1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Honokiol inhibits the malignant progression of gastric cancer cells by regulating the ATF4/CHOP/TRIB3 pathway
Kaihong DAI ; Xianhui WEN ; Yun HUANG ; Sixi WEI ; Hai HUANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):827-835
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of honokiol on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and its underlying mechanistic. MethodsHuman gastric cancer cell lines HGC-27 and AGS were treated with Honokiol at concentrations of 0, 15, and 25 μmol/L. CCK-8 assays were conducted to determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for both cell lines. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities were assessed using CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell migration and Transwell invasion assays. Apoptosis rates were measured via flow cytometry. Western blot analysis examined proteins related to proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway ATF4-CHOP-TRIB3. ResultsCompared with the control group, treatment with 15 and 25 μmol/L Honokiol significantly reduced the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion capabilities of the two gastric cancer cell lines, while significantly increasing the apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Additionally, compared to the control group, the protein expression levels of neural cadherin(N-cadherin), Vimentin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 protein(Bcl-2)decreased in the two gastric cancer cell lines after treatment with 15 and 25 μmol/L Honokiol, while the protein expression levels of epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), activating transcription factor 4(ATF4), endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein(CHOP), and tribbles homolog 3(TRIB3)increased(P<0.05). ConclusionHonokiol promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells by regulating the ERS signaling pathway ATF4/CHOP/TRIB3.
4.Analysis of Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Cytological Char-acteristics and Prognostic Research in FLT3-ITD mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Hai-Bo LIU ; Wen-Juan WANG ; Juan LIU ; Ya-Lin LIU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1565-1570
Objective:To investigate the bone marrow and peripheral blood cytological characteristics and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia(AML)with FLT3-ITD mutation.Methods:A total of 106 newly diagnosed AML patients who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an JiaoTong University from January 2021 to December 2023 were collected,and divided into mutation group and non-mutation group according to the results of high-throughput sequencing of bone marrow specimens.The cytological characteristics of bone marrow smears and peripheral blood smears of patients in the two groups were analyzed at the time of initial diagnosis.The differences in the degree of hyperplasia,the proportion of leukemic cells,and the erythroblasts and megakaryocytes were compared between the two groups.What's more,the relationship between FLT3-ITD mutation status and characteristics of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells was analyzed.Results:AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation accounted for 24.53%of the hospitalized AML patients during the same period.Patients with peripheral blood leukocyte counts>30 × 109/L accounted for 53%,and>100 × 109/L accounted for 15%in FLT3-ITD mutation group.Compared with non-mutation group,the peripheral blood leukocyte count was significantly higher in the mutation group(P<0.001),and the degree of hemoglobin decline was milder(P<0.05).The level of platelet was not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).The highest proportion of FAB subtypes were M2a and M5a in mutation group,which accounted for 38%and 27%,respectively.The proportion of extreme hyperplasia of bone marrow in the mutation group was 38.46%,which was higher than 23.75%in the non-mutation group.The proportion of peripheral blood and bone marrow leukemic cells in patients with high-frequency mutation were significantly higher than those in patients with low-frequency mutation(both P<0.01).The complete remission(CR)rate after the first induction chemotherapy was 38.46%and 65.00%in the mutation group and non-mutation group,respectively,and the CR rate after 2 courses of induction chemotherapy was 50.00%and 73.75%,respectively.Conclusion:The FLT3-ITD mutation results in high proliferation and rapid progression of the bone marrow feature in AML patients,with less suppression of normal erythropoiesis.Increased mutation frequency is accompanied by increased leukemic tumor burden in the bone marrow and circulation,and patients with FLT3-ITD mutation have a low response rate to early induction therapy.
