical differences between the two groups in the maximum diameter of tumor (P<0.001), boundary condition (P<0.001) and pleural indentation sign (P=0.019). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in Ki-67 index (P>0.05). Conclusion There is no statistical difference in the degree of malignancy between the two types of PPMA. Considering their clinical manifestations and differences in imaging features, it is supported that the pneumonia type is just a progression of the mass type. CT can present various manifestations, among which the reversed hato-like sign is expected to become an important imaging feature. Combined with a high proportion of solid components, pleural indentation sign, and vacuole sign, reversed hato-like sign can play a significant role in the diagnosis of PPMA.
3.Preparation of HA-modified emodin-contained multi-walled carbon nanotubes drug delivery system and its inhi-bitory effect on breast cancer cells
Yuduo LI ; Juan DU ; Yunlong LIU ; Feng GENG ; Xiaobing CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1463-1469
OBJECTIVE To prepare hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified emodin (EMD)-contained multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) drug delivery system (HA-MWCNTs-EMD) and explore its in vitro inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells. METHODS EMD was loaded onto MWCNTs to prepare a drug delivery system MWCNTs-EMD; subsequently, the system was further modified with HA to obtain the drug delivery system HA-MWCNTs-EMD. The two drug delivery systems mentioned above were characterized. With free EMD as the reference, the drug release in vitro of the above two drug delivery systems was investigated; the uptake of EMD by two breast cancer cells (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 cells) was detected. The impacts of the above two drug delivery systems on the expression of surface glycoprotein differentiation group 44 (CD44), activity, apoptosis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release of two breast cancer cells were detected. RESULTS The encapsulation efficiencies of MWCNTs-EMD and HA-MWCNTs-EMD were both (63.52±2.74)%, with drug loading rates of (25.01±1.83)% and (12.13± 1.96)%, particle sizes of (865.95±2.16) and (351.86±1.68) nm, polydispersity indexes of 0.54±0.02 and 0.23±0.01, and Zeta potentials of (23.87±0.14) and (-42.79±0.39) mV, respectively. The 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24-hour cumulative release rates of EMD in MWCNTs-EMD and HA-MWCNTs-EMD were significantly lower than those in free EMD, while the cumulative release rate of HA-MWCNTs-EMD was significantly higher than that of MWCNTs-EMD (P<0.05); the EMD uptakes of MWCNTs-EMD and HA-MWCNTs-EMD by the two types of breast cancer cells were significantly higher than their uptake of free EMD (P<0.05). Compared with the free EMD group, the MWCNTs-EMD and MWCNTs-EMD groups showed significantly higher apoptosis rate and LDH release, significantly lower surface CD44 expression (except for the MWCNTs-EMD group) and cell viability in both cell types, and the effect of HA-MWCNTs-EMD was more pronounced (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS A novel drug delivery system HA-MWCNTs- EMD loaded with EMD is developed successfully; the drug delivery system has a certain slow-release effect, which can significantly reduce the activity of breast cancer cells, promote their apoptosis and increase the release of LDH, and the above anti- breast cancer effect is significantly stronger than that of free EMD and MWCNTs-EMD.
4.2024 annual report of interventional treatment for congenital heart disease
Changdong ZHANG ; Yucheng ZHONG ; Geng LI ; Jun TIAN ; Gejun ZHANG ; Nianguo DONG ; Yuan FENG ; Daxin ZHOU ; Yongjian WU ; Lianglong CHEN ; Xiaoke SHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(07):909-918
In recent years, with the continuous development and increasing maturity of interventional techniques, interventional treatment for congenital heart disease (CHD) has been progressively disseminated to county- and city-level hospitals in China. Concurrently, the standardized management of adult CHD (particularly patent foramen ovale) and the lifelong management of complex CHD are gaining increasing clinical attention, while the emergence of new techniques and products continuously advances the discipline. This article aims to review the new progress made in the field of interventional treatment for congenital heart disease in China during 2024. It specifically reviews and analyzes the following key aspects: (1) annual statistics on interventional closure procedures for CHD; (2) recent insights into patent foramen ovale closure; (3) advances in transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement; (4) interventional treatment and lifelong management strategies for complex CHD; (5) new interventional techniques for acquired heart disease; and (6) the application of artificial intelligence in CHD management. Through the synthesis and discussion of these topics, this article seeks to provide a detailed analysis of the current landscape of interventional treatment for CHD in China and project its future development trends.
