1.MCC950 Targeted Inhibition of TXNIP-NLRP3 Axis-mediated Podocyte Pyroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy
Hong ZHENG ; Zhong-Cheng MO ; Hang LIU ; Xi-Zhang PAN ; Bing WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):418-430
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) globally, representing a major global health burden with limited disease-modifying therapies. Podocyte injury serves as the core pathological hallmark of DN, and conventional treatments targeting metabolic disorders or hemodynamic abnormalities fail to reverse the progressive decline of renal function. Accumulating evidence over the past decade has established that high glucose-induced podocyte pyroptosis—a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death—is a key driving force in DN progression. Its core molecular mechanism hinges on the activation of the TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome axis. Under sustained hyperglycemic conditions, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated via pathways including the polyol pathway, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Concurrently, methylglyoxal (a glucose metabolite) mediates post-translational modification of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). These events collectively trigger the dissociation of TXNIP from thioredoxin (TRX), a redox-regulating protein. The free TXNIP then translocates to the mitochondria, where it binds to The NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and promotes inflammasome assembly. This assembly activates cysteine-aspartic acid protease 1 (caspase-1), which cleaves Gasdermin D (GSDMD) to generate its N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT). GSDMD-NT oligomerizes to form membrane pores, leading to podocyte swelling, rupture, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). These cytokines amplify local inflammatory responses, induce mesangial cell proliferation, and accelerate extracellular matrix deposition, ultimately exacerbating glomerulosclerosis. MCC950, a highly selective NLRP3 inhibitor, exerts its therapeutic effects through a multi-layered mechanism: it binds to the NACHT domain (NAIP, CIITA, HET-E and TP1 domain) of NLRP3 with nanomolar affinity, forming hydrogen bonds with key residues (Lys-42 and Asp-166) within the ATP-hydrolysis pocket to block ATP hydrolysis, thereby locking NLRP3 in an inactive conformational state. Additionally, MCC950 interferes with the protein-protein interaction between TXNIP and NLRP3 and regulates mitochondrial homeostasis to reduce ROS production. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MCC950 dose-dependently reduces proteinuria, restores the expression of podocyte-specific markers (nephrin and Wilms tumor 1 protein, WT1), and alleviates podocyte foot process fusion and glomerulosclerosis in both streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic models (characterized by absolute insulin deficiency) and db/db type 2 diabetic models (driven by insulin resistance). However, discrepancies in therapeutic outcomes exist across different models—some studies report exacerbated renal inflammation and fibrosis in STZ-induced models—which may stem from differences in disease pathogenesis, intervention timing (early vs. mid-stage disease), and dosing duration. Despite its promising preclinical efficacy, MCC950 faces significant translational challenges, including low oral bioavailability, insufficient podocyte targeting, potential hepatotoxicity, and drug-drug interactions with statins (commonly prescribed to diabetic patients for cardiovascular risk management). Furthermore, off-target effects such as the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase 2 have been identified, raising concerns about its safety profile. Nevertheless, its unique mechanism of action—directly blocking podocyte pyroptosis by targeting the TXNIP-NLRP3 axis—endows it with substantial translational value. In the future, strategies to overcome these barriers are expected to advance its clinical application: targeted delivery via nanocarriers (e.g., PLGA-PEG nanoparticles or nephrin antibody-conjugated systems) to enhance renal accumulation and podocyte specificity; precise patient stratification based on biomarkers such as serum IL-18 and renal TXNIP/NLRP3 expression to identify “inflammatory-phenotype” DN patients most likely to benefit; and combination therapy with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors—whose metabolic benefits synergize with MCC950’s anti-inflammatory effects. These approaches hold great potential to break through clinical translation bottlenecks, offering a novel, precise anti-inflammatory treatment option for DN and addressing an unmet clinical need for therapies targeting the inflammatory underpinnings of the disease.
