1.Tetrahydrocurcumin attenuates high glucose-induced platelet aggregation and activation through down-regulating ROS/p53 signaling pathway
Jinqiu HU ; Xiaoyan BI ; Junyu MA ; Mengyao LI ; Rong LI ; Fuli YA ; Chunmei ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(3):305-312
Objective This study aims to explore the efficacy of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC),the major active metabolite of curcumin,on high glucose(HG)-induced human platelet aggregation and activation as well as to clarify the underlying mechanisms in vitro.Methods Purified platelets prepared from healthy subjects were pre-incubated with various concentrations of THC(0.5 μmol/L,1 μmol/L or 10 μmol/L)or vehicle control(0.05%DMSO)for 40 min at 37℃,followed by the stimulation of normal glucose(NG,5 mmol/L)or HG(25 mmol/L)for additional 90 min.The maximal aggregation rate was determined by an aggregometer.Flow cytometry was used to measure platelet surface expression of CD62P(a typical marker of platelet activation)and generation of total intraplatelet reactive oxygen species(ROS).Meanwhile,the phosphorylation level of platelet p53 was detected by Western blot assay.Results Compared with NG group,HG intervention significantly increased platelet aggrega-tion(P<0.05)and CD62P expression(P<0.001),which were greatly inhibited by different concentrations of THC(P<0.05).Mechanistically,when compared with solvent control,THC significantly decreased the level of total ROS production(P<0.001)and p53 phosphorylation(P<0.05).In addition,HG-induced total intraplatelet ROS generation(P<0.001)and p53 phosphorylation(P<0.05)were greatly attenuated by adding a ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC).The combination of NAC with THC(10 μmol/L)showed no additive inhibitory effects(P>0.05).Moreover,platelet aggregation and activation induced by HG were greatly decreased by NAC and a p53 specific inhibitor PFT-μ(P<0.05).The combination of THC(10 μmol/L)and NAC resulted no additive inhibitory effects on HG-increased platelet aggregation and activation(P>0.05).THC(10 μmol/L)exhibited additive inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation(P<0.05)but no additive inhibitory effects on platelet activation when combined with PFT-μ(P>0.05).Conclusions THC exerts a protective effect on HG-induced platelet aggregation and activation possibly through down-regulating ROS/p53 signaling pathway in human platelets in vitro.The current study may provide potential value for THC to improve thrombosis in diabetes mellitus and the related chronic metabolic diseases.
2.Mechanism of tetrahydrocurcumin in improving kidney injury in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on transcriptomics
Junyu MA ; Chunmei ZHANG ; Yang JIANG ; Mengyao LI ; Xiaoyan BI ; Fuli YA
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(6):493-499
Objective To investigate how dietary supplementation with tetrahydrocurcumin(THC)improves kidney injury in type 2 dia-betic mellitus(T2DM)and its mechanism of action using transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq).Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control,T2DM,and T2DM+THC groups.After a high-fat meal and streptozotocin injection,the body weights and fasting blood glucose levels of each mouse with T2DM were measured.Hematoxylin and eosin staining,Oil red O staining,and RNA-seq were performed to examine kidney pathology,lipid deposition,and differentially expressed genes,respectively,in the mice.Results Mice in T2DM group exhibited significantly higher fasting blood glucose levels(P<0.001),renal tubule degeneration,glomeruli enlargement,disordered epithelial cells,and increased kidney lipid deposition after 12 weeks compared with those of the control group.THC adminis-tration alleviated all these conditions(P<0.001).RNA-seq analysis revealed significant gene expression variations among the control,T2DM,and T2DM+THC groups.THC may protect against T2DM-induced kidney injury and lipid deposition by regulating the cell cycle(apoptosis),P53 signaling pathway,and PPARγ signaling path way,as indicated by Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses.In mice with T2DM,THC intervention may upregulate the expression of Cd36,Lpl,PPARγ,and Plin4 genes in renal tissues,while downregulating Ccnb1,Ccnb2,Cdk1,Bub1,and Cdc25c gene expressions.The proteins encoded by the four upregulated genes interact,as do those encoded by the five downregulated genes.Conclusion THC administration improves fasting blood glucose levels,reduces renal damage,and decreases fat deposition in mice with T2DM.The processes may involve decreasing apoptosis,blocking the P53 signaling pathway,and activating the PPARγ signaling pathway.