5.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
6.Qingda Granule Attenuates Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Damage via Regulating Renin-Angiotensin System Pathway.
Lin-Zi LONG ; Ling TAN ; Feng-Qin XU ; Wen-Wen YANG ; Hong-Zheng LI ; Jian-Gang LIU ; Ke WANG ; Zhi-Ru ZHAO ; Yue-Qi WANG ; Chao-Ju WANG ; Yi-Chao WEN ; Ming-Yan HUANG ; Hua QU ; Chang-Geng FU ; Ke-Ji CHEN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):402-411
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.
METHODS:
Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
RESULTS:
The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Hypertension/pathology*
;
Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects*
;
Rats, Inbred SHR
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Rats, Inbred WKY
;
Blood Pressure/drug effects*
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
Rats
;
Inflammation/pathology*
7.Lumbar Spondylolysis in Chinese Adults: Prevalence and Musculoskeletal Conditions.
Dong YAN ; Yan Dong LIU ; Ling WANG ; Kai LI ; Wen Shuang ZHANG ; Yi YUAN ; Jian GENG ; Kang Kang MA ; Feng Yun ZHOU ; Zi Tong CHENG ; Xiao Guang CHENG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):598-606
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis (LS) and the proportion of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS) in China, and to evaluate the musculoskeletal status of patients with LS and SS.
METHODS:
Spine Computed Tomography (CT) images were collected from community populations aged 40 and above in a nationwide multi-center project. LS was diagnosed, and SS was graded by an experienced radiologist. Bone mineral density (BMD) and paraspinal muscle parameters were quantified based on CT images.
RESULTS:
One hundred and seventeen patients of a total of 3,317 individuals were diagnosed with LS, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 3.53%. 63 of the 1,214 males (5.18%) and 54 of the 2,103 females (2.57%) were diagnosed with LS. SS occurred in 64/121 vertebrae (52.89%). BMD was not associated with LS ( P = 0.341). The L5 extensor paraspinal muscle density was higher in the LS group than in the non-LS group. In the LS group, patients with SS had a smaller L5 paraspinal extensor muscle cross-sectional area than those without SS ( P = 0.003).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of LS in Chinese adults was 3.53%, with prevalence rates of 5.18% in males and 2.57% in females. Patients with LS have higher muscle density, whereas those with SS have smaller muscle cross-sectional areas at the L5 level.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Prevalence
;
Adult
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging*
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Spondylolysis/diagnostic imaging*
;
Aged
;
Bone Density
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Spondylolisthesis/epidemiology*
;
East Asian People
8.Effect of Afzelin on 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis in Mice.
Zhi-Jun GENG ; Li-Xia YIN ; Min-Zhu NIU ; Jing-Jing YANG ; Xiao-Feng ZHANG ; Jing LI
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(2):207-218
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of afzelin(AFZ)in treating Crohn's disease-like colitis.Methods A mouse model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis was established to assess the effect of AFZ on experimental colitis in vivo.A Caco-2 cell model of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α-induced inflammation was established to evaluate the effects of AFZ on the intestinal barrier function,intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis,and mitochondrial function in vitro.The animal and cell experiments were performed to validate the regulatory role of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/silent information regulater 1(SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator(PGC)-1α pathway in the treatment of colitis with AFZ.Results AFZ reduced the disease activity index(P=0.003),weight loss(P<0.001),colon shortening(P<0.001),inflammation score(P=0.002),pro-inflammatory cytokine release(interleukin-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P=0.010),and intestinal barrier permeability(fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4:P<0.001;intestinal-type fatty acid-binding protein:P=0.013).Meanwhile,AFZ increased the colonic transepithelial electric resistance(P=0.001),reduced bacterial translocation(P<0.001),and promoted the localization and up-regulated the expression of tight junction proteins [zonula occluden-1(P=0.005) and Claudin-1(P=0.024)].AFZ exerted a protective effect on the Caco-2 cells exposed to TNF-α in terms of intestinal epithelial cell permeability(P=0.017),transepithelial electric resistance(P=0.014),and tight junction protein[zonula occluden-1(P=0.014) and Claudin-1(P=0.006)] localization and expression.Furthermore,the cell and animal experiments confirmed that AFZ reduced the percentage of apoptosis(P<0.001,P=0.013)and the expression of cleaved-caspase 3(P=0.028,P=0.004)and Bax(P=0.004,P=0.020),and upregulated the Bcl2(P=0.020,P=0.006)level in intestinal epithelial cells.Additionally,AFZ increased the number of mitochondria,mitochondrial membrane potential,and copy number of mitochondrial DNA(P=0.007)in intestinal epithelial cells,while enhancing the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ(P=0.005)and complex Ⅳ(P=0.001).The activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway was involved in the protective effects of AFZ on mitochondrial function and apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells.Conclusion AFZ alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway,thereby ameliorating intestinal barrier dysfunction and experimental colitis.