2.MCC950 Targeted Inhibition of TXNIP-NLRP3 Axis-mediated Podocyte Pyroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy
Hong ZHENG ; Zhong-Cheng MO ; Hang LIU ; Xi-Zhang PAN ; Bing WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):418-430
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) globally, representing a major global health burden with limited disease-modifying therapies. Podocyte injury serves as the core pathological hallmark of DN, and conventional treatments targeting metabolic disorders or hemodynamic abnormalities fail to reverse the progressive decline of renal function. Accumulating evidence over the past decade has established that high glucose-induced podocyte pyroptosis—a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death—is a key driving force in DN progression. Its core molecular mechanism hinges on the activation of the TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome axis. Under sustained hyperglycemic conditions, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated via pathways including the polyol pathway, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Concurrently, methylglyoxal (a glucose metabolite) mediates post-translational modification of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). These events collectively trigger the dissociation of TXNIP from thioredoxin (TRX), a redox-regulating protein. The free TXNIP then translocates to the mitochondria, where it binds to The NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and promotes inflammasome assembly. This assembly activates cysteine-aspartic acid protease 1 (caspase-1), which cleaves Gasdermin D (GSDMD) to generate its N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT). GSDMD-NT oligomerizes to form membrane pores, leading to podocyte swelling, rupture, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). These cytokines amplify local inflammatory responses, induce mesangial cell proliferation, and accelerate extracellular matrix deposition, ultimately exacerbating glomerulosclerosis. MCC950, a highly selective NLRP3 inhibitor, exerts its therapeutic effects through a multi-layered mechanism: it binds to the NACHT domain (NAIP, CIITA, HET-E and TP1 domain) of NLRP3 with nanomolar affinity, forming hydrogen bonds with key residues (Lys-42 and Asp-166) within the ATP-hydrolysis pocket to block ATP hydrolysis, thereby locking NLRP3 in an inactive conformational state. Additionally, MCC950 interferes with the protein-protein interaction between TXNIP and NLRP3 and regulates mitochondrial homeostasis to reduce ROS production. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MCC950 dose-dependently reduces proteinuria, restores the expression of podocyte-specific markers (nephrin and Wilms tumor 1 protein, WT1), and alleviates podocyte foot process fusion and glomerulosclerosis in both streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic models (characterized by absolute insulin deficiency) and db/db type 2 diabetic models (driven by insulin resistance). However, discrepancies in therapeutic outcomes exist across different models—some studies report exacerbated renal inflammation and fibrosis in STZ-induced models—which may stem from differences in disease pathogenesis, intervention timing (early vs. mid-stage disease), and dosing duration. Despite its promising preclinical efficacy, MCC950 faces significant translational challenges, including low oral bioavailability, insufficient podocyte targeting, potential hepatotoxicity, and drug-drug interactions with statins (commonly prescribed to diabetic patients for cardiovascular risk management). Furthermore, off-target effects such as the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase 2 have been identified, raising concerns about its safety profile. Nevertheless, its unique mechanism of action—directly blocking podocyte pyroptosis by targeting the TXNIP-NLRP3 axis—endows it with substantial translational value. In the future, strategies to overcome these barriers are expected to advance its clinical application: targeted delivery via nanocarriers (e.g., PLGA-PEG nanoparticles or nephrin antibody-conjugated systems) to enhance renal accumulation and podocyte specificity; precise patient stratification based on biomarkers such as serum IL-18 and renal TXNIP/NLRP3 expression to identify “inflammatory-phenotype” DN patients most likely to benefit; and combination therapy with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors—whose metabolic benefits synergize with MCC950’s anti-inflammatory effects. These approaches hold great potential to break through clinical translation bottlenecks, offering a novel, precise anti-inflammatory treatment option for DN and addressing an unmet clinical need for therapies targeting the inflammatory underpinnings of the disease.
