1.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
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.
2.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
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.
3.Dimethyl fumarate alleviates DEHP-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in maternal rats during pregnancy through NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway
Yue Jiang ; Yun Yu ; Lun Zhang ; Qianqian Huang ; Wenkang Tao ; Mengzhen Hou ; Fang Xie ; Xutao Ling ; Jianqing Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):117-123
Objective :
To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate(DMF) on maternal intrahepatic cholestasis(ICP) during pregnancy induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) exposure and its mechanism.
Methods :
Thirty-two 8-week-old female institute of cancer research(ICR) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ctrl group, DEHP group, DMF group and DEHP+DMF group. DEHP and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DEHP(200 mg/kg) by gavage every morning at 9:00 a.m. DMF and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DMF(150 mg/kg) from day 13 to day 16 of gestation by gavage. After completion of gavage on day 16 of pregnancy, maternal blood, maternal liver, placenta, and amniotic fluid were collected from pregnant mice after a six-hour abrosia. The body weight of the mother rats and the body weight of the fetus rats were sorted and analyzed; the levels of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase(AST/ALT) in serum and TBA in liver, amniotic fluid and placenta were detected by biochemical analyzer; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) in the liver; Western blot was used to detect the expression of the nuclear factor KappaB(NF-κB) and NLRP3.
Results :
Compared with the control group, the body weight of the DEHP-treated dams and pups decreased(P<0.05); the levels of TBA, ALP, AST/ALT in the serum of dams and the levels of TBA in the liver, amniotic fluid, and placenta of dams increased(P<0.05); the histopathological results showed that liver tissue was damaged, bile ducts were deformed, and there was inflammatory cell infiltration around them; the levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NLRP3 transcription in maternal liver increased(P<0.05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the DEHP group,the body weight of both dams and fetuses significantly increased in DEHP + DMF group( P<0. 05); the levels of TBA,ALP,AST/ALT in the serum of dams and amniotic fluid of fetuses decreased( P<0. 05); the degree of liver lesions was improved; the transcription levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1,IL-18 and NLRP3 in maternal liver decreased( P<0. 05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly decreased( P<0. 05).
Conclusion
DMF can effectively protect the DEHP exposure to lead to female ICP,and its mechanism may be through inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and reducing liver inflammation.
4.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
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.
5.A Randomized Controlled,Double-Blind Study on Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方) in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Blood-Heat Syndrome
Xuewen REN ; Yutong DENG ; Huishang FENG ; Bo HU ; Jianqing WANG ; Zhan CHEN ; Xiaodong LIU ; Xinhui YU ; Yuanwen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1679-1686
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.
6.Analysis of influential factors and the construction of a risk prediction model for tigecycline-related drug-induced cholestatic liver disease
Lina LIU ; Jianqing WANG ; Lun ZHANG ; Jun YU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(20):2555-2560
OBJECTIVE To analyze the influential factors of drug-induced cholestatic liver disease (DIC) related to tigecycline (TGC), and establish a prediction model for the risk of this adverse reaction. METHODS Data of 707 hospitalized patients who received TGC treatment in our hospital from August 2022 to August 2024 were collected and randomly divided into training set (n=566) and test set (n=141) at a ratio of 8∶2. Prediction variables were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC, and a nomogram prediction model was drawn based on the above factors. The prediction performance of the model was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and its area under the curve (AUC). The accuracy of the model was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curves. The clinical net benefit of the prediction model were evaluated by decision curve analysis. RESULTS Among the 707 patients, 93 patients developed DIC, with an incidence rate of 13.15%. Gender, age, high-dose administration of TGC, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, duration of medication of TGC, and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole were independent risk factors for the occurrence of TGC-related DIC (P<0.05). The AUC of the training set model was 0.745 (95%CI: 0.687-0.801), with a sensitivity of 76.6% and a specificity of 60.3%. The AUC of ROC curve of the test set model was 0.762 (95%CI: 0.650-0.900), with a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 72.0%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test for the training set, the χ 2 value was 5.187 and P was 0.737; and for the test set, the χ 2 value was 9.980 and P was 0.266. The mean absolute error of the calibration curve for the training set was 0.012, and for the test set, it was 0.038. The risk threshold range for the training set was 4%-45%, and for the test set, it was 4%-28%. CONCLUSIONS Age, gender, high-dose administration of TGC, ICU admission, duration of medication of TGC, and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole are independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC. The established TGC-related DIC risk prediction model has good prediction performance and accuracy.
