1.Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo Prescription in Improving Renal Fibrosis in Rats with Chronic Kidney Disease Based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xincui BAO ; Baosheng ZHAO ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Jing YANG ; You WANG ; Lijia WU ; Yujin LI ; Ming GAO ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):100-108
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal fibrosis in rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=15) and a modeling group (n=55). Rats in the modeling group were administered a 2.5% adenine suspension at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 by gavage for 4 weeks to establish a CKD model. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an irbesartan group (20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1), and Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.82, 11.64, and 23.28 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively), with 10 rats in each group. Each group was administered an equal volume of physiological saline, the corresponding concentration of irbesartan, or Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription by gavage for 12 weeks. Body weight and renal function indices were dynamically monitored. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), 24-hour urinary total protein (24 hUTP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Renal histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and mTOR in renal tissues. Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and mTOR in renal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in renal tissues. ResultsCompared with the model group, rats in the irbesartan group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription groups showed significantly decreased levels of SCr, BUN, ACR, 24 hUTP, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01). AST levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), while no significant difference was observed in ALT levels. Histopathological examination revealed that, compared with the model group, renal tubular epithelial cell edema and necrosis and Bowman's capsule dilation were alleviated, inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced, and interstitial and glomerular fibrosis was markedly improved in all treatment groups, with the most pronounced effect observed in the high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription group. Real-time PCR results showed that mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were significantly downregulated in the high-dose group (P<0.01). IHC results demonstrated that PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in renal tissues were significantly decreased in the high-dose group (P<0.01). Western blot analysis further confirmed that the expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced in the high-dose group (P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal function indices in CKD rats, reduces collagen deposition in renal tissues, and decreases serum inflammatory factor levels. Its protective effect on renal function may be achieved by activating autophagy through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby alleviating renal fibrosis.
2.Ethical six principles for the welfare assurance of genetically modified pigs in xenotransplantation
Jing MA ; Lu LIU ; Yuying BAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):486-494
Genetically modified pigs for welfare assurance is crucial for conducting xenotransplantation. However, traditional experimental animal ethics principles cannot address the social benefits issues brought about by xenotransplantation, and there is a lack of ethical justification for the assurance of experimental animal welfare. Degrazia and Bechtel proposed six principles for the welfare of experimental animals: the principle of no alternative methods, the principle of expected net benefits, the principle of adequate defense of harm, the principle of no harm without necessity, the principle of basic needs and the principle of harm limit. This paper conducts an ethical-level argumentation on the six principles for the welfare of genetically modified pigs in xenotransplantation, and points out that these six principles are of great significance in closely integrating the social benefits of xenotransplantation with the welfare of genetically modified pigs, emphasizing the moral status of genetically modified pigs, and providing standards for the ethical review of the welfare of genetically modified pigs.
3.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
4.Clinical evaluation of daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and bortezomib and with daratu-mumab,bortezomib,and dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma
Yuchen ZHAO ; Manting XU ; Jing BAO ; Liang XIA
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(18):2913-2919
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the daratumumab-based regimens,including daratumumab,dexamethasone,and lenalidomide(DRd),as well as daratumumab,dexamethasone,and bortezomib(DVd),in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma(RRMM)at our center.Methods Eighty patients with RRMM were assigned to either the DRd group(42 cases)or the DVd group(38 cases)based on their treatment regimens.Both groups received a baseline treatment of daratumumab combined with dexamethasone(Dd regimen).In the DVd group,1.3 mg/m2 of bortezomib was administered subcutaneously on days 1,4,8,and 11 of each cycle,followed by a 10 day drug-free interval(days 12~21),repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression.In the DRd group,25 mg of lenalidomide was orally administered daily from day 1 to day 21 of each cycle,in addition to the Dd regimen,continuing until disease progression.The two groups were compared in terms of laboratory parameters,tumor markers,clinical efficacy,safety profiles,and long-term prognostic outcomes.Results After treatment,the overall response rate(ORR)of the DRd group and the DVd group was 78.57%(33 out of 42 cases)and 52.63%(20 out of 38 cases),respectively.The serum creatinine(SCr)levels were(92.54±14.33)and(102.07±15.41)μmol/L,respectively;the M protein contents were(19.62±2.04)and(21.08±2.23)g/L,respectively;the β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)levels were(3.49±1.12)and(4.16±1.25)mg/L,respectively;and the progression-free survival rates were 42.86%(18 out of 42 cases)and 26.32%(10 out of 38 cases),respectively.All these indicators showed statistically significant differences between the DRd group and the DVd group(all P<0.05).The incidence rates of adverse reactions in the observation group and the control group were 14.29%(6 out of 42 cases)and 13.16%(5 out of 38 cases),respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion The DRd regimen demonstrates superior efficacy compared to the DVd regimen in treating patients with RRMM,leading to improved patient prognosis with a favorable safety profile.