3.Eplerenone alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in mice by inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization through Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB pathway
Chi XIAO ; Jing CAI ; Zi-hang WANG ; Yong-zheng ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Lu-feng CHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):726-737
Aim To investigate the effect of eplerenone(EPL)on the alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on voltage-gated potassium channel 1.3(Kv1.3)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)to inhibit macrophage M1 polarization in mice.Methods Bioinformatics technology was used to screen disease pathways and targets,and the binding affinity and stability of EPL-Kv1.3 complex system were calculated.A mouse model of RA was established and treated with EPL by intragastric administration for 42 days.The indicators reflecting drug remission of RA were recorded and detected.RAW264.7 cells were treated with EPL to detect the indicators reflecting the effect of drugs on macrophage M1 polarization,and to verify the upstream and downstream key targets of re-lated signaling pathways mediated by drugs.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the disease targets were mainly involved in inflammatory response and NF-κB signaling pathway,and EPL-Kv1.3 had high affinity and stable binding.In animal experiments,the detec-tion of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(CCP-Ab)and joint score indicated the successful establish-ment of the model.Compared with the model group,EPL could reduce the toe redness and swelling score,alleviate the plantar redness and swelling,synovial swelling,and reduce fibrosis and inflammatory cell in-filtration in mice.The medium-dose and high-dose EPL groups reduced the HE staining score(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the high-dose EPL group reduced the serum RF in mice(P<0.01).CCK-8 results showed that low,medium and high doses of EPL had no effect on the activity of RAW264.7 macrophages(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,EPL treatment significantly reduced the contents of IL-6,TNF-α and NO in supernatant of the cells(P<0.01),reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-KB-p65 in the high-dose EPL group,reduced the M1 polarization and increased the proportion of M2 polarization in the medium and high-dose EPL groups(P<0.01).The mRNA levels of MyD88,IκB-α,NF-κB-p65,NF-KB-p50,IL-1 β and iNOS were significantly reduced in each dose group of EPL(P<0.01).EPL significantly increased the pro-tein expression of Bcl-2(P<0.01)and decreased the protein expression of Kv1.3,MyD88,p-IκB-α/IκB-α,p-p65/p65,IL-1 β and iNOS(P<0.05).Conclusion EPL may play an immunomodulatory role in relieving RA in mice by regulating Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB path-way,reducing macrophage M1 polarization and amelio-rating macrophage-associated inflammatory response.
4.Pulmonary Hemodynamic Correlates and Prognostic Value of the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Score in Patients With Left Heart Failure
Qianqian CHEN ; Wande YU ; Peipei CHENG ; Mengyu ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Dandan WEI ; Hang ZHANG
Cardiology Discovery 2025;05(1):47-54
Objective::Pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart failure is associated with an abnormal response to exercise and poor prognosis. The objective of this study is to develop an algorithm by using data from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to assess the severity of pulmonary hemodynamics and predict clinical worsening and mortality in patients with heart failure.Methods::From April 2017 to December 2018, a total of 102 patients with heart failure who underwent CPET and invasive right heart catheterization participated in this prospective study. All enrolled patients had their clinical characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and CPET results. Based on the CPET data namely peak oxygen uptake, the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope, resting end-tidal carbon dioxide, oxygen uptake/work rate flattening, exercise oscillatory ventilation, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope, a Heart Failure Cardiopulmonary Exercise (HFCE) score was developed. The total score was then calculated to categorize patients into 3 groups: low score (0-3) ( n = 31), intermediate score (4-7) ( n = 45), and high score (8-14) ( n = 26). Clinical events were defined as all-cause death and rehospitalization for heart failure, which were recorded and tracked for at least 12 months. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between the HFCE score and hemodynamic parameters, 6-minute walk distance, and N-terminal-pro hormone brain natriuretic peptide. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of clinical events. Survival curves for clinical events were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared among the 3 groups with different HFCE scores with a log-rank test. Results::The high HFCE score group had a higher prevalence of New York Heart Association class Ⅲ-Ⅳ (high score vs. intermediate score vs. low score: 85% (22/26) vs. 56% (25/45) vs. 45% (14/31), P = 0.008), higher N-terminal-pro hormone brain natriuretic peptide levels (high score vs. intermediate score vs. low score: (3,039 ± 2,171) ng/L vs. (2,039 ± 2,353) ng/L vs. (1,438 ± 947) ng/L, P = 0.035), lower 6-minute walk distance (high score vs. intermediate score vs. low score: (312 ± 79) m vs. (362 ± 84) m vs. (363 ± 76) m, P = 0.042) compared to intermediate score or low score. The high HFCE score correlated well with high levels of pulmonary vascular resistance ( r = 0.539, P < 0.01), pulmonary artery wedge pressure ( r = 0.292, P < 0.01), and mean pulmonary artery pressure ( r = 0.474, P < 0.01), as well as low levels of cardiac output ( r = -0.357, P < 0.01). Moreover, 46 patients developed composed clinical events at 12 months. In the multivariate model, the HFCE score was an independent predictor of composed clinical events (hazard ratio = 1.142, 95% confidence interval: 1.041-1.253, P = 0.005). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly higher probability of composed clinical events in patients with a higher HFCE score ( P log-rank = 0.004). Conclusion::The HFCE score—obtained through CPET—provides valuable prognostic information by indicating the severity of hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart failure. It can likely serve as a reliable predictor for clinical worsening and mortality.