3.Association between cancer-related fatigue and PD-1 inhibitors in patients with malignant melanoma and its influencing factors
Wenhua GAO ; Fuli YANG ; Jinzhong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(7):761-764
Objective:To explore the relationship between programmed death-1(PD-1)inhibitors and cancer-related fatigue(CRF)in patients with malignant melanoma,and to identify associated influencing factors.Methods:A total of 100 patients with malignant melanoma treated at Jinan People's Hospital between April 2019 and April 2024 were included as study subjects.The Chinese version of the Piper Fatigue Scale was used to evaluate patients'fatigue levels within three months before and after the initiation of PD-1 inhibitor therapy.Results:There was a significant difference in CRF score before and after PD-1 inhibitor treatment(P<0.001).Univariate analysis showed no significant association between fatigue severity and factors such as gender,smoking history,tumor site,or PD-1 inhibitor type(all P>0.05).However,age,tumor stage,anemia,leukopenia,secondary hypothyroidism,secondary adrenal insufficiency(AI),and secondary adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency(P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001)were significantly associated with CRF.Multivariate regression analysis identified secondary hypothyroidism,secondary AI,anemia,and leukopenia as independent risk factors for severe CRF in patients with malignant melanoma(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Adverse reactions of PD-1 inhibitors,including secondary hypothyroidism,secondary AI,anemia,and leukopenia,are independent risk factors for CRF in patients with malignant melanoma.
4.Mechanism of action of the Notch signaling pathway in mediating immune inflammatory response in liver injury
Faming SHU ; Ying HUANG ; Kan ZHANG ; Fajuan HE ; Fuli LONG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2424-2428
Immune inflammatory response runs through the whole pathological process of liver injury, but its specific regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that the Notch signaling pathway plays an important role in liver injury by regulating macrophage polarization, activating neutrophil recruitment, and modulating the differentiation of regulatory immune cells. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms of the Notch signaling pathway in mediating immune inflammatory response in liver injury, in order to provide new perspectives for clarifying the molecular mechanism of immune inflammatory damage in liver diseases, as well as a new reference for future research directions.
5.Combining radiomics and deep learning to predict overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Yongxin LIU ; Qiusheng WANG ; Huayong JIANG ; Na LU ; Diandian CHEN ; Yanjun YU ; Yanxiang GAO ; Huijuan ZHANG ; Minmin DENG ; Yinglun SUN ; Fuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(11):1462-1468
Objective To develop a combined model integrating radiomics and 3D deep learning features for improving the predictive efficacy of overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients undergoing radiotherapy,thereby providing a foundation for optimizing individualized radiotherapy strategies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 522 NSCLC patients from 3 centers.Radiomics features were extracted from the tumor region of interest on radiotherapy planning CT scans,and a 3D-SE-ResNet was constructed to extract deep learning features.Following feature extraction,features were selected via univariate Cox analysis and Lasso-Cox regression,and a combined model was established by fusing the two feature types through principal component analysis.The discriminative ability of the model was evaluated using the concordance index(C-index)and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),while the risk stratification efficacy was verified by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results The predictive performance of deep learning features was significantly superior to that of radiomics features(C-index:0.73 vs 0.65).The combined model achieved the highest predictive performance in the training set,internal test set,and external test set(C-index:0.74,0.69,0.72 respectively),with higher AUC values for predicting 1-year,2-year,and 3-year OS than either single model.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in survival between the high-and low-risk groups(Log-rank test,P<0.001),and calibration curves indicated good consistency between predicted and actual survival outcomes.Conclusion The combined model integrating radiomics and 3D deep learning features can accurately predict survival outcomes in NSCLC patients undergoing radiotherapy.The multi-center validation results support its potential application in prognosis stratification for individualized radiotherapy.
6.Mechanism of tetrahydrocurcumin in improving kidney injury in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on transcriptomics
Junyu MA ; Chunmei ZHANG ; Yang JIANG ; Mengyao LI ; Xiaoyan BI ; Fuli YA
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(6):493-499
Objective To investigate how dietary supplementation with tetrahydrocurcumin(THC)improves kidney injury in type 2 dia-betic mellitus(T2DM)and its mechanism of action using transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq).Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control,T2DM,and T2DM+THC groups.After a high-fat meal and streptozotocin injection,the body weights and fasting blood glucose levels of each mouse with T2DM were measured.Hematoxylin and eosin staining,Oil red O staining,and RNA-seq were performed to examine kidney pathology,lipid deposition,and differentially expressed genes,respectively,in the mice.Results Mice in T2DM group exhibited significantly higher fasting blood glucose levels(P<0.001),renal tubule degeneration,glomeruli enlargement,disordered epithelial cells,and increased kidney lipid deposition after 12 weeks compared with those of the control group.THC adminis-tration alleviated all these conditions(P<0.001).RNA-seq analysis revealed significant gene expression variations among the control,T2DM,and T2DM+THC groups.THC may protect against T2DM-induced kidney injury and lipid deposition by regulating the cell cycle(apoptosis),P53 signaling pathway,and PPARγ signaling path way,as indicated by Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses.In mice with T2DM,THC intervention may upregulate the expression of Cd36,Lpl,PPARγ,and Plin4 genes in renal tissues,while downregulating Ccnb1,Ccnb2,Cdk1,Bub1,and Cdc25c gene expressions.The proteins encoded by the four upregulated genes interact,as do those encoded by the five downregulated genes.Conclusion THC administration improves fasting blood glucose levels,reduces renal damage,and decreases fat deposition in mice with T2DM.The processes may involve decreasing apoptosis,blocking the P53 signaling pathway,and activating the PPARγ signaling pathway.