5.Impact of Auditory Integration Training Combined with ABA Rehabilitation Training on the Rehabilitation Effect and Social Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Jing BAO ; Hu CHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Ya-xin CHEN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2540-2547
Objective:To investigate the effects of auditory integration training combined with applied behavior analysis(ABA)rehabilitation training on the rehabilitation effect and social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD).Methods:This study was a prospective randomized controlled study,60 children with ASD admitted to Tongren Rehabilitation Hospital from June 2023 to June 2024 were selected as the research subjects,and divided into control group(n=30)and treatment group(n=30)according to the random double chromosphere method.The control group received ABA rehabilitation training,The treatment group received auditory integration training on the basis of the control group,Both groups were treated for 6 months.The improvement of clinical symptoms,Sensory Integration Function Scale(SIFS),Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised(RBS-R)between two groups before and after treatment and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)score for parents caring for the sick child were compared between two groups.Results:The sensation,communication,physical movement,language,self-care,and total score of the treatment group were all lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The language,social skills,sensory perception,behavior and overall score of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The RBS-R and SAS scores of the child's foster parents in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,while the SIFS score was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of auditory integration training and ABA rehabilitation training can improve the rehabilitation effect of children with ASD,improve their social skills,sensory integration ability,and symptoms of repetitive stereotyped behavior,Relieve the anxiety of parents caring for sick children.
6.Survey of genetic diversity of select tick species in Inner Mongolia
Meng-yu CUI ; Si SU ; Lan MU ; Rui-juan GAO ; Qi-qi GUO ; Hong REN ; Li-li BAO ; Jing-feng YU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):171-177
The aim of this study was to understand the internal genetic diversity and population history dynamics of ticks in Inner Mongolia,to provide data for designing effective vector control programs and revealing ticks'transmission mechanisms.From 2022 to 2023,the manual collection method was used to collect samples in Inner Mongolia.The 16S rDNA and COI gene sequences of ticks were used to identify Hyalomma marginatum,Haemaphysalis concinna,and Argas persicus,and analyze the sequence characteristics and genetic diversity within the populations.Base composition analysis indicated that the average A+T content of the 16S rDNA gene and CO I gene in the three ticks was significantly higher than that of C+G.Moreover,22 haplotypes of the COI gene and 12 haplotypes of the 16S rDNA sequence were identified in Hyalomma marginatum.Eleven haplotypes were identified according to the COI gene,and nine haplotypes were identified according to the16S rDNA sequence of Haemaphysalis concinna.Two haplotypes were identified on the basis of the COI gene,and six haplotypes were identified on the basis of the 16S rDNA sequence of Ar gas persicus.The minimum 16S rDNA haplotype diversity was 0.264 for Ar gas persicus and 0.579 for the other two species.The nucleotide diversity of the three tick species was less than 0.05.Tajima's val-ue and Fu's Fs value of the neutrality test were negative.Base saturation substitution analysis indicated that neither of the two genes in the three tick species reached saturation.The phylogenetic tree revealed that Hyalomma marginatum,Haema physalis concinna,and Ar gas persicus in Inner Mongolia independently aggregated into branches.In conclusion,the base content of Hyalomma marginatum,Haemaphysalis concinna,and Argas persicus genes in Inner Mongolia was consist-ent with the characteristics of insect mitochondrial DNA content.Furthermore,the three tick populations showed rapid evolu-tionary population expansion,and the phylogeny of three tick species showed independent aggregation into clades,with no pop-ulation isolation.
