Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the antitumor effect and mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment on Lewis lung cancer mice based on the extracellular regulatory protein kinase （ERK） signaling pathway. MethodsA Lewis lung cancer mouse model was established. Except for the blank group， the model mice were randomly divided into the model group， Guiqi Yiyuan ointment low， medium， and high dose groups， and the extracellular ERK1/2 inhibitor group， with 10 mice per group. The Guiqi Yiyuan ointment was administered by gavage at doses of 1.75， 3.5， 7.0 g·kg^-1·d^-1 for the low， medium， and high dose groups， respectively. The ERK1/2 inhibitor group was given the ERK1/2 inhibitor LY3214996 （100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage. The treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days， after which samples were collected. Tumor histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes in tumor cells. Immunofluorescence was performed to measure the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 （p-ERK1/2） and the expression of programmed cell death ligand-1 （PD-L1） in tumor tissues. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect the expression of p-ERK1/2， PD-L1， the autophagy marker Beclin-1， the autophagic protein p62， and the microtubule-associated protein light chains LC3Ⅰ and LC3Ⅱ at both the protein and gene levels. ResultsCompared with the model group， the average tumor weight was significantly reduced in the low and medium dose groups of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment （P<0.05）， and markedly reduced in the high dose and inhibitor groups （P<0.01）. Tumor cells in all treatment groups became progressively irregular， with ruptured nuclei and expanded areas of cell disintegration and necrosis. The number of organellar ablations in tumor tissues increased， and the number of autophagic vesicles also increased in all groups. The mean fluorescence intensity of p-ERK1/2 and PD-L1 was reduced in the low and medium dose groups of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment （P<0.05）， and significantly reduced in the high dose and inhibitor groups （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was reduced in the medium dose group （P<0.05）， while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA expression was elevated （P<0.05）. In the high dose and inhibitor groups， mRNA expression of ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Protein expression of p-ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was reduced in the medium dose group （P<0.05）， and LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein expression was elevated （P<0.05）. In the high dose and inhibitor groups， protein expression of p-ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein expression was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. ConclusionGuiqi Yiyuan ointment may inhibit the activation of the ERK signaling pathway， downregulate the expression of p-ERK1/2， promote autophagic flux in tumor cells， and regulate the expression of PD-L1， thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on tumor growth in Lewis lung cancer mice.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huaban Jiedu Formulation （化斑解毒方， HJF） in treating psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat syndrome. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled study was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group， with 30 cases in each. The treatment group received HJF granules orally， one dose a day， combined with topical Qingshi Zhiyang Ointment （青石止痒软膏）， while the control group received placebo granules， one dose a day， combined with the same topical ointment. Both groups were topically treated twice daily of 28 days treatment cours. Psoriasis area and severity index （PASI）， visual analogue scale for pruritus （VAS）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， dermatology life quality index （DLQI）， and psoriasis life stress inventory （PLSI） were assessed before treatment and on day 14 and day 28. Response rates for PASI 50 （≥50% reduction） and PASI 75 （≥75% reduction）， as well as overall clinical efficacy， were compared between groups. Serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-17 （IL-17） were measured before and after 28 days of treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. ResultsAfter 28 days of treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in PASI total score， lesion area score， erythema， scaling， and infiltration scores， pruritus VAS score， TCM syndrome score， DLQI， PLSI， and serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels （P＜0.05）. Compared to the control group， the treatment group had significantly greater improvements in PASI total score and erythema score， TCM syndrome score， serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels， and PASI 50 response rate after 28 days （P＜0.05）. Between-group comparisons of score differences before and after 28-day treatment revealed that the treatment group showed significantly better improvements in PASI total， lesion area score， erythema score， TCM syndrome score， DLQI， PLSI， and inflammatory markers （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The total effective rate on day 14 and day 28 was 40.00% （12/30） and 83.33% （25/30） in the treatment group， versus 6.90% （2/29） and 41.38% （12/29） in the control group， respectively. The clinical efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group （P＜0.05）. Mild gastric discomfort occurred in 3 patients in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. ConclusionHJF can effectively improve skin lesions and TCM symptoms relieve pruritus， enhance quality of life， and reduce inflammatory markers IL-6 and IL-17， in patients with blood-heat syndrome of psoriasis vulgaris， with a good safety profile.