7.Combining radiomics and deep learning to predict overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Yongxin LIU ; Qiusheng WANG ; Huayong JIANG ; Na LU ; Diandian CHEN ; Yanjun YU ; Yanxiang GAO ; Huijuan ZHANG ; Minmin DENG ; Yinglun SUN ; Fuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(11):1462-1468
Objective To develop a combined model integrating radiomics and 3D deep learning features for improving the predictive efficacy of overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients undergoing radiotherapy,thereby providing a foundation for optimizing individualized radiotherapy strategies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 522 NSCLC patients from 3 centers.Radiomics features were extracted from the tumor region of interest on radiotherapy planning CT scans,and a 3D-SE-ResNet was constructed to extract deep learning features.Following feature extraction,features were selected via univariate Cox analysis and Lasso-Cox regression,and a combined model was established by fusing the two feature types through principal component analysis.The discriminative ability of the model was evaluated using the concordance index(C-index)and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),while the risk stratification efficacy was verified by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results The predictive performance of deep learning features was significantly superior to that of radiomics features(C-index:0.73 vs 0.65).The combined model achieved the highest predictive performance in the training set,internal test set,and external test set(C-index:0.74,0.69,0.72 respectively),with higher AUC values for predicting 1-year,2-year,and 3-year OS than either single model.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in survival between the high-and low-risk groups(Log-rank test,P<0.001),and calibration curves indicated good consistency between predicted and actual survival outcomes.Conclusion The combined model integrating radiomics and 3D deep learning features can accurately predict survival outcomes in NSCLC patients undergoing radiotherapy.The multi-center validation results support its potential application in prognosis stratification for individualized radiotherapy.
8.Tetrahydrocurcumin attenuates high glucose-induced platelet aggregation and activation through down-regulating ROS/p53 signaling pathway
Jinqiu HU ; Xiaoyan BI ; Junyu MA ; Mengyao LI ; Rong LI ; Fuli YA ; Chunmei ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(3):305-312
Objective This study aims to explore the efficacy of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC),the major active metabolite of curcumin,on high glucose(HG)-induced human platelet aggregation and activation as well as to clarify the underlying mechanisms in vitro.Methods Purified platelets prepared from healthy subjects were pre-incubated with various concentrations of THC(0.5 μmol/L,1 μmol/L or 10 μmol/L)or vehicle control(0.05%DMSO)for 40 min at 37℃,followed by the stimulation of normal glucose(NG,5 mmol/L)or HG(25 mmol/L)for additional 90 min.The maximal aggregation rate was determined by an aggregometer.Flow cytometry was used to measure platelet surface expression of CD62P(a typical marker of platelet activation)and generation of total intraplatelet reactive oxygen species(ROS).Meanwhile,the phosphorylation level of platelet p53 was detected by Western blot assay.Results Compared with NG group,HG intervention significantly increased platelet aggrega-tion(P<0.05)and CD62P expression(P<0.001),which were greatly inhibited by different concentrations of THC(P<0.05).Mechanistically,when compared with solvent control,THC significantly decreased the level of total ROS production(P<0.001)and p53 phosphorylation(P<0.05).In addition,HG-induced total intraplatelet ROS generation(P<0.001)and p53 phosphorylation(P<0.05)were greatly attenuated by adding a ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC).The combination of NAC with THC(10 μmol/L)showed no additive inhibitory effects(P>0.05).Moreover,platelet aggregation and activation induced by HG were greatly decreased by NAC and a p53 specific inhibitor PFT-μ(P<0.05).The combination of THC(10 μmol/L)and NAC resulted no additive inhibitory effects on HG-increased platelet aggregation and activation(P>0.05).THC(10 μmol/L)exhibited additive inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation(P<0.05)but no additive inhibitory effects on platelet activation when combined with PFT-μ(P>0.05).Conclusions THC exerts a protective effect on HG-induced platelet aggregation and activation possibly through down-regulating ROS/p53 signaling pathway in human platelets in vitro.The current study may provide potential value for THC to improve thrombosis in diabetes mellitus and the related chronic metabolic diseases.
