1.LSS deficiency ameliorates MASLD by downregulating NPC1L1 and activating the CD36/TLR4/JNK pathway
Zihan WANG ; Hongmei BAI ; Qingya HE ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Jian ZHONG ; Xiaoli JIANG ; Sumei ZHANG ; Shengquan ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):812-818
ObjectiveTo investigate whether intestinal deficiency of lanosterol synthase (LSS), a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, influences the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by regulating intestinal cholesterol absorption and immune response. MethodsLSS heterozygous knockout (LSS+/-) mice and wild-type (WT) controls were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) or regular chow (CHOW). The model was validated by genotyping. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by HE and oil red O staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression of NPC1L1 and CD36 proteins in the intestine. Western blot analysis was performed to measure JNK phosphorylation and TLR4 protein levels in intestinal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to examine the mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL-6. ResultsLSS+/- mice were successfully validated by genotyping and reduced intestinal LSS protein expression. HE and oil red O staining of liver sections showed that, compared with WT mice fed a CHOW diet, WT mice fed a HFD exhibited a marked increase in hepatic lipid vacuoles. In contrast, compared with HFD-fed WT mice, HFD-fed LSS+/- mice displayed significantly attenuated hepatic lipid deposition and reduced serum ALT levels (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, compared with WT mice, the expression of the cholesterol absorption protein NPC1L1 in the intestinal villi of LSS+/- mice was downregulated under both CHOW and HFD conditions (PHFD<0.001). Conversely, the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 was upregulated in the intestines of LSS+/- mice (PCHOW<0.05, PHFD<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated that, compared with WT mice, TLR4 protein expression in the intestines of LSS+/- mice significantly increased under both CHOW and HFD conditions (both P<0.05). JNK phosphorylation level was significantly elevated in LSS+/- mice under CHOW condition (both P<0.05). Under HFD condition, total JNK protein expression increased, but its phosphorylation level showed no significant change. qPCR analysis showed that, compared with WT mice, the mRNA levels of TLR4 (PCHOW<0.01, PHFD<0.000 1) and IL-6 (PCHOW<0.001, PHFD<0.01) were significantly upregulated in the intestines of LSS+/-mice. ConclusionLSS deficiency counteracts hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a synergistic reprogramming involving restricted intestinal cholesterol absorption, enhanced fatty acid utilization, and activation of immune pathways, suggesting intestinal LSS as a potential therapeutic target of MASLD.
2.Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet
Haiyang ZHU ; Jingshu CUI ; Liu YANG ; Mengting ZHOU ; Jian TONG ; Hongmei HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):254-262
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in the liver, the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group [choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet], normal+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CSAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], model group [choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA) diet], and model+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CDAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured, liver histopathology was observed, and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in liver tissue, and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison; the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT (P=0.019 and P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue (P=0.025). The 1,25(OH)2D3 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT (P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.001), the level of IL-1β (P<0.001) and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.017), the level of IL-10 (P=0.039), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001), the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.016). There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1,25(OH)2D3 in serum the levels of AST and ALT (P=0.007 and P=0.008), the SAF scores of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.008), the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages (P=0.005), the level of TNF-α (P<0.001), the level of IL-10 (P=0.038), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001) and the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.009). The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (r=-0.415, P=0.044) and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages (r=0.435, P=0.033), IL-10 (r=0.433, P=0.035), and IL-4 (r=0.532, P=0.007). ConclusionThis study shows that 1,25(OH)2D3 improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.
3.Cross - border joint prevention and control of tropical diseases in countries along the “Belt and Road” Initiative: a framework and roadmap
Yingjun QIAN ; Wei DING ; Hongmei LI ; Duoquan WANG ; Shan LÜ ; Shizhu LI ; Xiaonong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):8-13
Recently, there has been an increasing risk of importation of tropical diseases into China and the resultant re-transmission in the country with the in-depth implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, which poses a serious threat to the national public health security. To effectively respond to the cross-border transmission risk of tropical diseases and facilitate the process towards tropical disease control and elimination in China and the countries along the “Belt and Road” Initiative, this article analyzes the current status and governance risks of major imported tropical diseases, cross-border joint prevention and control polices implemented for tropical diseases and challenges in the establishment of the joint prevention and control system for tropical diseases in China, and discusses the establishment and implementation path of the joint prevention and control system for tropical diseases in countries along the “Belt and Road” Initiative. This path covers the establishment of cross-border cooperation mechanisms, research and development and pilot production of Chinese public health products, and implementation of key cross-border tropical disease prevention and control projects. The establishment of this system will further improve Chinese prevention and control capabilities for key cross-border tropical diseases, build a demonstrative prevention and control model for tropical diseases, and promote international technical exchanges and cooperation of tropical diseases.