5.Rehabilitation effect of aerobic exercise combined with discharge rehabilitation guidance in patients with coronary heart disease
Hui-wen SHEN ; Li YUAN ; Hai-rong YANG ; Ying GU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(5):598-604
Objective:To investigate the rehabilitation effect of aerobic exercise combined with discharge rehabilita-tion guidance in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 225 CHD patients admitted in Huai'an First People's Hospital between June 2020 and June 2023.Patients were ran-domly divided into control group(n=112)and intervention group(n=113).Patients in the control group received discharge rehabilitation guidance intervention,while those in the intervention group received additional aerobic ex-ercise training.After 6-month intervention,cardiac function,pulmonary function,vascular endothelial function indexes,quality of life,exercise treadmill scores,walking distance and patient satisfaction with rehabilitation effect were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared to those in the control group after intervention,patients in the intervention group had significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(69.82±7.92)%vs.(63.34±6.88)%],stroke volume(SV)[(74.74±8.09)ml vs.(68.03±7.70)ml],cardiac output(CO)[(4.85±0.82)L/min vs.(4.18±0.73)L/min],cardiac index(CI)[(3.05±0.64)L·min-1·m-2 vs.(2.42±0.59)L·min-1·m-2],forced vital capacity(FVC)[(2.88±0.59)L vs.(2.37±0.56)L],maximum oxygen uptake(VO2max)[(23.23±4.08)ml·kg-1·min-1 vs.(19.79±3.86)ml·kg-1·min-1],anaerobic threshold(AT)[(21.10±4.18)ml·kg-1·min-1 vs.(17.21±3.90)ml·kg-1·min-1],nitric oxide(NO)[(33.10±5.18)mg/L vs.(27.21±5.90)mg/L],scores of General Quality of Life Inventory 74(GQOLI-74)[(85.43±8.19)points vs.(79.67±7.86)points],Duke treadmill score(DTS)[(9.08±2.03)points vs.(7.14±1.78)points],6-min walking distance(6MWD)[(342.14±36.24)m vs.(317.21±34.90)m](P<0.001 all),and significantly lower levels of von Willebrand factor(vWF)[(23.43±4.39)ng/L vs.(29.37±4.56)ng/L]and endothelin-1(ET-1)[(47.12±5.28)pg/ml vs.(52.79±5.96)pg/ml](P<0.001 all).We detected significantly higher total satisfac-tion with rehabilitation effect(92.73%vs.78.18%,P=0.002)in intervention group.Conclusion:Aerobic exercise combined with discharge rehabilitation guidance had good rehabilitation effect in CHD patients.It could improve their cardiopulmonary function,vascular endothelial function,and prognosis quality of life,and increase patient sat-isfaction.
6.Quality inspection of ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment
Jing HUANG ; Qi-di SUN ; Ao-wen DUAN ; Li XU ; Heng-yu LONG ; Hai-jiang ZHU ; He-hua ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):49-53
Objective To carry out quality inspection of the ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment to ensure its safety and effectiveness.Methods Five brands of ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment were selected and noted as test equipment A,test equipment B,test equipment C,test equipment D and test equipment E,which underwent quality inspection in terms of tip main amplitude,tip lateral amplitude,tip vibration frequency,excitation frequency,static electrical power and contact current based on YY/T 0644-2008 Ultrasonics-surgical systems—Measurement and declaration of the basic output characteristics,YY/T 1750-2020 Ultrasonic surgical equipmetn for soft tissue excision and hemostasia and GB 9706.1-2020 Medical electrical equipment—Part 1:General requirements for basic safety and essential performance.Results The test data of the five brands in terms of tip main amplitude,tip lateral amplitude,tip vibration frequency,excitation frequency,static electrical power and contact current met the technical requirements of YY/T 0644-2008,YY/T 1750-2020,GB 9706.1-2020.Conclusion The quality inspection of the ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment contributes to enhancing the accuracy and stability of the equipment and decreasing the risk during its clinical application.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):49-53]
7.Proteomics study of lethal arrhythmias in rats
Yuebing HUANG ; Hai QIU ; Wen CHEN ; Zilin MENG ; Yu CAI ; Xia YUE ; Dongfang QIAO
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;40(4):444-449
Objective To identify key proteins associated with sudden cardiac death(SCD)caused by lethal arrhythmia and to explore their potential molecular mechanisms through integrated proteomic analysis,data mining,and bioinformatics.Methods A lethal arrhythmia model was established in 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats,which were divided into an arrhythmia group and a control group.Proteomic techniques were applied to identify and quantify proteins in left ventricular myocardial tissue,and differentially expressed proteins related to arrhythmia were screened.Key proteins were further identified through comparison with target proteins in databases combined with joint analyses.Bioinformatics methods were then used to investigate potential molecular mechanisms.Results A total of 356 differentially expressed proteins were identified,including 189 upregulated and 167 downregulated.Association analysis with target gene proteins identified 71 key proteins,and a protein-protein interaction network was constructed.GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that these key proteins were primarily involved in ion channel dysfunction,enhanced oxidative stress,and autonomic nervous system imbalance.Conclusion This study,through the integration of proteomics,data mining,and bioinformatics,revealed critical molecular mechanisms underlying SCD associated with lethal arrhythmia.These findings provide new perspectives and potential biomarkers for forensic identification and research on the mechanisms of death.