7.Comparison of differences in dosimetry and treatment efficiency of modified radiotherapy plans after left-sided breast-conserving surgery
Jian-hai LIN ; Jing FENG ; Zhong-hua CHEN ; Zhi-chao FU ; Jie CHEN ; Nan-bao ZHONG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(4):45-51
Objective To compare the differences in dosimetry and treatment efficiency of three radiotherapy plans after left-sided breast-conserving surgery,including modified intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT),cross-field volume-modulated arc therapy(VMAT)or improved VMAT,so as to provide references for clinical practice.Methods Three radiotherapy plans of modified IMRT,cross-field VMAT and improved VMAT were designed for 12 patients after left-sided-breast-conserving surgery.The modified IMRT with five irradiation fields and the improved VMAT with two arcs were modified by not setting cross-fields while determining the start and end angles with the rays passing through the least lung area.The cross-field VMAT had its start and end angles set based on the cross-fields.The doses to the target areas,peripheral organs at risk,heart and its substructures were evaluated,and dose verification was carried out.The three plans were compared in terms of treatment efficiency and gamma pass rate.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results All the three plans behaved well in dose distribution.In terms of planning gross tumor volume dosimetry dosimetry,the improved VMAT and modified IMRT gained advantages than others in CI and D50,respectively,with the differences being significant(all P<0.05).In terms of planning target volume dosimetry,the modified IMRT had the V107 and D50 lower than those of the others,with the differences being significant(P<0.05).In terms of the protection of peripheral organs at risk,V5 of the left lung,Dmean of the right lung and Dmean of the healthy breast were lower in the modified IMRT plan than in the other 2 plans,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);V20,V30,V35 and V40 of the left lung were lower in the modified VMAT plan than in the other 2 plans,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).In terms of protection of heart and its substructures,the left ventricle V20,V30 and Dmean of the improved VMAT plan behaved better than those of other 2 plans,and the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05).In terms of treatment efficiency,the cross-field VMAT plan had the lowest MU while highest treatment efficiency;the improved VMAT plan had the MU higher while the treatment efficiency lower than the cross-field VMAT plan;the modified IMRT plan had the highest MU while the lowest gamma pass rate,and the differences in the MUs and gamma pass rates among the three plans were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Under the same standard conditions,the cross-field VMAT and improved VMAT plans show technical advantages.Though the improved VMAT plan has the treatment efficiency lower than the cross-field VMAT,it decreases the possibility of radiocardiac injury in terms of dosimetry and thus can be used for radiotherapy after left-sided breast-conserving surgery.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):45-51]
8.The relationship between NLRC4-mediated inflammasome pathway and multiple myeloma and its therapeutic prospect
Tingting XU ; Wanjie WANG ; Jing BAO ; Ruixiang XIA
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(4):501-508
AIM:To explore the mechanism of ac-tion and clinical significance of NLRC4 in multiple myeloma by analyzing the relative expression and clinical significance of NLRC4 mRNA in bone mar-row fluid of patients with multiple myeloma(MM),so as to guide the formulation of disease treatment and the evaluation of clinical prognosis.METHODS:MMRF database and GTEx database were used to compare the expression and survival correlation of inflammatory bodies between myeloma patients and normal controls.Real-time fluorescent quanti-tative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was used to detect the expression of inflammatory bodies in bone marrow fluid of 26 newly diagnosed myeloma patients and 19 post-treatment myeloma patients and peripheral blood of 28 normal volunteers ad-mitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medi-cal University from January to September 2023.The mRNA expression differences of each inflammatory body and the correlation between NLRC4 inflamma-tory body expression and clinicopathologic fea-tures,inflammatory factor/chemokine expression of newly diagnosed patients were analyzed.RE-SULTS:Compared with the control group and the treatment group,the expression of inflammasome mRNA in the newly diagnosed group was increased except for NLRP3,and the expression of NLRC4 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.01).The he-moglobin count,creatinine level and calcium ion level were linearly correlated with NLRC4 mRNA ex-pression level in newly diagnosed patients(P<0.05).The mRNA expression levels of IL-18,CCL-3 and NL-RC4 in newly diagnosed patients were linearly cor-related(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:NLRC4 inflammato-somes are highly expressed in MM,and promote the occurrence and development of tumor by pro-moting the production and release of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines IL-18 and CCL-3,which is of great significance for the formulation of treatment plan and clinical prognosis evaluation of multiple myeloma.