4.Systematic review on medication risk prediction models for hospitalized adult patients
Yang YANG ; Xuefeng SHAN ; Haidong LI ; Yaozheng LI ; Qiwen ZHOU ; Hongmei WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1254-1259
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate medication risk prediction models for hospitalized adult patients and provide references for their development and clinical application. METHODS Databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang data, VIP and CBM were searched for studies on medication risk prediction models from their inception to May 2024. After screening the literature, extracting data, and evaluating the quality of the literature, descriptive analysis was performed on the results of the included studies. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included, involving 12 models. Nine studies used Logistic regression algorithm for modeling, and the number of included predictive factors ranged from 3 to 11; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.65 to 0.865. The literature quality evaluation results showed that 10 studies had high risk of bias; 10 studies had high applicability risk. A total of 31 predictive factors were extracted, including 15 items of basic patient information, 3 test indicators, and 5 items of medication information, and 8 others. CONCLUSIONS The existing medication risk prediction models for hospitalized adult inpatients are mainly Logistic regression algorithm, with predictive factors mainly focusing on basic indicators such as demographics. The overall prediction performance of the models needs to be improved, and the overall risk of bias is relatively high.
5.Role of CDH1 gene DNA methylation in autoimmune thyroiditis in population from different water-iodine regions
Baiming JIN ; Yanbo QI ; Fengge LOU ; Hong CHAO ; Xiaolei YANG ; Hongjie LI ; Zheng ZHOU ; Yao CHEN ; Hongmei SHEN ; Siyuan WAN
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(6):431-438
Objective:To study the role of cadherin 1 (CDH1) gene DNA methylation in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in population from different water-iodine regions.Methods:From May to June 2019, the information of AIT cases and healthy individuals in Shandong Province were collected in three types of water-iodine regions: iodine-fortification (IF) region, iodine-adequate (IA) region and iodine-excess (IE) region. A case-control study design was applied to match 176 AIT cases (case group) with age, gender, body mass index, and place of residence in a 1 ∶ 1 ratio to 176 healthy individuals (control group). Fasting urine and whole blood samples were collected to test the contents of urinary iodine, thyroid function indicators [serum free triiodothyronine (FT 3), free thyroxine (FT 4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)], and serum iodine. The DNA methylation levels of the target region of the CDH1 gene and its four CpG sites in whole blood were determined using methylation sequencing technology for target regions (MethylTarget TM). Results:The DNA methylation level of the target region of CDH1 gene in the case group was 0.832 ± 0.044, and that in the control group was 0.828 ± 0.049, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( t = 0.76, P = 0.448). There was no statistically significant difference in DNA methylation levels of the four CpG sites in the target region of CDH1 gene between the case group and the control group ( P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the DNA methylation level of the CDH1 gene target region between the case group and the control group in IF, IA and IE regions ( P > 0.05). The detection results of DNA methylation levels at CpG sites in the target region of CDH1 gene in different water iodine regions showed that the DNA methylation level at site 83 in case group in IF region was higher than that in the control group ( t = 2.30, P = 0.023). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the DNA methylation levels of the four CpG sites between the case group and the control group in IA and IE regions ( P > 0.05). The DNA methylation level of CDH1 gene target region in AIT patients was not significantly correlated with urinary iodine, serum iodine, and serum FT 3, FT 4, and TSH contents ( P > 0.05), but was significantly negatively correlated with age ( r =-0.19, P = 0.014). Conclusions:The DNA methylation level at CpG site 83 of CDH1 gene in AIT patients in IF region is significantly higher than that in control population, indicating that DNA methylation at this locus may be involved in the occurrence and development of AIT after iodine fortification. The DNA methylation level of CDH1 gene is negatively correlated with age.
6.Correlation between lifestyle and cognitive decline in rural people aged 40 years and older in Xi'an:a 4-year prospective cohort study
Rong ZHOU ; Yu ZHANG ; Hongmei CAO ; Suhang SHANG ; Liangjun DANG ; Shan WEI ; Jingyi WANG ; Qiumin QU ; Yan QU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):775-782
Objective To investigate the effect of lifestyle on cognitive decline in rural people aged 40 years and older in Xi'an.Methods This was a prospective cohort study.People aged 40 years and older in two villages in Huyi District were selected as the study population.They completed the baseline survey from October 2014 to March 2015 as well as two follow-up visits in 2016 and 2018,respectively.A comprehensive score of lifestyle was calculated based on factors including smoking,drinking,exercise,and diet collected at the baseline.The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was used to evaluate global cognitive function at both baseline and follow-up;a≥4-point decrease in MMSE score from the baseline was defined as marked cognitive decline.Multivariable Logistic regression,propensity score correction,and propensity score matching were used to investigate the relationship between lifestyle and cognitive decline.Results A total of 1 348 participants were ultimately enrolled and 56(4.2%)of them met the criteria for marked cognitive decline(△MMSE≥4-points).Among them,386(28.6%)people had smoking history,184(13.6%)were drinkers,214(15.9%)lacked physical activity,and 400(29.7%)ate a diet high in oil and salt.Generally,304(22.6%)met the definition of the unhealthy lifestyle(comprehensive score<6),which means more than one of the four subscales was unhealthy or more than two were relatively unhealthy.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that unhealthy lifestyle was positively associated with marked cognitive decline(OR=2.838,95%CI:1.302-5.525,P=0.005).Propensity-score adjusted model yielded very similar results(OR=2.786,95%CI:1.371-5.661,P=0.005).Propensity score matching was performed to further balance the differences in covariates between the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis conducted in the matched population revealed that the risk of marked cognitive decline was still higher in those with unhealthy lifestyle(OR=3.994,95%CI:1.582-12.176,P=0.006).Conclusion Unhealthy lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline in cognitively normal people aged 40 years and older.