Animals
;
Colitis/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Caco-2 Cells
;
Mice
;
Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
9.The association of obesity and inflammatory cytokines in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder
Mingru Hao ; Lewei Liu ; Lei Xia ; Feng Geng ; Daming ; Mo ; Huanzhong Liu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(4):670-674
Objective:
To explore the characteristic of obesity in adolescents with major depressive disorder and its relationship with inflammatory cytokines.
Methods :
One hundred and forty adolescents with major depressive disorder were enrolled. According to the classification standard of body mass index(BMI) for adolescents in China, the patients were classified into underweight group, normal group, overweight group and obese group. The center for epidemiologic studies depression scale(CES-D) was used to evaluate symptoms of depression in patients, and ultrasensitive multiplex electrochemiluminescence detection technology was used to measure the levels of plasma inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-6,IL-17A,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-WallisHtest and chi-square test were used for comparison between groups. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of obesity in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder.
Results :
Among the 140 adolescent patients with major depressive disorder, wasting were 9.3%(13/140), overweight were 17.9%(25/140) and obesity were 6.4%(9/140) respectively. There were statistically significant differences in gender(χ2=8.301,P<0.05) and inflammatory cytokines IL-6(H=16.217,P<0.01), IL-8(H=10.926,P<0.05) and TNF-α(H=7.879,P<0.05) among the four groups. Analysis of covariance showed that the difference in levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6(F=4.486,P<0.01) remained statistically significant after controlling for age, gender and antidepressant use. The results of multiple comparisons showed that compared with the wasting group, the plasma IL-6(Z=-3.843,PBonferroni calibrate<0.01) were higher in the obese group; compared with the normal group, the obesity rate of males was higher than that of females(χ2=8.812,PBonferroni calibrate<0.01), and the level of IL-6 in the obese group(Z=-3.023,PBonferroni calibrate<0.05) was higher. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that plasma IL-6(OR=2.500,P<0.01) and gender(OR=11.292,P<0.01) were independent influencing factors for obesity in patients with adolescent depressive disorders.
Conclusion
There are gender differences in obesity rates in adolescents with depressive disorders, and obesity is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines.
10.Research on the prediction model of agitated symptoms in adolescents with depressive disorders
Xin Zhao ; Lewei Liu ; Mingru Hao ; Haojie Fan ; Lei Xia ; Feng Geng ; Daming Mo ; Huanzhong Liu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(4):741-747, 754
Objective :
To explore the predictive value of depression severity plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) levels for agitated symptoms in patients with adolescent depressive disorder(MDD).
Methods :
Ninety-one patients with adolescent depressive disorder were enrolled, and the degree of agitation was assessed according to the modified outward aggressive behavior scale(MOAS); 24-item hamilton depression scale(HAMD24) was used to determine the severity of depression; chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA) was used to determine the plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) level; and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay(ECL) was used to determine the plasma BDNF. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis of the data, Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between HAMD24and plasma TSH and BDNF levels and the degree of agitation, multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the degree of agitation in adolescents with MDD, and binary Logistic regression analysis and subjects′ work characteristic curves(ROC) were used to establish predictive models.
Results:
The degree of agitation in adolescent MDD patients was positively correlated with HAMD24total score(P<0.001); both HAMD24total score and plasma BDNF level were identified as risk factors for agitation severity(bothP<0.05); both HAMD24total score and plasma BDNF levels were risk factors for the degree of agitation(allP<0.05); HAMD24total score, plasma TSH, BDNF levels were all risk factors for concomitant agitation symptoms in adolescent MDD patients; ROC curve analysis showed that the three combined prediction models(AUC=0.889,P<0.001) had a higher predictive value than the single prediction model(P<0.01).
Conclusion
Concomitant agitation symptoms in adolescents with MDD are strongly associated with HAMD24total score and plasma TSH and BDNF levels, and the three combined models have good predictive power.


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