5.Expression of serum miRNA-335 and miRNA-375 in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and their relationship with pathological features and prognosis
Hao CHI ; Wei FAN ; Hongyang LI ; Tan WANG ; Wei WANG ; Cheng HANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(7):530-534
Objective:To study the expression of serum microRNA (miRNA)-335 and miRNA-375 in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and their relationship with pathological features and prognosis.Methods:Using a case-control study method, 94 PTC patients admitted to Huaian Hospital of Huaian City from March 2021 to March 2023 were selected as PTC group. Another 73 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the relative expression levels of serum miRNA-335 and miRNA-375. PTC patients were followed up until September 30, 2024, and the patient's prognosis was record. The relative expression levels of serum miRNA-335 and miRNA-375 were compared between the two groups, among different pathological features, and among patients with different prognoses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for prognosis in PTC patients.Results:The relative expression level of serum miRNA-335 in the PTC group (2.35 ± 0.68) was higher than that in the control group (0.98 ± 0.04), while the relative expression level of miRNA-375 (0.65 ± 0.21) was lower than that in the control group (1.01 ± 0.02, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant differences in the relative expression levels of serum miRNA-335 and miRNA-375 among PTC patients with different tumor diameters, tumor locations, tumor numbers, and vascular invasion ( P > 0.05). The relative expression level of serum miRNA-335 in TNM stages Ⅲ - Ⅳ was higher than that in stages Ⅰ - Ⅱ, while the relative expression level of miRNA-375 in TNM stages Ⅲ - Ⅳ was lower than that in stages Ⅰ - Ⅱ ( P < 0.001). The relative expression level of serum miRNA-335 of patients with lymph node metastasis was higher than that of patients without lymph node metastasis, while the relative expression level of serum miRNA-375 of patients with lymph node metastasis was lower than that of patients without lymph node metastasis ( P < 0.001). The relative expression level of serum miRNA-335 in the poor prognosis group was higher than that in the good prognosis group, while the relative expression level of miRNA-375 in the poor prognosis group was lower than that in the good prognosis group ( P < 0.001). Vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, high expression of miRNA-335, and low expression of miRNA-375 were all independent risk factors for prognosis in PTC patients ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Patients with PTC have high serum miRNA-335 expression and low miRNA-375 expression, and the expression of miRNA-335 and miRNA-375 is closely related to TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis, which deserves clinical attention.
6.Effect of perioperative oral probiotics on infectious complications after pancreatico- duodenectomy
Jialing LI ; Hexing HANG ; Defu HU ; Zhiang WANG ; Hao CHENG ; Xu FU ; Yudong QIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(5):347-356
Objective:To explore whether perioperative oral probiotic therapy reduces infectious complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), aiming to obtain higher-level evidence for clinical practice.Methods:A total of 81 participants undergoing PD at the Department of Pancreatic and Metabolic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital & Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, from May 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled in this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly divided into a probiotic treatment group and a control group (receiving conventional treatment without probiotics) using a random number method. The primary outcomes included the incidence of postoperative infectious complications and intra-abdominal infection, and the secondary outcomes were the recovery of gastrointestinal function, postoperative hospital stay, and duration and costs of antibiotic use. The hematological indicators including inflammation and immune markers on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, and 7 were also compared between these two groups.Results:Finally 72 cases (39 males and 33 females) were analyzed, with 36 patients in the probiotic treatment group and 36 patients in the control group. Compared to the control group, the probiotic treatment group showed statistically significant reductions in the incidence of infectious complications (33.3% vs. 66.7%, P=0.029), intra-abdominal infection (27.8% vs. 58.3%, P=0.030), and incidence of delayed gastric emptying (0 vs. 16.7%, P=0.033). Also, the probiotic treatment group exhibited significantly faster recovery in postoperative bowel movements and shorter time to defecation, liquid diet, and semi-liquid diet (all P<0.05). Additionally, the probiotic treatment group had significantly shorter hospital stay, reduced duration of antibiotic use, and lower antibiotic costs (all P<0.05). Finally, the probiotic treatment group had significantly higher lymphocyte counts on POD 1 ( P<0.05) and showed a significant downward trend in inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 on PODs 3 and 5 and C-reactive protein on POD 7 (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Perioperative application of probiotic preparations in PD may reduce the incidence of postoperative infectious complications, especially intra-abdominal infection. Additionally, it can prevent delayed gastric emptying, promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function, shorten hospital stay, and reduce the use of antibiotics. These benefits may be related to the improvement of postoperative inflammatory status.