7.Deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel promotes the repair of burned skin
Jianwei ZHAO ; Xunsheng LI ; Jinpeng LYU ; Jue ZHOU ; Yidi JIANG ; Zhigang YUE ; Hongmei SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(34):7344-7352
BACKGROUND:The study of deer antler stem cells and exosomes to promote the repair of acute skin injuries has received increasing attention in recent years,but the effect and mechanism of exosomes composite hydrogel to promote the repair of burn wounds are still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel on the healing speed and quality of rat deep third-degree burn wound and its mechanism of action.METHODS:Deer antler stem cell exosomes and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosomes were extracted and compounded with Pluronic F-127 to prepare a temperature-sensitive hydrogel.A constant temperature and pressure burn apparatus was used to prepare a rat model of deep third-degree burn.The drug was administered to four groups:deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel group,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosome composite hydrogel group,human epidermal growth factor gel group,and the control group.The healing of burned rats was observed and the wound healing rate was calculated.At 28 days after burn,hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the generation of skin accessory structures in the healing tissues.Masson staining was used to analyze the accumulation of collagen in the healing tissues.Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the angiogenesis and nflammatory response in the healing tissues.qRT-PCR was used to examine the expression level of mRNA of the wound healing-related genes in the healing tissues.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel can significantly promote the healing rate of deep burn wounds in rats,and improve the quality of wound healing by promoting the regeneration of skin collateral structures,increasing the dermal thickness and enhancing the accumulation of collagen.(2)The number of myofibroblasts in the wound healing tissues of deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel group was significantly reduced,and the number of neovascularization and M2 macrophages was significantly increased.(3)The mRNA levels of transforming growth factor β3 and type Ⅲ collagen in the wound healing tissue of deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel group were significantly higher than those of the blank group,and the mRNA levels of transforming growth factor β1,matrix metalloproteinase 3,and type Ⅰ collagen were significantly lower than those of the blank group,and there was no significant difference between the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosome composite hydrogel group and the human epidermal growth factor gel group.In conclusion,deer antler stem cell exosome composite hydrogel can promote the healing speed and the quality of healing of deep burned wounds in rats,which may be achieved by inhibiting fibroblastogenesis,promoting angiogenesis,macrophage M2 polarization,and regulating the expression of genes for collagen production/degradation.
8.Exploration on the Effects of Shengxian Huaxian Prescription on Pulmonary Fibrosis with Regulating the Polarization of M2 Type Macrophages Based on STAT6/PPAR-γ Pathway
Hong YANG ; Shixin ZHOU ; Hongmei LI ; Yanlin WU ; Xiping LIU ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Xuhui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(1):113-119
Objective To observe the synergistic effect of Shengxian Huaxian Prescription and its disassembled prescription on pulmonary fibrosis;To explore whether its mechanism is related to regulating the STAT6/PPAR-y pathway to promote polarization of M2 type macrophages towards M1 type.Methods Ten SD rats were randomly selected from 70 rats as blank group,and the remaining rats were re-established pulmonary fibrosis model by intratracheal infusion of bleomycin.After modeling,the rats were divided into model group,positive group,Shengxian Huaxian Prescription group,Shengxian group,Tongluo group and Bushen group,with 10 rats in each group.Shengxian Huaxian Prescription group,Shengxian group,Tongluo group and Bushen group were given 12.60,7.65,3.60 and 2.25 g/kg of corresponding TCM solution,respectively;the positive group was given 0.12 g/kg of pirfenidone suspension;the blank group and the model group were given equal volume of normal saline,once a day,for consecutive 28 days.The lung function of rats was detected,the contents of IL-6 and TGF-β1 in serum were detected by ELISA,the pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by Masson staining,the expression of CD68,iNOS and CD206,Arg-1 in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence,the expression of SOCS1,SOCS3,STAT6,p-STAT6 and PPAR-γ in lung tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the PEF,PIF and EF50 in model group rats significantly decreased,and the contents of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 significantly increased,Masson staining showed a large amount of collagen fiber deposition,Ashcroft score significantly increased,CD206,Arg-1,STAT6,p-STAT6,PPAR-y protein expression significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3 protein significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expression of CD68 and iNOS were not significantly changed(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the PEF,PIF and EF50 in all administration groups significantly increased,and the contents of serum IL-6 and TGF-β1 significantly decreased,collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue were decreased to varying degree,Ashcroft score significantly decreased,the expression of CD206,Arg-1,STAT6,p-STAT6 and PPAR-γ protein significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of CD68,iNOS,SOCS1 and SOCS3 protein significantly increased(P<0.05).The above indicators showed the most significant changes in Shengxian Huaxian Prescription group,followed by Shengxian group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Both Shengxian Huaxian Prescription and its disassembled prescription have anti pulmonary fibrosis effects,and their mechanism may related to regulating the STAT6/PPAR-y pathway and promoting polarization of M2 type macrophages towards M1 type.Shengxian Huaxian Prescription group has the best effect,while Shengxian group play an important role in the prescription,and the compatibility between each group has a synergistic effect.