9.Protein kinase D inhibitor CRT0066101 suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote apoptosis and autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Hao-hua DENG ; Bao-yuan TANG ; Bei XIE ; Lin-jing LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2297-2305
Aim To investigate the inhibitory effect of the protein kinase D(PKD)-specific inhibitor CRT0066101 on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and its underlying molecular mechanisms,providing new theoretical insights and therapeutic strategies for targe-ted HCC treatment.Methods HCC cell lines were treated with varying concentrations of CRT0066101.The inhibitory effects on cell proliferation were assessed using the CCK-8 assay,colony formation assay,and EdU staining.The impact on cell migration and inva-sion was evaluated through wound-healing assays and Transwell migration and invasion assays.was employed toThe effects of CRT0066101 on the phosphorylation levels of PKD and key proteins in the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were analyzed using Western blot.Additionally,the drug's regulatory effects on apoptosis and autophagy in HCC cells were examined using Western blot,flow cytometry,and the mRFP-GFP-LC3 dual-fluorescence reporter system.Results CRT0066101 significantly inhibited the pro-liferation,migration and invasion of HCC cells.West-ern blotting results demonstrated that CRT0066101 dose-dependently suppressed the phosphorylation of PKD family proteins and downregulated the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Furthermore,CRT0066101 treatment upregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax while downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.It also markedly increased the expression levels of autophagy marker proteins Bec-lin-1 and LC3B-Ⅱ,suggesting that the drug simulta-neously induced apoptosis and autophagy in HCC cells.Conclusions CRT0066101 specifically inhibits PKD activity,blocks the PI3K/AKT signaling path-way,suppresses HCC cell proliferation and metastasis,and induces apoptosis and autophagy.These findings indicate that CRT0066101 is a promising small-mole-cule inhibitor for targeted HCC therapy with potential clinical applications.
10.Efficacy and potential mechanisms of Guizhi Jia Gegen decoction in a pneumonia-enteritis mouse model induced by H1N1 influenza
Yan FU ; Bao-xiang DU ; Qi-hui SUN ; Jing LIU ; Xiao-yun LIU ; Dong-xue YE ; Jia YANG ; Yong YANG ; Rong RONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2386-2393
Aim To explore the mechanism of action of Guizhi Jia Gegen decoction(GGD)in treating pneu-monia-enteritis induced by H1N1 influenza virus infec-tion in a mouse model,using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques,followed by in vivo verification.Methods A pneumonia-enteritis mouse model was established,and the intervention effects of GGD on the model mice were evaluated using indica-tors such as body weight,rectal temperature,lung in-dex,colon length,H1N1 M gene expression,relative mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines,and pathological sections of the lung and intestine.The targets of the blood-absorbed components of GGD were identified using the Swiss Target Prediction platform,and the disease targets were retrieved from the Gene-Cards platform.The intersecting targets were analyzed through PPI network analysis using the STRING data-base to identify core targets.GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the Metascape database.RT-qPCR was employed to vali-date the core targets and pathways.Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Tools software to verify the interactions between blood-absorbed components and key targets.Results GGD demonstrated signifi-cant therapeutic effects on the pneumonia-enteritis mouse model.The results of network pharmacology in-dicated that the therapeutic effects of GGD were strong-ly associated with targets such as TNF,ALB,PTGS2,MMP9,EGFR,ESR1,SRC,HSP90AA1,PPARG and MMP2.RT-qPCR results indicated that GGD could intervene in pneumonia-enteritis by regulating the targets TNF,ALB,EGFR and the related targets of the NF-κB pathway.Molecular docking results re-vealed that blood-absorbed components such as puerar-in and liquiritin could stably bind to TNF,ALB and EGFR.Conclusion Components such as puerarin and liquiritin in GGD may exert therapeutic effects on pneumonia-enteritis induced by H1N1 influenza virus infection by acting on targets such as TNF,ALB and EGFR.

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