7.Translational Research of Electromagnetic Fields on Diseases Related With Bone Remodeling: Review and Prospects
Peng SHANG ; Jun-Yu LIU ; Sheng-Hang WANG ; Jian-Cheng YANG ; Zhe-Yuan ZHANG ; An-Lin LI ; Hao ZHANG ; Yu-Hong ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):439-455
Electromagnetic fields can regulate the fundamental biological processes involved in bone remodeling. As a non-invasive physical therapy, electromagnetic fields with specific parameters have demonstrated therapeutic effects on bone remodeling diseases, such as fractures and osteoporosis. Electromagnetic fields can be generated by the movement of charged particles or induced by varying currents. Based on whether the strength and direction of the electric field change over time, electromagnetic fields can be classified into static and time-varying fields. The treatment of bone remodeling diseases with static magnetic fields primarily focuses on fractures, often using magnetic splints to immobilize the fracture site while studying the effects of static magnetic fields on bone healing. However, there has been relatively little research on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis using static magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, a type of time-varying field, have been widely used in clinical studies for treating fractures, osteoporosis, and non-union. However, current clinical applications are limited to low-frequency, and research on the relationship between frequency and biological effects remains insufficient. We believe that different types of electromagnetic fields acting on bone can induce various “secondary physical quantities”, such as magnetism, force, electricity, acoustics, and thermal energy, which can stimulate bone cells either individually or simultaneously. Bone cells possess specific electromagnetic properties, and in a static magnetic field, the presence of a magnetic field gradient can exert a certain magnetism on the bone tissue, leading to observable effects. In a time-varying magnetic field, the charged particles within the bone experience varying Lorentz forces, causing vibrations and generating acoustic effects. Additionally, as the frequency of the time-varying field increases, induced currents or potentials can be generated within the bone, leading to electrical effects. When the frequency and power exceed a certain threshold, electromagnetic energy can be converted into thermal energy, producing thermal effects. In summary, external electromagnetic fields with different characteristics can generate multiple physical quantities within biological tissues, such as magnetic, electric, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal effects. These physical quantities may also interact and couple with each other, stimulating the biological tissues in a combined or composite manner, thereby producing biological effects. This understanding is key to elucidating the electromagnetic mechanisms of how electromagnetic fields influence biological tissues. In the study of electromagnetic fields for bone remodeling diseases, attention should be paid to the biological effects of bone remodeling under different electromagnetic wave characteristics. This includes exploring innovative electromagnetic source technologies applicable to bone remodeling, identifying safe and effective electromagnetic field parameters, and combining basic research with technological invention to develop scientifically grounded, advanced key technologies for innovative electromagnetic treatment devices targeting bone remodeling diseases. In conclusion, electromagnetic fields and multiple physical factors have the potential to prevent and treat bone remodeling diseases, and have significant application prospects.