9.Hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplantation from the same donor in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and literature review
Yan YIN ; Zilin QUAN ; Li SONG ; Zhonglin FENG ; Dongmei CUI ; Liyan ZHAO ; Yuhang HU ; Qinghua ZHOU ; Xiaoli KANG ; Junjie LIAO ; Qizhen LIANG ; Suijin WU ; Hongmei WU ; Shuangxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(9):691-695
The paper reports a 32-year-old female acute myeloid leukemia patient who developed graft-versus-host disease after paternal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which subsequently led to renal thrombotic microangiopathy. She subsequently required a kidney transplant from the same donor 5 years later due to renal failure. Considering that both the bone marrow and kidney were from the same donor and the recovery of renal function was favorable, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued after a short course of anti-rejection treatment, with maintained stable kidney function. This case suggests that under the condition of high chimerism, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and kidney transplantation from the same donor can achieve immune tolerance, potentially improving solid organ transplantation success rate. The findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for solid organ transplantation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
10.Molecular epidemiological characteristics and risk factors analysis of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales intestines colonization of neonates in Shenzhen region
Hongmei YANG ; Ke CAO ; Zhile XIONG ; Xiaochun LIU ; Kaiyue YANG ; Yunxing HE ; Shaoxiang LIN ; Jiahe ZOU ; Shuyan LIU ; Tongyan DING ; Lingfan YIN ; Zhixiang LI ; Chaohui DUAN ; Zhenwen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(7):1022-1030
Objective:To study the risk factors and the molecular epidemiology characteristics for Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE) colonization in neonatal inpatients in Shenzhen region, China, which provide reference for the prevention and control of clinical CRE infection.Methods:This study is a prospective case-control study.Anal samples from inpatients between January 2023 and December 2023 at Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College and Shenzhen Children's Hospital were collected for screening CRE strain. Drug susceptibility test, modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method (mCIM) test, drug resistance-related gene sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for isolated CRE strains.Meanwhile, the clinical data were collected for analyzing the risk factors of CRE intestinal colonization by multivariate regression analysis.Results:A total of 1 517 patients were screened, 26 CRE(1.7%, 26/1 517) were identified which including 14 Escherichia coli(53.8%, 14/26), 11 Klebsiella pneumoniae(42.3%, 11/26), 1 Enterobacter cloacae(3.9%, 1/26). The predominant carbapenemase gene was New Delhi Metallo(NDM) (92.4%, 24/26), followed by Imipenem (IMP) (3.8%, 1/26) and Guiana extended spectrum gene (GES) (3.8%, 1/26).Among the carried NDM resistance genes, New Delhi Metallo 5 (NDM5) was the main one, accounting for 84.6% (22/26).The MLST typing of Escherichia coli was mainly Sequence Type 48 (ST48) (6/14), while that of Klebsiella pneumoniae was mainly Sequence Type 35 (ST35) (10/11). All CRE isolates were resistant to penicillin, penicillinase inhibitors, cephalosporins, ertapenem and imipenem.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli to amikacin, levofloxacin was 1/14, 4/14, respectively. All isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were sensitive to amikacin, and the resistance rate to levofloxacin is 1/11. Risk factors for CRE colonization include the older age, length of hospital stay, tracheal intubation, invasive respiration, lumbar puncture, Apgar <7 score, and exposure to antibiotics.Conclusions:NDM5 is the predominant resistant gene in CRE isolated from neonatal patients feces in Shenzhen region.It is necessary to strengthen the screening of CRE colonization in neonate for prevention and control of CRE infection.

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