8.Research progress of mitochondrial quality control in myocardial fibrosis
Xiao-bin ZHAO ; Wen-fang JIN ; Hai-feng ZHANG ; Wen-yu LIU ; Ying-dong LI ; Xin-ke ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1419-1423
Myocardial fibrosis(MF)is the leading cause of car-diac insufficiency.Its complex pathogenesis and lack of effective treatment are key issues to be addressed in the cardiovascular field.Mitochondrial quality control system(MQC)is an impor-tant mechanism for eukaryotic cells to maintain the stability of mitochondrial form,quantity and quality.MQC disorders,which are characterized by low level of mitochondrial biogenesis,exces-sive mitochondrial oxidative stress,mitochondrial autophagy de-fect and mitochondrial dynamics disorder,play a crucial role in mediating the pathophysiological process of MF.Consequently,this article reviews the role of MQC in MF pathogenesis and the latest research,in order to better understand the molecular mech-anism of MF and provide reference for the development of more natural drugs in the future.
9.Shengmai Yin alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via inhibiting Calpains expression
Rong MIAO ; Jing-wen GUO ; Ming HUANG ; Hai-shuo REN ; Rui LIU ; Xiao-yu SUN ; Opoku Bonsu FRANCIS ; Qi-long WANG ; Shi-ming FANG ; Ling LENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1569-1577
Aim To investigate the protective effect of Shengmai Yin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in-jury(MI/RI)in vitro and in vivo and to unravel the underlying mechanism.Methods SD rats were divid-ed into the sham group,model group,and Shengmai Yin group(SM).Rat MI/RI model was established.Cardiac function,infarct area,pathological changes,cardiomyocyte apoptosis,macrophage infiltration,and serum cTnT and CK-MB levels were measured.The mRNA and protein expressions of Calpain-1 and Cal-pain-2 were assessed.The hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)model was constructed in H9c2 cells.The active ingredients of Shengmai Yin were screened using net-work pharmacology and verified by CCK-8.In the car-diomyocytes H/R model,Fluo-4 AM staining was used to detect the changes of Ca2+levels.Results Com-pared with model group,LVEF and LVFS of Shengmai Yin-treated rats increased,myocardial infarction area was reduced,while myocardial tissue injury was allevi-ated.Myocardial apoptosis rate and the number of macrophages were reduced.Similarly,cTnT and CK-MB levels decreased.In addition,the expression lev-els of Calpain-1 and Calpain-2 mRNA and protein de-creased in the SM treatment group.Under the H/R model,all the active ingredients of Shengmai decoction had protective effects on cardiomyocytes,and the treat-ment could reduce the level of Ca2+in cardiomyocytes.Conclusions Shengmai Yin has protective effects on MI/RI in rats.This effect may be related to the de-crease in Ca2+levels,as well as Calpain-1 and Calap-in-2 mRNA and protein expression.
10.Cranial MRI-based correlational study of enlarged perivascular spaces score and deep medullary vein score
Wen SU ; Hai-long JIANG ; Xiao-yan LU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(4):52-56
Objective To investigate the relationship between deep medullary vein(DMV)score and enlarged perivascular space(EPVS)score with cranial MRI to explore the mechanisms of EPVS occurrence and development.Methods Totally 118 patients with cerebral small vessel disease in some hospital had their clinical and imaging data analyzed retrospectively.On T2-weighted images,EPVS scores ranging from 0 to 4 were assigned to the basal ganglia and centrum semiovale regions based on the number of EPVS.For DMV scoring on magnetic susceptibility weighted images,the brain lobes were divided into six regions,including bilateral frontal,parietal and occipital lobes,and scored according to the significance and continuity of the DMV signals(0 to 3 points),and the scores of the regions were summed up as the total DMV score(0 to 18 points).Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between DMV and EPVS scores.Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the differences among groups with different EPVS scores.Additionally,multinomial ordinal regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors influencing EPVS.Results No significant correlation was found between EPVS scores in centrum semiovale and DMV scores(r2=0.015,P=0.191),while DMV scores and EPVS scores in basal ganglia showed a significant positive correlation(r2=0.558,P<0.000 1).Univariate analysis revealed statisti-cally significant differences in age,hypertension and DMV scores when different scoring groups of EPVS in the basal ganglia region were compared(P<0.05);multinomial ordinal regression analysis showed that age,hypertension and DMV scores were independently correlated with EPVS scores in the basal ganglia region.Conclusion There is a positive correlation between DMV scores and EPVS scores in the basal ganglia.Age,hypertension,and DMV score are independent influe-ncing factors for EPVS in the basal ganglia region.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):52-56]

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