8.OpenSim-based prediction of lower-limb biomechanical behavior in adolescents with plantarflexor weakness
Enhong FU ; Hang YANG ; Cheng LIANG ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Yali ZHANG ; Zhongmin JIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1789-1795
BACKGROUND:The plantarflexor weakness is a common muscle defect in patients with spastic cerebral palsy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth,which clinically manifests abnormal gaits,and the relationship between plantarflexor weakness and abnormal gaits is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biomechanical behavior of the lower limb under the action of a single factor of plantarflexor weakness to reveal the mechanism of abnormal gait induced by plantarflexor weakness and to provide guidance for the rehabilitation training of patients with plantarflexor weakness. METHODS:A predictive framework of musculoskeletal multibody dynamics in the sagittal plane was established based on OpenSim Moco to predict lower limb joint angles and muscle activation changes during walking in normal subjects.The validity of the framework was verified by combining the inverse kinematics and electromyogram activation time of the experimental data.Reduced isometric muscle forces were used to model plantarflexor weakness and to compare predicted lower extremity joint angles,joint moments,and muscle energy expenditure with normal subjects to analyze the effects of plantarflexor weakness on lower extremity biomechanics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The Moco-based prediction framework realistically predicted the biomechanical changes of the lower limbs during walking in normal subjects(joint angles:normalized correlation coefficient≥0.73,root mean square error≤7.10°).(2)The musculoskeletal model used a small stride support phase to increase the"heel-walking"gait during plantarflexor weakness.When the plantarflexor weakness reached 80%,the muscle energy expenditure was 5.691 4 J/kg/m,and the maximum activation levels of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were 0.72 and 0.53,which might cause the plantarflexor weakness patients to be more prone to fatigue when walking.(3)Muscle energy expenditure was significantly higher when the weakness of plantarflexors exceeded 40%,and the joint angles and moments of the lower limbs deteriorated significantly when the weakness of plantarflexors exceeded 60%,suggesting that there may be a"threshold"for the effect of plantarflexor weakness on gait,which may correspond to the point at which health care professionals should intervene in the clinical setting.
9.From Correlation to Causation: Understanding Episodic Memory Networks.
Ahsan KHAN ; Jing LIU ; Maité CRESPO-GARCÍA ; Kai YUAN ; Cheng-Peng HU ; Ziyin REN ; Chun-Hang Eden TI ; Desmond J OATHES ; Raymond Kai-Yu TONG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(8):1463-1486
Episodic memory, our ability to recall past experiences, is supported by structures in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) particularly the hippocampus, and its interactions with fronto-parietal brain regions. Understanding how these brain regions coordinate to encode, consolidate, and retrieve episodic memories remains a fundamental question in cognitive neuroscience. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods, especially transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), have advanced episodic memory research beyond traditional lesion studies and neuroimaging by enabling causal investigations through targeted magnetic stimulation to specific brain regions. This review begins by delineating the evolving understanding of episodic memory from both psychological and neurobiological perspectives and discusses the brain networks supporting episodic memory processes. Then, we review studies that employed TMS to modulate episodic memory, with the aim of identifying potential cortical regions that could be used as stimulation sites to modulate episodic memory networks. We conclude with the implications and prospects of using NIBS to understand episodic memory mechanisms.
Humans
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Memory, Episodic
;
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/methods*
;
Brain/physiology*
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Nerve Net/physiology*
;
Mental Recall/physiology*
;
Neural Pathways/physiology*
10.Research progress on biosynthesis of triterpenoids in Centella asiatica.
Pei-Na ZHOU ; Bin CHEN ; Cheng-Jie SHU ; Zhuo-Hang LI ; Peng CHEN ; Cheng-Hao FEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):609-619
The triterpenoid saponins of Centella asiatica, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, are pivotal bioactive compounds of the plant. These constituents exhibit a spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and antidepressant effects, promotion of wound healing, and enhancement of microcirculation. Owing to these therapeutic properties, C. asiatica is widely employed in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, the escalating global demand for its extracts has led to potential supply shortages, prompting researchers to use multiple strategies such as multi-omics, molecular biology, and synthetic biology to conduct extensive studies. These studies encompass the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins in C. asiatica, metabolic regulation, the hormonal induction of secondary metabolite synthesis, and the application of biotechnological strategies for natural product production to increase the yield of secondary metabolites in C. asiatica, or to produce active components via microbial chassis, thus satisfying market demands and promoting the sustainable exploitation of wild C. asiatica resources. This article first introduced the triterpenoid saponins of C. asiatica and their biological activities, then summarized the latest research advancements in their biosynthetic pathways, metabolic regulation, and heterologous biosynthesis, and provided an outlook on future development directions, with the aim of providing reference for comprehensive resource development and biotechnological synthesis of active components from C. asiatica.
Centella/genetics*
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Triterpenes/chemistry*
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Biosynthetic Pathways
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts

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