7.Patterns and Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Theory of ''Supporting Healthy Qi and Eliminating Pathogens''
Pengfei ZHANG ; Huijuan ZHANG ; Jianqing LIANG ; Jinhua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):228-237
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the most common subtype of lung cancer, has a high incidence and mortality rate among global cancer cases. Although modern medicine has made remarkable progress in the treatment of NSCLC with advances in screening technologies and continuous optimization of therapeutic regimens, current treatments inevitably result in adverse outcomes such as high tumor recurrence rates, significant toxic side effects, and poor quality of life for patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds that the core pathogenesis of lung cancer lies in ''deficiency of healthy Qi and excess of pathogenic factors''. It originates from congenital insufficiency or acquired malnourishment, leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang, deficiency of healthy Qi, and inability to eliminate pathogenic factors. The interactions among Qi stagnation, phlegm accumulation, blood stasis, and toxins give rise to disease. The root is deficiency, while the manifestation is excess. Therefore, the treatment of lung cancer in TCM is generally guided by the principle of "supporting the healthy Qi and eliminating the pathogens". A large number of clinical and pharmacological studies have shown that TCM and its active components can, through multiple targets and mechanisms, alleviate postoperative and chemoradiotherapy-related adverse reactions, inhibit tumor growth and recurrence, and improve the quality of life of patients with NSCLC. It is worth noting that although extensive studies have been conducted on the therapeutic patterns and pharmacological mechanisms of TCM and its active substances in NSCLC treatment, issues such as the diversity of medicinal materials, the complexity of chemical components, the scientific basis of herbal compatibility, and the flexibility of dosage indicate that there is still considerable room for further clinical and basic research. This review summarizes recent literature on the clinical syndromes, drug selection, medication patterns, and pharmacological mechanisms of TCM and its active components in the treatment of NSCLC, aiming to provide guidance for clinical medication in TCM therapy for NSCLC and to deepen the understanding and research of its therapeutic mechanisms.
8.Effect of honey on bowel preparation before colonoscopy
Jie PAN ; Shaoli GE ; Yao WANG ; Zhonghua LIN ; Yujiao LIN ; Ningning MAO ; Rongrong HAN ; Jianqing SUI
China Journal of Endoscopy 2024;30(9):33-40
Objective To explore the clinical effect of honey in preoperative bowel preparation for colonoscopy in hospitalized patients.Methods 87 patients from April 2022 to July 2022 and underwent preoperative bowel preparation for colonoscopy were selected as the research subjects.Convenience sampling was used to divide them into a control group(n=43)and an observation group(n=44).The control group received a conventional regimen of taking compound polyethylene glycol(PEG)electrolyte powder(Heshuang),while the observation group added 20 mL of honey to the Heshuang solution.Compare the cleanliness of intestine,and palatability of the taste,the incidence of adverse reactions,satisfaction of patients,and the rate of willingness for prepeat bowel preparation between the two groups.Results The intestinal cleanliness of the two groups of patients was equivalent,the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The incidence and severity of nausea,abdominal bloating,hypoglycemia,and anal irritation in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The observation group had better taste,patients satisfaction,and the willingness for prepeat bowel preparation compared to the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Honey can improve the taste of Heshuang,reduce the severity of oral adverse reactions,increase patient satisfaction,and increase the rate of willingness for prepeat bowel preparation.
9.The progress in classification and prognosis evaluation of BCR::ABL1 positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Yuchen YAN ; Cheng WANG ; Jianqing MI ; Jin WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(7):705-710
The application of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and targeted immunotherapy has revolutionized the therapeutic strategies and clinical outcome for BCR::ABL1-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCR::ABL1 + B-ALL). The classification was updated successively by the World Health Organization and the International Consensus Classification in 2022. The risk stratification of this entity, for the first time, was modified by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in 2023, both minimal residual disease assessment and IKZF1 plus genotyping recognized as critical prognostic factors. These important updates would have significant implications for clinical management. Therefore, this review focused on the latest advances in the classification and prognostic evaluation of BCR::ABL1 + B-ALL.
10.First-line bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in Chinese patients with stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer: a phase III randomized controlled trial
Xiaohua WU ; Jihong LIU ; Ruifang AN ; Rutie YIN ; Yu ZHANG ; Huaijun ZHOU ; Aiqin HE ; Li WANG ; Jieqing ZHANG ; Ziling LIU ; Wei DUAN ; Jianqing ZHU ; Ge LOU ; Guilin CHEN ; Ying CHENG ; Fengxia XUE ; Sonja NICK ; Haiyan WANG ; Donghang LI
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2024;35(5):e99-
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.


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