Objective: First-line bevacizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) is approved for stage III/IV ovarian cancer treatment following initial surgical resection, based on global phase III GOG-0218 and ICON7 trials. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab + CP as first-line ovarian cancer therapy in Chinese patients. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer post-primary surgery were randomized 1:1 to receive 6 cycles of CP with bevacizumab/ placebo, followed by bevacizumab/placebo maintenance until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Stratification factors were FIGO stage and debulking status (stage III optimally debulked vs stage III suboptimally debulked vs stage IV) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 vs 1 or 2). Results: Of randomized patients, 51 received bevacizumab + CP and 49 received placebo + CP. Median PFS was 22.6 months with bevacizumab + CP (95% confidence interval [CI]=18.6, not estimable) and 12.3 months (95% CI=9.5, 15.0) with placebo + CP (stratified hazard ratio=0.30; 95% CI=0.17, 0.53). Treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 46 of 49 (94%) patients receiving bevacizumab + CP, and 34 of 50 (68%) receiving placebo + CP. Conclusion Bevacizumab + CP showed clinically meaningful improvement in PFS vs placebo + CP, consistent with GOG-0218 results. Safety data were aligned with the known bevacizumab safety profile. These results support first-line bevacizumab + CP therapy in Chinese patients with ovarian cancer.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin on Lewis lung cancer mice and its mechanism based on the lncRNA H19/miR-19b3p/FTH1 axis.Methods Totally 60 SPF grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly selected as blank group,and Lewis lung cancer mouse model was replicated in the remaining 50 mice.The modeled mice were randomly divided into model group,cisplatin group,and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage combined with cisplatin group,with 10 mice in each group.The cisplatin group was given intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 5 mg/kg,while the TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage combined with cisplatin group were given Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment 1.75,3.5,7.0 g/kg by gavage combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 5 mg/kg,the blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 14 consecutive days.The general condition of mice was observed,the tumor mass of mice was measured,and the tumor inhibition rate,spleen index,and thymus index were calculated,HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of tumor tissue,and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),reduced glutathione(GSH),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2),and ferrous ions(Fe2+)were detected in the tumor tissue,immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)protein in tumor tissue,real time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA H19 and miR-19b3p mRNA in tumor tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,spleen index and thymus index of mice in the model group were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mental state and tumor histopathological morphology of mice in each administration group were improved to different degrees,the tumor mass of mice was reduced(P<0.05),the spleen index and the thymus index of mice increased(P<0.05),tumor cell lysis,rupture,and decrease in quantity,the contents of MDA,H2O2,Fe2+in tumor tissue increased(P<0.05),while GSH content decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Nrf2,GPX4,FTH1,SLC7A11 protein in tumor tissue decreased(P<0.05),the lncRNA H19 mRNA expression decreased(P<0.05),miR-19b3p mRNA expression increased(P<0.05).Compared with the cisplatin group,the tumor mass of mice in TCM high-dosage combined with cisplatin group reduced(P<0.05),the body mass,spleen index and thymus index increased(P<0.05),the contents of MDA,H2O2,Fe2+in tumor tissue of mice increased(P<0.05),the content of GSH decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Nrf2,FTH1,SLC7A11,GPX4 protein expression decreased(P<0.05),lncRNA H19 mRNA expression decreased(P<0.05),miR-19b3p mRNA expression increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin can significantly inhibit the tumor of Lewis lung cancer mice,and its mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of ferroptosis molecules related to the lncRNA H19/miR-19b3p/FTH1 axis.

Objective To explore the targets and mechanism of Jiegengbai Powder in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma based on network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods The targets of effective components of Jiegengbai Powder were obtained from TCMSP,the targets of lung adenocarcinoma were screened from GeneCards,PharmGKB,DrugBank,TTD,OMIM databases,and the intersection targets were obtained.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and active components of Chinese materia medica-target network were constructed by using Cytoscape 3.8.0 software,and the key components and core targets were screened out.The intersection targets were analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.PyMOL and AutoDockTools 1.5.6 software were used to verify the molecular docking between the key components and core targets.The lung cancer mice model was established.The mice were randomly divided into blank group,model group,cisplatin group,Jiegengbai Powder combined with cisplatin group,Jiegengbai Powder low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.After 14 days of intervention,the tumor inhibition rate was calculated,and the morphology of tumor tissues was observed by HE staining.The gene and protein expressions of PI3K,PTEN,Akt and mTOR in tumor tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results The core targets of Jiegengbai Powder in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma such as TP53,CASP3,BCL2L1 and AKT1 were screened by network pharmacology.The key pathways of enrichment were PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and so on.Jiegengbai Powder can inhibit the growth of tumor effectively.Compared with the model group,the mRNA expressions of PI3K,Akt and mTOR decreased in the Jiegengbai Powder medium-and high-dosage groups,and PTEN mRNA expression increased,the ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR decreased,and the expression of PTEN protein increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Jiegengbai Powder has the characteristics of multi-level and multi-target in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.It may promote tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,so as to achieve the anti-tumor effect of inhibiting tumor cell growth.