9.Mechanism of Shenshuai Xiezhuo Decoction in Intervention of Chronic Kidney Disease Combined with Atherosclerosis Based on Regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway by miRNA126
Gengxin LIU ; Gedi ZHANG ; Wenqi YUAN ; Fusheng LI ; Min GUO ; Fuli LUO ; Ziyou YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):48-55
ObjectiveExploring the role of microRNA126 (miRNA126) in chronic kidney disease combined with atherosclerosis (CKD AS) by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and the mechanism of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction in the intervention of CKD AS rats with 5/6 nephrectomy combined with high-fat feeding. MethodA total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, losartan group, and low, medium, and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction. The CKD AS rat model was established by 5/6 nephrectomy combined with high-fat feeding for 10 weeks. The low, medium, and high dose groups (6.0, 12.0, 24.0 g·kg-1·d-1) of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction and the losartan group (20 mg·kg-1·d-1) were gavaged, and the corresponding intervention was carried out for eight weeks. Then, the rats were killed, and samples were collected for corresponding detection. Fully automated biochemical analyzers were used to detect kidney function and blood lipids in rats: blood creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining of aortic tissue and pathological observation under a light microscope were carried out, and autophagosomes and autophagy lysosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA levels of miRNA126, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in rats, and Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, p -mTOR, mTOR, benzyl chloride 1 (Beclin-1), and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ/Ⅰ (LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ). ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the serum SCr, BUN, TC, TG, and LDL-C in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the SCr, BUN, TC, TG, and LDL-C were decreased in the losartan group and low, medium, and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction (P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, thickening plaques, infiltration of mononuclear macrophages, a small number of foam cells, disordered arrangement of smooth muscle fibers in the tunica media, and increased collagen fibers were observed in the model group, and the lesions in the losartan group and Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction groups were alleviated compared with those in the model group. Compared with the model group, the number of autophagosomes and autophagy lysosomes increased in the medium and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction. Compared with the sham operation group, the expression of miRNA126 in the aortic tissue of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of miRNA126 in the aortic tissue of rats in high, medium, and low dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction and losartan group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the mRNA expressions of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the sham operation group, the protein expressions of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, p-mTOR, and mTOR in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the protein levels of Beclin-1, LC3Ⅰ, and LC3Ⅱ were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the protein expressions of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, p-mTOR, and mTOR in the losartan group and low, medium, and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction were decreased (P<0.05), while the protein levels of Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were increased (P<0.05). ConclusionThe expression of miRNA126 is decreased in the aortic tissue of CKD AS rats, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is activated to inhibit autophagy flux. Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction regulates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway through miRNA126, restores the autophagy of aortic endothelial cells, protects the damage of CKD vessels, reduces the formation of As plaques, and slows the development of cardiovascular complications.
10.Auto-segmentation of target areas and organs-at-risk for total marrow and lymphoid irradiation in children
Zhihua XIE ; Na LU ; Jinfeng LIU ; Lixia HOU ; Fuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2024;41(2):163-168
Objective To investigate the feasibility of AccuLearning system for the auto-segmentation of target areas and organs-at-risk(OAR)for total marrow and lymphoid irradiation(TMLI)in children.Methods Thirty pediatric patients who underwent TMLI since 2018 to 2022 were selected.The patients were immobilized in the supine position,and their CT images were acquired on the Philips Brilliance Big Bore CT scanner.After the target areas and OAR were manually delineated and modified,the CT images and manually delineated contours were imported into AccuLearning system for training,validation,and testing of the auto-segmentation model.The auto-segmentation results in 6 TMLI patients in the test set were evaluated in terms of Dice similarity coefficient(DSC),95%Hausdorff distance and average surface distance.Results On the test set with 6 cases,except for the lens that was difficult to be delineated automatically,the DSC values was above 0.70 for all other target areas and OAR,with only one patient having a DSC value of 0.59 for the stomach.The average DSC value for the stomach in all 6 patients was 0.76,and the average DSC values for the other organs were above 0.80.Conclusion The target areas and OAR automatically delineated with the model can meet the requirements of clinical planning after simple modifications.

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