Objective To observe the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin in Lewis lung cancer bearing mice based on AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway.Methods The mice were inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells to establish a subcutaneous tumor model in the right axillary subcutaneous area,and were randomly divided into blank group,model group,cisplatin group and Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment high-,medium-and low-dosage+cisplatin groups,with 10 mice in each group.The cisplatin group received intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg(once every 7 days)cisplatin,while the Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment high-,medium-and low-dosage+cisplatin groups received gavage of 7.0,3.5 and 1.75 g/kg Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment on the basis of cisplatin group,once a day,for 14 consecutive days.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of tumor tissue,immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein expression of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 in tumor tissue,transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the number of autophagosomes,RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of p62,Beclin-1,Atg5 and LC3 mRNA in tumor tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expression of Beclin-1,p62,Atg5,LC3 and AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway proteins in tumor tissue.Results Compared with the model group,the tumor mass of mice in all administration groups decreased significantly(P<0.05);the tumor tissue showed patchy necrotic areas and an increase in the number of autophagosomes,the mRNA expressions of Beclin-1,Atg5,and LC3 increased,the protein expressions of Beclin-1,Atg5,LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,AMPK,p-AMPK,ULK1 and p-ULK1 increased,and the expression of p62 mRNA and protein decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the cisplatin group,the tumor mass of mice in Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment high-,medium-dosage+cisplatin groups decreased(P<0.05),the tumor inhibition rate increased;the expressions of ULK1 protein and Atg5 mRNA in tumor tissue of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment high-,medium-and low-dosage+cisplatin groups significantly increased(P<0.05),the expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 mRNA in Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment high-,medium-dosage+cisplatin groups significantly increased(P<0.05),the expressions of Atg5,LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,AMPK,p-AMPK and p-ULK1 protein significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of p62 protein significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expression of p62 mRNA in Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment high-dosage+cisplatin group significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Beclin-1 protein significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin may activate autophagy and inhibit subcutaneous tumor growth in Lewis lung cancer bearing mice through the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide combined with aclacinomycin， granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and cytarabine （CAG） regimen in the treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia （AML）. METHODS CNKI， Wanfang data， VIP， Sino Med， PubMed， Embase， the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched comprehensively from the inception to Aug. 27th， 2023. Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） about thalidomide combined with CAG regimen （trial group） versus CAG regimen （control group） in the treatment of elderly AML patients were collected， and RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of included studies. RESULTS Finally， 7 RCTs were included， with a total of 601 patients， including 307 patients in the trial group and 294 patients in the control group. Meta-analysis results showed that the trial group was superior to the control group in enhancing the overall response rate [Z＝4.75， P＜0.000 01， OR＝2.80， 95%CI （1.83，4.28）]， complete remission rate [Z＝2.82， P＝0.005， OR＝1.61， 95%CI （1.16， 2.25）]， and improving platelet count [Z＝2.70， P＝0.007， MD＝64.02， 95%CI （17.53， 110.51）]， vascular endothelial growth factor [Z＝13.63，P＜0.000 01， MD＝－65.17， 95%CI（－74.54， －55.80）]， vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [Z＝12.03， P＜ 0.000 01， MD＝－499.01， 95%CI （－580.31， －417.71）] and basic fibroblast growth factor [Z＝4.17， P＜0.000 1，MD＝－0.23， 95%CI（－0.35， －0.12）]. And there was no statistical difference between the trial group and the control group in the incidence of adverse drug reaction [Z＝0.99， P＝0.32， OR＝0.52， 95%CI（0.14，1.89）]， nausea and vomiting [Z＝ 1.06， P＝0.29， OR＝0.66， 95%CI （0.30，1.43）]， constipation or diarrhea [Z＝0.92， P＝0.36， OR＝0.65， 95%CI（0.26， 1.63）]， drowsiness [Z＝1.38， P＝0.17， OR＝0.57， 95%CI（0.26， 1.27）] or myelosuppression [Z＝0.88，P＝0.38，OR＝0.68，95%CI（0.28， 1.62）]. CONCLUSIONS The combination of thalidomide and CAG regimen in the treatment of elderly AML patients can significantly improve clinical efficacy and has high safety.